Hollywood readies for possible strike: Nov. 1 scenario takes on new weight

08 Oct 2007, By DAVE MCNARY, JOSEF ADALIAN, Variety.com

“Networks and studios have started thinking about the unthinkable this week.

The harsh rhetoric surrounding the WGA negotiations plus the guild’s recent move to seek strike authorization have convinced execs that the threat of a Nov. 1 strike may be very real. A possible lockout is also being discussed.

“We are trying to get as much stuff as possible shoved through,” said one studio VP. “It’s as hot as I’ve ever seen it. And whether or not they strike on Nov. 1, we have to act as if they will.”

On the feature side, studios are no longer taking writing pitches and are pretty much limiting themselves to making deals on fully developed packages. Warner Bros. and Universal, for example, have put out the word to agents: Don’t bring in any spec scripts until the situation resolves itself…” [more]