The back channel talks have turned into an official but secret meeting to discuss the information compiled by Directors in preparation for their talks with management that are now likely to begin in early January in Los Angeles.

By Alex Ben Block

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 12/17/2007 – While producers were hoping to sidestep the Writers Guild and establish a financial precedent with the Directors Guild, it is turning out they may be facing a semi-unified WGA-DGA.

The ammunition stockpiled by the directors as they prepare for negotiations on a new contract is now going to be openly shared with writers. In a column earlier today I told you that there were intense back channel talks between the Writers Guild and the Directors Guild of America over new media economic issues. Now it’s been made official. The writers said today in a short statement: “The Directors Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America will meet shortly to discuss new media, including what the DGA has developed from its research and studies.”

This is a reference to data developed by the Director’s Guild in recent months, some from outside consultants, on the market value of new media now and in the future.

If the two guilds can work closely on the new media issue, knowing the actors will likely follow the pattern they establish, it will present a more formidable front to management.

This was what I meant when I wrote earlier that the talks might be between management and the directors, but the actors will be looking over their shoulder.

The writers release today said that there would be no other information released: “Neither the WGA nor the DGA will have any further comment on the meeting or any of the information shared in the meeting.”