United Hollywood preps for life after strike

One of the undisputed success stories of the writers strike has been United Hollywood, the blog founded by four strike captains that quickly became an unofficial hub for WGA members seeking news and commentary about the strike and the contract negotiations.

Now that the strike is all but over, United Hollywood’s stewards are vowing to keep the blog alive as a showcase for original digital content and as a forum for parsing industry issues from the creative community’s perspective. Blog has drawn more than than 20,000 visitors per day since it bowed a few days before the walkout began on Nov. 5, according to co-founder John Aboud.

“The name United Hollywood means something to people now, and we want to fulfill that promise,” Aboud said. “We want to move from a stance where we’re talking about the fight for the digital future to helping to build the digital future. We want to  help foster collaboration among writers and all aspects of the business. We all have a vested stake in the expansion of opportunity that digital (production and distribution) creates.”

Of course, United Hollywood will also keep a close watch on the next big labor negotiation looming this year between the Screen Actors Guild and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. And they will pay close attention to the WGA’s efforts to organize staffers working on reality shows and animated productions.

But now that scribes are going back to work, United Hollywood’s four founders, Aboud, Laeta Kalogridis, Daniel Thomsen and Kate Purdy, have regular gigs to go back to. The foursome, who have been running the site collectively out of their homes, are in the midst of recruiting like-minded people to take the reins, and they’re looking for a central location for it to call home.

United Hollywood is also in the process of lining up advertising and charter sponsors to fund their long-term plans. The site is a few weeks away from unveiling an elaborate redesign that will emphasize its original video offerings and broaden its news and commentary sections beyond labor issues.

Aboud said they’re hoping United Hollywood will become akin to a Huffington Post for showbiz insiders.

“We want to give more individuals a voice on the site,” Aboud said. “We’re looking for more contributors.”

-- Cynthia Littleton

Comments

[Lou Peixoto]

This is the success story for sure and so many others to arrive with this new door for a forum of open ideas! Is the place that all can share concerns e new opportunities to the future that is this industry.Congratulations!