Writers seen turning to animation if strike long

By Sue Zeidler

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Cartoon characters may come to the aid of striking Hollywood screenwriters if the Writers Guild of America's two-day-old walkout turns out to be prolonged.

Most animated shows are covered by a different union from the Writers Guild and are unaffected by the WGA strike. In addition, the WGA has withdrawn objections to its members working in animation.

Some 12,000 WGA members went on strike against film and television studios on Monday, jeopardizing America's hit TV shows including some animated programs like "The Simpsons," which are covered under WGA contracts.

But many other animated films and TV shows are covered by a separate union whose members remain on the job, said Steven Hulett of the Animation Guild Local 839, part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

The two guilds clashed recently when the WGA proposed a strike rule threatening members who entered a writing contract on animated features with fines and loss of membership. After protests, the WGA said the proposed rule was modified.

"Now writers can write for animated features," Hulett said, adding that many writers are still nervous. "I suspect we'll get more (calls) over the next few weeks, if the strike goes on for long."

"A GREAT RELATIONSHIP"

Hulett said various WGA members have made and renewed deals to work at DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. and other animation studios in recent weeks.