Alaska Writer Vera Starbard recently hung banners on the deck of her Douglas home to show her support for the nationwide strike of writers.
Starbard who is an active participant in the Writers Guild of America union is a writer to be a part of the PBS Kids program “Molly of Denali” and the recently cancelled ABC show “Alaska Daily.“
Starbard was Lingit as well as Athabascan and also wrote scripts in the company of Perseverance Theatre.
The KTOO’s Chloe Pleznac spoke with Starbard about the banners and what she and writers who are working at the time in Los Angeles and New York City would like to accomplish.
This video interview is edited to improve clarity and length.
Chloe Pleznac: How long have you been a member with the Writers Guild of America union and do you think that it has helped you in your development as an artist?
Vera Starbard: I only had the opportunity to join this time in the year before, and only approximately seven, eight months ago was I somewhat of a card-carrying member of WGA. There were immediate benefits and perks that I had never imagined I’d receive as an author. As a creative writer who freelances You don’t have the expectation to receive things like retirement savings and health insurance — these kinds of things aren’t things you prepare for, or even. As an author, you sort of have to do. However, with WGA they demand employers to take care of the cost, and they provide all the benefits typical for workplace jobs, and we’re permitted to enjoy to enjoy them. Thus, already, right away, I’ve been receiving items that I’m sure the majority of salaried or full-time employees would expect but haven’t had the opportunity to experience. This has been fantastic.
Chloe Pleznac: You recently posted on social platforms about two banners you’ve put up on the front porch at the porch of your Douglas home. One of them reads “#WGAstrong” and the other reads “Alaska is a writer’s paradise.” What made you decide to place those posters up?
Vera Starbard: Part of this is because I’m watching all my buddies colleagues, coworkers, and coworkers who are in New York and LA -and some other places such as New Mexico and Atlanta -and – pickingeting. Then, literally cutting off productions in the quickest method of proving the studio more willing to engage in any kind of deal with us, in the end. And I felt very and felt like I could not perform my part. There’s no studios, or anything that shoots from here. However, there are 1.5 million passengers on cruise ships that pass through my home, which is in the middle of their journey to the docks and we should make them aware. Let’s try to bring awareness to all these visitors on this shoreline. One thing to note is that I’ve always observed Alaska to be incredibly accommodating of my writing as well as other artists and writers generally, but especially Juneau and Juneau in particular. But we also need to make the public to be aware. It could be that it’s obscure enough about”WGA Strong “WGA powerful” that I’d like to investigate it and find out what it’s about.
Chloe Peznac What do you think the strike can accomplish?
Vera Starbard: Ultimately, all we need is fair compensation fair benefits, fair pay, and the chance to make a an opportunity to make a living from this. What writers face is that they could be on one show, spend 10 weeks on the job in a row, and then that could be your entire career. It’s extremely difficult, even in the best conditions, to earn money as a TV writer or even a writer generally. What’s happening at the studios at present is that they’re reducing their hours of work, and they’re implementing procedures and policies which are pushing young writers out, and pushing writers from diverse backgrounds out, honestly. I’m not convinced that I’d be where I am today had the door not been opened a bit larger for me to be able to gain entry by a lot of other writers before me and opened the door. The thing that studios are doing in refusing to discuss fair pay by closing the door again. It makes me concerned about the prospects of Native writers to get into the business in any way, let alone earn a living from it. That’s why, ultimately fair pay. Also, just to earn a decent income as writer.
Chloe Pleznac: Are you getting any professional repercussions due to the strike?
Vera Starbard: Oh, sure. I immediately had to put aside certain projects I’m working on, and timestamp them, and not work on these until I know that the companies I’m contracting with to work on them be fair with us. Therefore, immediately, I needed to plan out for the summer months of what I was planning to be working on, and I’m completed. This means that my primary source of income is now done and also. There’s a certain sense of relief that’s immediate feeling. However, it’s also something that everyone who voted for 98% of us, stated, that’s right, “We would rather strike down and feel the short-term suffering of having no income, in order to pursue this job, so that we can build a successful career in the future”.
Chloe Pleznac: So Hollywood may seem very distant from Alaska. However, are there any ways Alaskans could be impacted by the strike in ways we wouldn’t anticipate?
Vera Starbard: Yeah, I believe that what viewers will be able to see, which type of common viewers — and I’m one beginning to notice delays in shows being released. Here I believe what viewers will notice is an overall loss of authenticity. If there aren’t any people who actually come from Alaska or who truly are knowledgeable about the subject in these shows, and Alaskans are who write on these shows about Alaska. They’re not all. It’s possible to identify the ones which clearly don’t have any influence from the actual Alaskans. However, there are a few out there and they’ll begin to recognize the difference.
Chloe Pleznac: So do we know how long this protest will last for? Are there any improvements made? I’m not sure if it’s something you’re allowed to reveal however I’m curious.
Vera Starbard: The WGA definitely keeps us up to date. It’s got tens of millions of writers, and only a handful are members of the negotiating committee which means we’re not present However, they do keep us updated. The problem is that we’re aware that the studios are not willing to even talk. It’s where they’re at. The very, very reasonable ideas that the writers made out, they weren’t even willing to talk about or discuss the proposals. They stated, “We reject it, we’re not willing to discuss it.” As of now the studio’s hands. They’re not even talking. So, yeah that it’s likely to be a long-term strike. It’s kind of the expectation, is it. The biggest issue at the moment is that both directors’ union as well as the union of actors are preparing for contract negotiations too. In a matter of days and weeks, it’s bound to be some sort of movement from them. They’ve also been extremely accommodating to the writers. Actually, the entire kind of everyone at the lower level has been extremely accommodating to the writers, since we’re all sort of on the same page. We’re all being in the exact same way because of low-paying and unjust agreements … I think this will last at least the end of June and July. However, that’s only my personal and personal opinion. This is due to the changes that are going to happen to the actors’ and directors unions that everyone has been so supportive and eager to participate in the fight. And they’ve been participating in the fight. There have been numerous directors and actors striking and protesting along with us. This is a great indicator of what’s to come. However, things are going to get messy.
Chloe Pleznac: I am truly grateful to you for making the effort to speak about me.
Vera Starbard: Yeah no, gunalcheesh. Thank you for inviting me.
Vera Starbard is on KTOO’s Board of Directors.
