Kenosha screenwriter weighs in on looming writers strike in Hollywood

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- TV show and movie writers are planning to strike as soon as Tuesday morning if demands for more money aren't met.

The union's contract ends at the end of day on Monday.

If an agreement between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) isn't reached, writers plan to walk off the job, meaning tv shows and movies may go off air or be delayed until both sides get what they want. 

Michael Corcoran of Kenosha has been writing movies since high school.

His first script to be sold and premiere on the silver screen, "Righteous Thieves," earned Corcoran his spot in WGA last year.

"Part of building a career in the industry is getting that Guild card in the mail with your name on it," Corcoran said.

When the clock strikes midnight in California, Corcoran and more than 11,000 other writers will learn if the union will strike over failed contract negotiations with the studios.

"They keep saying at 12:01 tonight it will be pencils down and hopefully that's not the case," Corcoran said.

WGA is asking for increased pay and a revised residual formula, saying streaming disrupted the industry.

AMPTP told CBS News in a statement that they're committed to reaching a mutually beneficial deal.

"Nobody wants to strike, but we have to if that's what it comes to," Corcoran said. "Not asking for the moon and stars, just really looking for that fair pay."

Corcoran said he fully supports a strike but fears it will keep him and others from working on new shows and movies. 

"I just sent out a project, a script to a producer at the end of last week, hoping that they'd be interested in optioning it or buying it or packaging it, but if we go on strike tonight, midnight, that's kind of I don't want to say dead in the water, but it's all on pause for gosh, who knows how long," Corcoran said.

WGA is already making signs for a possible strike.

Corcoran's day job as a teacher will prevent him from joining the picket line in Hollywood, but he does plan to take part from Kenosha.

"They gave us a list of cities if you're willing to strike, and I was kind of disappointed Chicago or Milwaukee weren't on the list," Corcoran said. "So, I replied back that there's things that I can do. I can make phone calls. I can make those social media posts. I can fundraise."

The last strike in 2007 lasted 100 days. The longest strike lasted five months.