Striking writers take to streets

Singer Alicia Keys kicked off the rally with a live performance

Striking writers have staged a rally in central Hollywood ahead of next week's resumption of contract talks between their union and the major studios.

Grey's Anatomy actress Sandra Oh was at the march, which Alicia Keys began with a performance of her latest single.

Organisers said the rally drew between 3,000 and 4,000 marchers, though police put the number closer to 1,500.

The writers strike began on 5 November, prompted by a disagreement over royalty payments for DVD and internet sales.

The rally, held on the 16th day of industrial action, was the Writers Guild of America's last display of solidarity ahead of the US Thanksgiving holiday.

Talks between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are scheduled to resume on 26 November.

Non-affiliated

The effects of the strike have been felt across the industry, with daily talk shows cancelled and shooting on top-rated dramas curtailed due to a lack of scripts.

Several big-budget film productions - among them Angels and Demons, a prequel to The Da Vinci Code - have also been put back due to strike-related script delays.

UK writers who are not affiliated with the WGA have been approached to fill the breach, according to the Daily Telegraph.

However, the Writers Guild of Great Britain has advised its members not to take work that would have been taken by striking American writers.

About 500 television and radio writers working for CBS News also voted to strike on Monday following their own contract dispute with the US TV network.