WGWw member and writer on strike, writing here under the pseudonym A.E. Vogler, shares his experiences and pictures from the picket lines in front of Sony Studios in Culver City, CA on Day 3 of the writer's strike

DAY 3

Before getting on with today's report from the picket, I'd like to respond to a few questions I've received. First, does "Pencils Down" mean that I'm not allowed to write anything at all? Let me clarify. What I can't write is any script that I am under contract for. Nor can I discuss current, future or pending projects with producers, executives or representatives. I can write a spec, but I can't sell it. I can sell a poem, or a book, or a play, and I can write an email, or a blog, or draw a little picture of a waitress on a napkin. None of those mediums are under WGA jurisdiction. (And, as it happens, none of them pay much money.)

I also want to respond to this pressing question:

    From: Greta Vogler
    To: A.E. Vogler
    Are you wearing sunscreen? How about a broad-brimmed hat?

Rest assured, Mom, I wear sunscreen every day. Good looking out. Now, onto today's report.

Day three, studio three. Hit Sony this afternoon, where I am technically under contract to write a pilot for ABC. (Don't worry, my pencil is down. And why is that catch phrase starting to sound a little filthy?)

Strike Lesson #1: Always check the weather. Today was friggin' cold! I'm talking 65 degrees here. To my brethren in the Midwest I'm sure that sounds balmy. But there's something about LA 65 that makes it feel like 45 anywhere else. This guy was so cold he draped some kind of weird orange thing over his shoulders. I don't even think it's clothing.

On the topic of fashion, the latest trend is finding new ways to sport the requisite "strike red." Check out my man Jordan Roberts freakin it with the dope red cap and matching scarf. Jordan wrote the narration on MARCH OF THE PENGUINS, which sold approximately seven gazillion copies on DVD. Multiply that by four cents, suckas!

Other new trend: sandwich boards! Easier on the back. And your hands are free to stuff your face with free cookies.

This Sony exec hurried off the lot with her phone glued to her ear, walking briskly through the picket as she fired off script notes to some unknown person who is, presumably, scabbing. If anyone has means to hack AT&T phone records, we could have ourselves a good time tonight.

Be warned. The WGA is now recruiting ex-Navy Seals to infiltrate the picket lines. The man you see here has been given explicit instructions to hunt down one Nicholas Counter and take him out.

Best Picture winner Paul Haggis catching a smoke break. Not pictured are the six dozen people who were trampled as we all scrambled to light Paul's cigarette. But seriously. Paul has been out walking double shifts since Monday. The man deserves a cigarette.

They make it so easy to remember where you left your vehicle! I chose my favorite Ralph Machio film, THE KARATE KID. Remember the part where Mister Myiagi says, "Wax on, wax off?" Yeah, I bet you do. Did you know that line was written by Robert Mark Kamen? Without him, there would be no KARATE KID. Think he got residuals for reuse in this parking garage?

Night falls on Culver City.

On my way to the picket today, I stopped at a red light across from the studio. As I glanced in my rear view mirror, I noticed the woman in the car behind me drop her face into her hands. She was weeping. Maybe an admin at Sony, or production crew. They are the first to get hit in this strike as the studios cut their jobs. My camera in hand, I moved to snap her photo. But then I stopped. This strike has invaded her life enough already.

More tomorrow.

Click here to read Day 4