Writers, Producers Optimistic as Talks Resume

"Reasonableness ruled the day” during yesterday’s renewed negotiations between producers and striking screenwriters, an insider tells Deadline Hollywood Daily scoop artist Nikki Finke. Producers and writers reviewed the status of proposals outlined Nov. 4 before talks broke off and the strike began, with plans to resume today, when "they really start advancing the ball," says a source.

The location of the meetings is secret, and neither side is issuing end-of-day statements, "because no one wants to be the one to derail any progress,” said an insider. Variety's sources took a gloomier stance; some said the meeting was little more than a publicity stunt, and the unknown distance between the sides' stances was causing worry. (More Writers Guild of America stories.)