Shows could take several weeks to resume production

If the writers strike ended today, Hollywood would not immediately return to its regularly scheduled programming.

The risk of irreparable damage to the current and upcoming television season increases with each day the walkout continues. Still, there were no tangible signs of progress Tuesday, when negotiators for writers and the studios returned to the bargaining table for their second full day of talks since the strike began more than three weeks ago.

Although major differences divide them, the parties agreed to meet again today. The seriousness of the sessions has raised hopes that a deal could be reached before Christmas.

Even if that happens, however, Hollywood would not be back at work until after the holidays.

Before writers can pick up their pens, they may have to wait a week or more between the time when the Writers Guild of America's board approves a new three-year contract and when its members formally vote on the deal. Then writers are up against their traditional two-week hiatus in December, when networks rely heavily on reruns. That could prompt many writers to work through the holidays to complete scripts so that shows can start shooting again in January.

Writer-producers and studio executives estimate that it could take three to five weeks to resume production of dozens of television shows that have shut down. Many shows have run through their scripts, and some have only outlines of future episodes.

Further, it's unlikely that studios would start production again until they had several scripts in hand for a given series, as a way to avoid costly starts and stops.

Another factor that could slow down the process is that some crew members have found work elsewhere to make ends meet and may not be available to return to their old jobs.

"Resuming production isn't something that can happen overnight," said Pam Veasey, an executive producer of "CSI: NY," which will stop shooting Tuesday, having completed 14 of 24 episodes. "You have to write scripts, you have to find locations, you have to do casting. It doesn't just take one week to prepare 200 crew members to film a single episode of a drama."

Some shows will resume filming sooner than others, depending on how many scripts they completed. Late-night talk shows would be the first to return to the air with fresh material.

Situation comedies filmed before an audience, such as FOX's "Back to You," could be up and running within seven working days, according to show co-creator Steve Levitan. The show, which shut down when the strike began, has two scripts that just need polishing, Levitan said.

In contrast, other shows, such as the ABC series "Pushing Daisies," would take five weeks to gear up, according to creator Bryan Fuller. Production on "Pushing Daisies" ended Monday upon completion of the series' ninth episode.

Fuller pointed out that even when the strike ends, showrunners still face the possibility of a shortened season and cancellation of their series.

Whatever the cost of the strike, writers just want it to end.

"I'm going to choose to remain optimistic," Levitan said of the current negotiations. "I don't understand why this deal would take weeks to make while there's so much at stake."