Dear Mark Schwahn,
Having just watched the final episode of the 6th season of One Tree Hill (OTH), where every one of the main characters seem to be "happy" and "going in positive directions" in their lives, I read that the two most important characters in the whole OTH series, Lucas Scott and Peyton (Sawyer) Scott, are not going to return in season 7 of OTH. I know that 2009 has been a difficult year for OTH, and all the actors on OTH. With the threat of a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) strike, closely following the writers strike in 2008, with the "impossible 2008-2009 time slot" (Monday at 9 PM opposite "24", "Monday Night Football", etc.) that The CW Network assigned to OTH, with the "minuscule" publicity which OTH receives in comparison to The CWs new shows ("Gossip Girl", "90210", "The Next Top Model", etc.), and the "total void" in which the actors in OTH are placed by the national entertainment media (such as "People", "TV Guide", etc.), OTH has had it "rough" in season six. Despite all these negative factors, OTH had 1.5-3 million fans on a regular basis, and was renewed for season 7 earlier than in most prior years. How can things get "worse"? Here is how. Lose the top two characters in the cast of OTH because satisfactory contract terms cannot be reached. Not "minor actors", who could be "replaced" with new characters, but the lead male character (Lucas Scott), through whose "eyes" the whole OTH story line "unfolds", and his "muse" and "soul mate" (and now wife and mother to his new baby daughter, Sawyer) Peyton Sawyer Scott. These characters are "irreplaceable" and are both "vital" to the "continuity" of the story line from OTH seasons 1-6.
I cannot speak for Chad Michael Murray (CMM) (Lucas Scott), because OTH is his third successful series (preceded by "Dawson's Creek" and "Gilmore Girls"). However, Hilarie Burton (Peyton Sawyer Scott) has "grown up" and "matured" as an actress in OTH, her first and only TV series. She and her family live in Wilmington, NC where OTH is produced. Hilarie has started her own production company, Southern Gothic Productions, based in Wilmington, NC. Hilarie has married, and apparently divorced Ian Prange, the son of Greg Prange, one of the executive producers/directors of OTH. Based on the on-screen interaction between Mark Schwahn and Hilarie Burton, she is one of his favorite actors on the OTH series. I cannot understand how the "negotiations" for a 1-3 year extension of the contracts of the five major stars of OTH (CMM, Hilarie Burton, Sophia Bush, James Lafferty, and Bethany Joy Galeotti) could have gotten so "messed up" that the two main characters' (Lucas and Peyton) contracts were not (or have not yet been?) renewed. This is sort of like trying to produce the "John Stewart Show" WITHOUT John Stewart under contract. Peyton and Lucas are "key" to a "successful" OTH season 7. Hilarie Burton and Chad Michael Murray are "vital" to a successful OTH season 7.
Why should Hilarie Burton return to OTH? Hilarie once compared her time on MTV's TRL as equivalent to "college" for her. If that is so, OTH was the continuation of her "higher education" as an actress. If TRL "started" her "college" experience, then OTH continued it for the equivalent of "three more years" (one "college" semester for each 23 episode season (year) of OTH). Hilarie has gone from age 21 to age 27 (on July 1, 2009) on OTH. She has completed her "bachelors degree in acting" during OTH seasons 1-6, but she "needs" to complete her "masters degree in acting" by staying at least 1-3 more years with OTH.
Hilarie "needs" the steady salary of a regular acting job in the OTH TV series to help fund her new pursuit of her own production company, Southern Gothic Productions (SGP). She could gain valuable experience if she could help "produce" one or more OTH episodes in season 7. This is a "unique" opportunity for Hilarie Burton, and a "negotiating" advantage she can use to establish a new contract. She can, in essence, "invest in herself", by "deferring" current compensation in exchange for "future income" from the revenues from the syndication of OTH and future associated sales. IF she "trades off" "producer credits" (for herself, SGP partner, Kelly Tenney, and SGP) on OTH season 7 (and beyond?) for a "reduced" current salary in her new contract.
If Hilarie Burton (and SGP?) became one of the "producers" of OTH, then she would be following in the footsteps of several of her peer actresses, such as Jennifer Love Hewitt ("Ghost Whisperers"), and Holly Marie Combs and Alyssa Milano ("Charmed"), by sharing "production" of the TV series in which they starred. This would provide a "steady source" of future "revenues" for SGP, even after OTH ceases production, from a portion of continuing revenues from syndication of the OTH TV series to Soap Net, as well as private CD/DVD sales. By taking "producer credits" now, in lieu of a "larger" salary, Hilarie can reduce her current "cost" to OTH, while increasing the future "revenues" for SGP. Everyone, especially all Hilarie's fans of her continuing role as Peyton Sawyer Scott on OTH in season 7 (and beyond?), "gains" from this exchange.
CMM has both written and directed episodes of OTH during season 6, and Bethany Joy Galeotti and James Lafferty have both directed OTH episodes in season 6. If "production" is her "desire", then Hilarie should help "produce" one or more episodes of OTH in season 7, individually and/or through SGP, and gain that "experience". OTH Creator Mark Schwahn has been willing in the past to "share" production, writing, and direction of OTH episodes with other cast members. Hilarie should take advantage of this opportunity, while she is an active cast member of OTH season 7. I am "confident" that Mark Schwahn would allow her that "flexibility" in a new contract extension IF she would "negotiate" as such in good faith.
Of all the actors on OTH, Hilarie Burton has the "deepest roots" in Wilmington, NC. She has her home, family, and friends there, and she now has her production company there. Hilarie wants to make "southern" films with "southern" actors, and Wilmington, NC may become the "center" of East Coast movie productions, if SGM expands from 9 to 15 sound stages as is projected over the next 3-5 years.
Ellie (Peyton's "birth mother" in OTH) described Peyton as "... beautiful, funny, intelligent, and talented; There is nothing that you (Peyton) can't do if you set your mind to it ...". Those words could just as well describe Hilarie Burton at this stage of her career in the entertainment industry. At age 26, she is too "smart" (and "too young"?) to let the opportunities from the continuance of a successful OTH TV series in season 7 (and beyond?) be "held hostage" to "difficulties" in negotiating an extension to her OTH contract. At this point in the U.S. economic recession, a "job" in a successful project (OTH) "prevents" at least "2-3 years" of "looking" ("auditioning"?) for another acting position of "comparable worth". Hilarie has made several movies while starring in OTH, but none of these films has given her the "freedom" ("exposure" and "range"?) to develop her acting abilities to the same extent that OTH has done.
Hilarie (and CMM as well) should ask her "peers" from "Dawson's Creek", "Gilmore Girls" , "The O.C.", and "Roswell" how they "fared" when their TV series were terminated. How long did it take them to get their next "comparable" acting job? I hope that whatever "impasse" has prevented OTH from signing CMM and Hilarie Burton to contract extensions for OTH season 7 and beyond can be overcome. OTH will not be the same successful show without them. Neither Hilarie nor CMM will be as "successful" without OTH as they would be if they stayed with the show until it ends, or they reach their "30s", whichever occurs first. CMM and Hilarie should ask Mischa Barton (age 23) what her career was like after she "left" "The O.C." TV series before it ended?
Please, Hilarie, stay with OTH. Become a "producer" of OTH and pursue both your "passions", acting and producing. Please, Mark Schwahn, give Hilarie the "chance" to do so. All "true fans" of OTH cannot imagine season 7 without either Lucas (CMM) or Peyton (Hilarie). Together, they are the "heart" and "soul" of OTH. Their continuing "love story" ("fairy tale romance"?) is the "glue" which holds OTH together. Lucas "ties" Nathan, Haley, Brooke, and Peyton all together. Peyton ties Brooke, Lucas, and Nathan together. Without Lucas' and Peyton's "intellect", "morality", "stability", and "optimism", OTH is just another "run of the mill" "soap opera". In a cast of five major young stars, Hilarie and CMM are the "most important" to the OTH story line from seasons 1-6. If all the OTH stars at the end of season 6 had "happy outcomes", how, "rationally," could OTH season 7 proceed without Lucas, Peyton, and baby Sawyer? I am sure that when, in Feb 2009, The CW Network "renewed" OTH for season 7, CW did not think the OTH season 7 (and beyond?) they were "buying" would be without Lucas and Peyton, the two lead characters. Comments?
"One Tree Hill" (OTH): What's going on with its stars?
The young stars (Burton, Murray, Galeotti, Lafferty, and Bush) should read The Wall Street Journal (TWSJ) article of April 2, 2009, entitled: "Hollywood Squeezes Stars' Pay In Slump", before they "hold out" for new contracts, since OTH has already been renewed by The CW Network for Season Seven (S-7). The TWSJ article says that Hollywood studios are now negotiating to pay their movie stars with "last dollars earned" rather than "first dollars earned" as in the past. The studios want to get back their expenses BEFORE they pay the stars with box office revenues earned. Example: If a movie cost $50 Million to make, and the box office receipts were only $25 Million, then there would be no "profits" until after market and overseas DVD sales etc., exceeded $50 Million. The stars would get a lesser "salary" while the movie was being produced, but the box office sales revenues would have to exceed total studio costs before the stars made any additional money.
One of the issues involved in the potential Screen Actors' Guild (SAG) "strike" threat is giving the actors a share of future DVD and Internet "royalties" on the movies in which they star. This is especially important for stars like Hilarie Burton where several of her movies have gone straight (or simultaneously with box office release) to DVD ("The List"; "The Secret Life of Bees") with limited or no "box office" revenues from walk-in theater sales. All actors should get a share of royalties from DVD and Internet (or any media) sales of their works, but the studios have monopolized this source of revenue in the past. This is definitely an issue for "non-Mega" stars ("Mega Stars" usually make most of their money in "up front" payments before or during the production phase of a movie before there are ANY box office revenues), where box office sales are "unpredictable", but revenues over time from DVD and Internet sales could be substantial.
During these stressed economic times, when the general public laborer constantly fears losing their job, the young stars of OTH, with a "hit" TV series which has been renewed for S-7, should seek reasonable contracts, in line with OTH TV ratings and ad revenues, but not "hold out" for overly lucrative contracts which cannot be sustained by revenues present or future. If they want to wait to "sign" a new contract until the SAG strike issue has been settled, and royalty issue discussions have been concluded, that is understandable, but with production of OTH S-7 starting in the Summer of 2009, the "core cast" of OTH for S-7 should NOT BE IN DOUBT, because it affects the whole story line of future OTH episodes.
Based on the career paths of past "young stars" in discontinued prime time TV series (exs: "Roswell"; "Dawson's Creek", "The O.C."), NONE of the OTH major stars are "ready" to pursue individual "leading actor" roles in big production movies. Each of the OTH stars have "unique" opportunities, under the stability of the OTH series' "umbrella", to pursue career "growth" and "broadening" paths without major risk or financial penalty. Chad Michael Murray (CMM) has written and directed episodes of OTH. Bethany Joy Galeotti has directed and sung in episodes, and pursued a separate music career. Hilarie Burton has started her own production company and pursued several career broadening movie opportunities, while advancing her acting talents within OTH. Sophia Bush has starred in at least one movie ("The Hitcher") as well as advanced her literary interests as a journalist, while honing her acting skills within OTH. James Lafferty, the youngest (24 years old) of the OTH stars, has pursued outside charitable interests as well as built acting credentials and experience within OTH.
The bottom line is this: OTH has been "good" for its young stars, and up to this point, the stars have been loyal to OTH. OTH has been renewed for S-7 in 2009-2010. A "logical" OTH story line progression depends on the "retention" of, at least, the five major stars, Hilarie Burton (Peyton Sawyer), CMM (Lucas Scott), James Lafferty (Nathan Scott), Bethany Joy Galeotti ( Haley James Scott), and Sophia Bush (Brooke Davis). The "logical continuity" of the OTH story line depends on the maturation and interaction of these five characters, along with their supporting cast. If Burton "leaves", Peyton's story line "dies", and Lucas' "life long, "soul mate", love interest is gone. If CMM leaves, Lucas' story line "dies", and Peyton is left without her "soul mate" (no more Leyton!). If Bush leaves, Brooke's story line "dies", Peyton loses her best friend, and there is no "Brucas" or companion "love story" to counterbalance the relationships of "Naley" and "Leyton". If Galeotti or Lafferty leaves, the Nathan or Haley story line "dies", and there is no "Naley", no brother, best friend and confidant for Lucas, no mother or father for Jamie (Brundage), and no "basketball" or "teaching" theme for OTH. Like the TV series "Friends", which eventually produced one "Mega Star" (Jennifer Aniston) and five "A/B" level stars, the TV series prospered while all six stars STAYED TOGETHER, and "folded" (ended), when their individual ambitions began to get "too big for the Friend's "pond"". Only one "Friends" cast member has unquestionably succeeded and prospered, Jennifer Aniston, but the other five cast members have only had sporadic success.
My "advice" to the major stars of OTH is to continue to "dance with the girl whom you brought". Stay with OTH as long as you have a loyal fan base (3 million plus fans), the OTH story lines are challenging and rewarding personally and professionally, you are growing within the profession and are pursuing interests which bring you personal satisfaction, for as long as The CW Network (or some other network) wants you, and you are compensated commensurately with your age, talent, and comparative "worth" in the profession. In an economic recession, if you have a job, stay with it. The "grass" on the other side of the fence is NOT "greener", it is just "different", and the "animals" on the other side of the fence already have "first choice" on the "grass" you can only "see". You are all 26-28 years old, or younger, and that is "immature" for your profession. No major film producer, studio, or TV executive is going to "risk" their "capital" in this economic environment on "unproven" (new and unfamiliar) "leading actors", and no new TV series, if you could get one, is going to be as "nurturing" as OTH has been, and probably will continue to be. Negotiate fairly and, as a group, if you need to do so, but do not leave this "horse" (OTH) in "mid stream", when the "bank" (S-7) is within your "grasp".
“To: Mark Schwahn, Creator, One Tree Hill”
Dear Mark,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for allowing Peyton and Lucas to become “engaged” in One Tree Hill (OTH), Season 6, Episode 1. Please, please, please let them get married, become an “inseparable couple”, and experience some wedded bliss and happiness before you challenge them with more of life’s misfortunes. Peyton and Lucas are so perfect, physically and emotionally, for each other, and compliment and fulfill each other in every way, that the whole OTH story line only makes “sense” when they are together, as they are now. There are so many “options”, twists and turns, in the plot line available to you and your writers with Peyton and Lucas together as a couple, and the current “status quo” in their relationship is so satisfying to most of the OTH fans. With Peyton and Lucas together, you can pursue a “Brooke and Chase” relationship option, allow Lindsey to find a new someone else in NYC, and pursue other plot options for Haley, Nathan, James, Dan, Karen, Skills, Mouth, etc.
Here is a thought on how you could even bring Jake (Bryan Greenberg) back into the OTH story line, as a friend of Peyton and Lucas, NOT as a rival to Lucas for Peyton’s affections. Allow Peyton to pursue online internet classes in computer graphics design and animation through the Savannah College of Art and Design ( SCAD). The idea is for Peyton to expand her music management business beyond the Tree Hill, NC area.
Peyton realizes that there are multitudes of talented vocalists and amateur musical performers, who have “virtuoso voices”, but faces, figures, and “stage presence”, which are not “mainstream”. Peyton recognizes the potential to expand her Tree Hill music management business into “music oriented virtual publishing”, and take advantage of this almost “inexhaustible” talent pool.
Peyton conceives of creating “Virtual Video Music Recording Artists”, where actual human voices are paired with copyrighted, unique, male and female “Virtual Musical Avatars” (VMA). VMAs would “perform” on computer graphics rich, music videos, marketed on DVD/CD, along with computer graphics books or “comics”.
To explore the potential for this new music art form, Peyton realizes she needs to get more computer programming, graphic design, and animation knowledge. Pursuing Web-based computer coursework through SCAD in Savannah, GA would allow Peyton to visit the campus of SCAD in Savannah every three or four months. While in Savannah, Peyton could resume her friendship with Jake and his daughter Jenny. Jake could even pursue a business “musical management” relationship with Peyton (if Bryan Greenberg is “available” to return in a recurring role to OTH), either as a solo singer, or as a song writer. Peyton could even apply the VMA music art form to children's’ educational books and music videos. There could be a “tie in” to Brooke’s new line of Clothes Over Bro's children’s clothes? Please think about it.
“Leyton Lovers” must be “ecstatic” about the direction of the current OTH story line thus far in Season 6. When Peyton and Lucas “kiss”, there is a genuine “warmth” that comes from knowing that their “bond” is “destined”, a coming together of true “soul mates”. Peyton and Lucas are so “compatible”, physically “matched”, and “intellectually” stimulating to one another. They are both OTH “good persons”. They “complete” one another, making up for each other’s character flaws. When Lucas is thinking about Peyton, there are “no limits” to his creativity. Peyton is Lucas’ “Muse”. When Peyton is with Lucas, she has the self confidence, praise, appreciation, and “approval”, which she needs to reach her full potential. There is no other “pairing” in the OTH character pool which is so “right” and “natural”.
Mark, please do not go “too dark” in OTH Season 6. After only two S6 episodes, you have had Brooke “assaulted”, and “killed off” Q. Is there any “logical” explanation for why Brooke would contact Deb, rather than Haley and/or Nathan, for help when she was assaulted?
Brooke is Jamie’s “God Mother”. She picks up Jamie from school very often. Brooke is Haley’s best girl friend in Tree Hill. Brooke would “logically” seek help from Haley if Lucas and Peyton were out of town. Brooke barely knows Deb, and the only thing Deb has to offer Brooke is her familiarity with hand guns. It makes no sense that Brooke would contemplate “killing” her Mother over their C/B business dispute. Why else would Brooke need a gun? Personal defense? Please do not “ruin” Brooke’s character with some misguided “revenge” motive.
Brooke is the most “optimistic” of all the OTH characters. Brooke’s “inner strength” is why she can “bounce back” from any “set back”. There are far better ways (legal action?) for Brooke to deal with her Mother than to use a gun. If you are pursuing some “anti-gun” “social comment”, please don’t “sacrifice” Brooke in the process.
Mark, The CW Network seems to “disrespect” OTH, and its actors, when it comes to show publicity and schedule “slots”. Half of the publicity advertising spots during a typical OTH show broadcast are for “Gossip Girl”, “90210”, or some other new CW TV show. With the exception of Chad Michael Murray’s 2008 Teen Choice Award for Best Male Actor in a TV Drama (and both Hilarie Burton’s and Sophia Bush’s nominations for 2008 Teen Choice Award for Best Actress in a TV Drama), OTH has gotten the “shaft” all summer regarding OTH 6. Part of that is due to the “self-imposed secrecy” about to whom Lucas “proposed marriage” in the last episode of OTH 5.
For example, what “brilliant” CW Network scheduler slotted OTH against Monday Night NFL Football in the Monday, 9 PM slot? OTH was “securely” (and dominantly) slotted for years on Tuesday nights at 9 PM. That slot was “awarded” to the new CW show, “ Privileged”. Why not slot “Gossip Girl” and “One Tree Hill” on Wednesday night at 8 PM and 9 PM respectively, and move “Next Top Model” and “Privileged” to either Monday or Friday night with their largely “all female” audience?
Another “dis” of OTH occurred in July, 2008, when the 26th birthdays of OTH costars, Hilarie Burton (July 1) and Sophia Bush (July 8), were NOT shown in TV Guide, People Magazine, or local newspapers, whereas the 27th birthday of Rachel Bilson (costar of the former TV show, "The O.C.") in Aug. 2008 was prominently displayed in TV Guide magazine. I know that the OTH cast relishes their “personal privacy” and relative "anonymity" in NC, and I admire and respect them for that. However, OTH, and the cast themselves, suffers when the Entertainment Media don’t think the birthdays of two of the CW Network’s highest rated TV show’s lead actresses are not “important” enough to even mention in print.
I personally think Hilarie Burton and Sophia Bush are two of the most talented and beautiful young actresses in TV and movies today. Ms Burton and Ms Bush deserve better treatment by the Entertainment Media. I guess if you are a “good person” (like Burton and Bush are) in your private life, off screen, the Media don’t consider you to be “news worthy”?
Mark, unless you and/or the OTH actors/actresses get “bored” with the TV series, there is no reason that the OTH TV series should not easily reach 200 episodes (10 years?), or beyond. OTH fans are certainly behind you and devoted to the TV series. Comments?
