Striking film and television writers stands next to a pile of protest signs as they picket outside Paramount Studios, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, in Los Angeles. The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said in a joint statement they will start informal discussions Wednesday aimed at full negotiations and an end to the nearly 3-month-old strike. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) Kevork Djansezian