BEIJING, Nov. 2 -- The specter of a Hollywood film and TV writers strike that could begin as soon as Friday loomed over negotiations between representatives of the Writers Guild of America and officials from major studios after talks adjourned without resolution late Wednesday.

       A key point of contention in the current negotiation is how writers will be paid for digital distribution of their work via the Internet, cellphones and other means. But on Wednesday night, the studios issued a statement indicating the talks are currently stalled on the writers' intention of garnering a bigger piece of DVD sales.

       Writers have long been bitter that the deal setting their share of home-entertainment revenues, which was set before that business exploded, is disadvantageous. Nick Counter, president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (MPTP), said the guild's effort to revisit the issue is "a complete roadblock to any further progress."

       A spokesman for the writers, meanwhile, said the studios "refused to continue to bargain unless we agree that the hated DVD formula be extended to Internet downloads."

       On Oct. 19, WGA members overwhelmingly authorized their leadership to call a strike should the deadline pass without a new agreement. The WGA could call for a walkout as early as Thursday, but has scheduled a general meeting for its 12,000 voting members Thursday night at the Los Angeles Convention Center to discuss strike issues. That meeting could pave the way for a strike beginning Friday morning.

       The two sides have been meeting sporadically since July 16 with little noticeable progress. Should the writers go on strike, they would likely be supported by members of the local Teamsters union, which represents many movie studio truck drivers and other studio workers. Should the Teamsters refuse to cross WGA picket lines, Hollywood's entertainment production machine would basically grind to an immediate halt.