Guide to the Writers Strike
Written by Matt Lathrom
This pivotal moment is all about championing fair pay and better working conditions for the people who dream up our favorite movies and shows. Use this guide to better understand the who's involved and what's at stake.
Key Players
SAG-AFTRA
The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is the union for actors and other media professionals.
AMPTP
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers represents the big film and TV production companies.
Key Issues
Streaming Media Residuals
In the world of writing, income comes from two sources: an initial payment for their work, and residuals - small profit shares from the sale or airing of their creations. But with the rise of ad-free, on-demand streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+, these residuals are drying up. This change hits hard for writers, who often rely on these funds during their off-months between projects.
Check out Vox's great video on this.
Artificial Intelligence
AI advancements are shaking up global job markets, particularly in content creation. As studios aim to boost profits, writers are on guard against potential misuse of these technologies. Imagine a studio taking a human-written screenplay, running it through an AI for a rewrite, and then claiming no residuals are due because the 'original' text no longer exists. It's a brave new world, and writers are fighting to ensure their rights aren't left in the dust.
Here's a great breakdown from CNBC.
Timeline
November 7, 2022
The WGA announces the members of its negotiating committee, with David Young as chief negotiator. The Wrap
April 18, 2023
97.85% of members of the WGA vote to go on strike if they failed to reach a deal with the AMPTP. Variety
May 1, 2023
The Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA), which covered most of the work done by WGA writers, expires. Deadline
May 10, 2023
WGA announces that $1.7 million has been pledged to the Entertainment Community Fund to help struggling entertainment professionals. The Wrap
June 9, 2023
Lionsgate suspends BMF producer Ian Woolf following an altercation with striking writers. THR
July 11, 2023
Dealine reports that AMPTP plans to let strike persist until strikers are forced to relent. Deadline
Read the Agreement
The WGA and AMPTP reached a deal with big wins in residuals, staffing, and AI. Get a summary of the deal and read the official contract.
Links
- WGA On Strike
- Entertainment Community Fund
- WGA Strike Resources 2023 | Think Tank For Inclusion & Equity
- 2023 Writers Guild of America strike | Wikipedia
- Hollywood’s writers are on strike. Here’s why that matters. | VOX
Support the Storytellers
The Entertainment Community Fund provides financial aid and resources to those affected by work stoppages, including the writers and actors strike. Your donation can help keep the creativity flowing even in tough times.
