Writers Strike Ends After 146 Days, Though Hollywood Hiatus Continues
The nearly five month long Hollywood writers strike that has immobilized the industry seems to finally be reaching a conclusion, after its 146th day, as the WGA and AMPTP work to finalize a deal that aims to protect writers and support the longevity of their careers.
The WGA and AMPTP met for five consecutive days last week, beginning on Sept. 20, to negotiate for the first time in almost a month. The CEOs and high level executives for major studios including Netflix and Disney met with WGA representatives on Thursday and Friday in attempts to speed up the negotiation process, and ultimately arrived at a provisional contract deal that the WGA has deemed “exceptional.”
The deal is crucial to the future of writers, who are essentially the backbone of the industry, and this victory for the WGA is nothing short of climacteric, though long awaited. One aspect of the strike that caused contention among the two parties is the push to regulate artificial intelligence and its use in Hollywood writing processes. AI perhaps poses the greatest threat to the longevity of writers’ careers, especially for Black writers and creators of color. Many WGA members have expressed concern over the unregulated use of AI in Hollywood, and fear that it could impair efforts to diversify the industry. As AI becomes more advanced and accessible, if left unchecked, its use could lead to enhanced bias and discrimination in scripts, and the replacement of human writers. Because AI is such a new and rapidly progressing technology, establishing contractual regulations around it has proven difficult, but the deal that the WGA accepted is intended to restrict AI use and protect writers from replacement.
Much of the increased diversity in TV and film is owed to streaming outlets; 20 percent of films released straight to streaming services last year were credited to minority writers, compared to just 12.4 percent of theatrical releases, according to a UCLA study. Though, the residual compensation that writers receive is much less for streaming projects than for theatrical releases and broadcast work. Despite the rise in opportunity that streaming presents to BIPOC writers, the pay just isn’t there. Writers and storytellers of color shouldn’t have to sacrifice livable wages to be able to maintain an outlet to tell their stories in Hollywood. With this new AMPTP contract in place, things will begin to change, and writers will start to receive their earned compensation.
Members of the WGA celebrate a historic victory, which is wholly attributed to their strength in numbers and unionized solidarity. However, much of Hollywood will remain on pause for now as SAG-AFTRA, the actors union, continues on strike. Though, the tentative deal offered to the WGA is a beacon of hope that the industry will be back up and running again soon.
If you haven’t been keeping up with the WGA strike, check out my previous article over the topic – HERE.
