KEY POINTS
- The studio negotiator Carol Lombardini asked to speak with the Writers Guild of America on Friday regarding the prospect of resuming negotiation with the guild, the guild informed the striking screenwriters.
- Although the meeting request is not a guarantee that producers and writers will start talking again, it is the first indication of movement in the impasse between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion
- Picture and Television Producers since the strike started in early May.
- The relationship is already stressful, but fiery language and striking actors have increased the pressure.Producers are requesting a meeting as the Hollywood writers strike approaches its 100th day as demand from striking actors grows.
Screenwriters were informed by the Writers Guild of America that studio negotiator Carol Lombardini asked to speak with them on Friday regarding the prospect of resuming talks with the guild.
The guild alerted members on Tuesday to “be wary of rumors, as we’ve said before.” If there’s anything significant to report, you’ll hear straight from us.
Although the meeting request is not a guarantee that producers and writers will start talking again, it is the first indication of movement in the impasse between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers since the strike started in early May.
The request is made at a time when the AMPTP is under increasing pressure to settle the labor issues in the coming weeks.
The first simultaneous actors’ and writers’ strikes since 1960 occurred last month when tens of thousands of performers took to the picket lines, stopping Hollywood activities.
Fran Drescher, the president of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), has taken a tough stance against the AMPTP, openly denouncing studio executives and sticking to their demands.
Aside from seeking better pay and working conditions, Hollywood artists also want to establish guidelines for the usage of artificial intelligence in upcoming TV shows and motion pictures. In addition, the union is requesting that streaming platforms provide more viewership information so that payments can made equitable to linear TV.
Declared in public and private every day since July 12, SAG-AFTRA national executive director and principal negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said, “We are ready, willing, and able to return to the table at any time.” Since the AMPTP informed us on July 12 that they would not be prepared to continue conversations for a considerable amount of time, we have not heard from them. We implore the parties to return to the negotiation table in order to expeditiously resume work in the industry, since dialogue is the only way to resolve a strike.
It is still “committed to finding a path to mutually advantageous deals with both unions,” according to a statement from the AMPTP.
In addition, there is growing strain with industry writers. Last month, rumors circulated regarding strategies studio producers supposedly intended to use against writers. These strategies included waiting months for employees to run out of money and maybe lose their homes, which would have forced them to negotiate.
Studio executives have continued to voice their opinions about what they view as irrational contract requests, despite the AMPTP’s denial of these reports.
The WGA is requesting new regulations requiring studios to staff television series with a specific number of writers for a specified amount of time, as well as increased remuneration and residuals, especially with regard to streaming shows.
In addition, the guild is requesting payment for all pre-, production-, and post-production work. Nowadays, authors are frequently requested to provide fresh content or make revisions—often without receiving anything.
Concerns about artificial intelligence being used to write scripts are also shared by the WGA.
Hollywood producers face an even more difficult situation due to the suspension of film and television projects, resulting in a disarray of release dates. The coming fall television season is anticipated to be disrupted, while movies scheduled for release in 2019 are already being rescheduled.
Due to the fact that actors are not allowed to promote their own work, marketing efforts are hampered, even finished films may be added to the schedule.
Media businesses have to deal with an increase in people cutting their typical pay TV bundles.
which, despite its decline, continues to be a cash cow and helps streaming companies turn a profit.
While media companies, especially Netflix, which has a vast library of content to be released as well as international programming, have stated that their slates for viewing and traditional TV are in good shape for the fall, the strikes could further destabilize an already turbulent industry.
Amidst the industry’s ongoing recovery from the epidemic, Iger stated on CNBC recently that the timing of the stoppage couldn’t be worse, citing “disruptive forces on this business and all the challenges that we’re facing.”
A further problem is the lackluster advertising market because of uncertainty and worries about the macroeconomic situation.
While traditional TV has suffered, marketers have been spending more money on streaming. Executives in the advertising business say that if the work stoppage continues into the new year, it might cause problems, but it hasn’t yet had a significant impact on discussions with advertisers.
During recent earnings calls, Netflix and NBCUniversal parent Comcast stated their commitment to working with the writers and actors to find a solution. On Thursday and Monday, respectively, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global release their earnings reports.