Writers Guild Strike Signs. (Themightyquill, CC)
It was a busy weekend for Hollywood, but not the storybook ending the Writers Guild of America hoped to read in the trades.
Instead of seeing hundreds of skilled writers back to work, it was the Directors Guild of America (DGA) that got the deal. The agreement is tentative between the studios and the DGA, but it’s for three years that offers a “76% increase in foreign residuals for the largest platforms.”
“We have concluded a truly historic deal,” said Jon Avnet, chair of the guild’s negotiations committee in a statement. “It provides significant improvements for every Director, Assistant Director, Unit Production Manager, Associate Director and Stage Manager in our Guild.”
It is day 33 of the Writers Guild Strike. They are the more important union airing grievances but is Hollywood listening? Furthermore, there is yet another union pending a final agreement, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), which is collecting a strike authorization vote now.
It’s been a busy couple of weeks for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) but they are far from done.
The Writing on the Wall
So, what’s taking so long with the Writers Guild? They are the backbone of TV series, films, and late-night talk shows. How do you know? Everything is on hold. The talking heads got jokes, but as much as 10-12 comedic minds around a table.
Last Thursday, Writers Guild of America members were giving a message entitled “The AMPTP Playbook Won’t Work.” Essentially, the WGA will not allow division among unions. Yet, DGA gets a deal. SAG-AFTRA already has the attention of the AMPTP, who does all the negotiations for wages. But, WGA have been picketing to be heard for a month and bupkis.
What’s the strike all about? Streaming.
How people choose to get their content has changed everything. And much like Y2K was for computers back in the day, no one in Hollywood cared to think about how streaming would change how residuals got paid to writers. It’s all about “mailbox money.” You know, when a vocalist goes to their mailbox? POOF, there’s a check from Spotify for a few million dollars.
Actors and directors get the same thing everytime you view a movie or TV show. But, the content didn’t just appear–they were written, which is why the Writers Guild should be heard and welcomed.
The crux of the argument is streaming has a prized, full-time job in writing. Unfortunately, it may be deemed as a “gig economy.” The “anyone can do it” ideology doesn’t fly here. Writers Guild proposals suggest a need for mandatory staffing and a guarantee of duration, regardless if the show determines they’ll use all of them or not.
They are looking for protection. And, of course, the studios are looking for maximum profit.
For information on the DGA deal, Deadline has a clear list. For information on the WGA, keep reading the tea leaves. This one could take a while. (P.S. As writers at Geek Vibes Nation, we support the Writers Guild. All the best!)
Since he saw ‘Dune’ in the $1 movie theater as a kid, this guy has been a lover of geek culture. It wasn’t until he became a professional copywriter, ghostwriter, and speechwriter that he began to write about it (a lot).
From the gravitas of the Sith, the genius of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, or the gluttony of today’s comic fan, SPW digs intelligent debate about entertainment. He’s also addicted to listicles, storytelling, useless trivia, and the Oxford comma. And, he prefers his puns intended.
