The Writers Guild of America is calling for an investigation into Paramount following the cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,' alleging the move may be a bribe related to a merger and political pressures, particularly involving former President Trump. The Guild expresses concerns about free speech and political influence in media decisions, urging authorities to look into potential misconduct.
The 2024 Writers Guild Awards nominations have been announced, with films like "Air," "Barbie," "Oppenheimer," and "May December" among the screenplay nominees. The awards favorites "Succession" and "The Bear" lead the TV categories with multiple nominations. Notably, the WGA Awards will take place after the Oscars this year, with winners to be announced on April 14.
The Hollywood writers' guild is set to end their strike after reaching a new three-year contract, securing better terms for writers. The negotiations have resulted in improved pay rates, increased residuals, and better healthcare benefits for members of the guild.
SAG-AFTRA picketers, joined by some members of the Writers Guild, braved the rain in New York City to continue their strike, now on Day 76. Despite the recent deal between the Writers Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, SAG-AFTRA members remain in strike mode, expressing optimism but also concerns about their personal finances. The picketers highlighted the importance of addressing issues beyond wages, such as the impact of artificial intelligence and streaming technologies on the industry. The Writers Guild's determination and unity have inspired SAG-AFTRA, and negotiations for a new contract continue.
Disney CEO Bob Iger was seen dining with Paul McCartney and Joe Walsh while negotiations between the Writers Guild and studios were ongoing. The guild and four studio chiefs, including Iger, eventually reached a tentative agreement after weeks of standoff and intense negotiations. The deal, which still needs to be approved by the guild membership, is described as "exceptional" with "meaningful gains and protections for writers." However, some guild members worry that the challenges facing their profession will persist, as the industry may contract and limit opportunities for young and diverse writers.
The Writers Guild of America (W.G.A.) has reached a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios on a new contract, ending a 146-day strike by over 11,000 screenwriters. The deal, which is expected to be voted on by members on Tuesday, includes provisions for residual payments from streaming, minimum staffing of shows, and limits on the use of artificial intelligence. The strike, coupled with the SAG-AFTRA walkout, has caused significant financial losses for studios, with estimates suggesting they could lose up to $1.6 billion in global ticket sales. The success of the W.G.A. in securing favorable terms reflects the growing strength of unions and organized labor in various industries.
The negotiations between the Writers Guild and major studios have not yet resulted in a deal to end the strike, but talks are likely to continue over the weekend. While progress has been made on certain issues, agreement has not been reached on matters such as AI and minimum staffing levels for writers rooms. Both sides are determined to reach a resolution before the upcoming Jewish holiday. The strike has had a significant economic impact on Los Angeles County, with an estimated $5 billion loss, affecting not only entertainment workers but also other industries. The strike is approaching its 144th day, with the potential to become the longest walkout by writers in history.
CEOs from top studios including Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, and NBCUniversal are attending a bargaining session between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) in an effort to resolve the ongoing writers' strike. The CEOs' direct involvement in negotiations reflects the urgency to address the industry-wide crisis caused by the strikes. The WGA has submitted a list of issues to be discussed, and both sides are hoping for meaningful negotiations to reach a fair deal for writers.
Writers Guild members picketed a rehearsal show for The Talk in Studio City, protesting the show's decision to resume production without union writers amid the ongoing writers strike. Around 50 WGA members handed out leaflets and informed potential audience members about the picket line. The show's hosts, covered by a SAG-AFTRA contract, will be ad-libbing until the strike is resolved. The return of talk shows without union writers during the strike is seen as disappointing and damaging to workers everywhere. The picket was organized last-minute after the WGA learned of the alleged rehearsal.
Damien Chazelle, the head of the jury at the Venice Film Festival, wore a "Writers Guild on Strike" t-shirt and badge at the opening press conference. Chazelle expressed his support for the writers and actors on strike, emphasizing the importance of valuing each work of art and ensuring fair compensation for artists. Other jury members, Martin McDonagh and Laura Poitras, also wore the same t-shirt. Chazelle praised the Venice Film Festival as the best in the world, while acknowledging the difficult times in Hollywood for working crew and writers.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) has released its latest counterproposal to the Writers Guild (WGA) after over 100 days of the guild being on strike. The proposal includes wage increases, increased streaming residuals, guaranteed employment for mid-level writers, and some concessions on data transparency and the use of AI. However, the WGA has rejected the proposal, accusing the studios of trying to divide the union and not genuinely bargaining. It remains uncertain if the two sides will return to the table soon, but there is hope that a strike resolution could be reached by mid-September.
The Entertainment Community Fund has raised over $7 million and distributed $4.7 million to more than 2,300 film and TV workers affected by the strikes by the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA. The fund is providing emergency financial assistance to cover basic living expenses and mental health support. The need for assistance has been compounded by the pandemic-related work shutdown, leaving many industry workers in fragile situations. The fund expects an increase in inquiries if the strikes continue and is grateful for the support of prominent donors and union contributions.
The Writers Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will meet again next week after four days of bargaining. The guild issued a "Call to Action" urging members to file public comments in support of proposed revisions to Merger Guidelines, citing media consolidations as a root cause of the strike. The guild also released a report calling for more government regulation of Disney, Amazon, and Netflix, accusing them of anti-competitive practices.
Oscar-winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman criticizes Hollywood studio executives for their high pay and cost-cutting practices, arguing that they prioritize profit over the art of filmmaking. Kaufman believes that studio heads do damage to the art form and humanity by focusing solely on the bottom line. He also expresses concern about the increasing influence of artificial intelligence in the creative industry, warning that it could lead to the end of human creativity. Kaufman supports the Writers Guild's proposal to prevent consolidation in the streaming marketplace and calls for a more diverse landscape that is not controlled by a few studio giants.
The Writers Guild and the AMPTP have met for a third consecutive day to try and reach a deal to end the ongoing writers' strike, with the studios' CEOs planning to meet on Friday to discuss the current situation. The main issues being negotiated include pay raises, streaming residuals, minimum staffing in writers' rooms, guaranteed days of employment, and safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence in scriptwriting.
