All articles tagged with #writers guild of america
Originally Published 5 months ago — by The Hollywood Reporter
Renowned filmmaker Park Chan-wook and co-creator Don McKellar have been expelled from the Writers Guild of America for working on the HBO series 'The Sympathizer' during the 2023 strike, marking a high-profile rule violation amid ongoing industry labor disputes.
Originally Published 5 months ago — by The Guardian
The Writers Guild of America has called for an investigation into Paramount's decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, citing concerns over potential political influence and recent settlement controversies involving Trump, with some lawmakers and Colbert criticizing the move as possibly politically motivated. Paramount claims the cancellation was purely financial, unrelated to the show's content.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Variety
Writers employed by Sesame Workshop, the producer of "Sesame Street," have voted unanimously to support a strike authorization vote from the Writers Guild of America as contract negotiations continue. The union's demands include fair contracts for writers, particularly those in animation who are currently excluded from basic union benefits. Sesame Workshop is in an unusual position as a nonprofit organization facing a strike threat, and the fate of "Sesame Street" as of next year and beyond remains uncertain.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Deadline
Writers at Sesame Workshop have unanimously authorized a strike if a deal isn't reached by Friday when their current contract expires. The Writers Guild of America stated that the writers are committed to their work and are seeking annual raises, improvements to residuals, and union coverage for animation and social media segments. Sesame Workshop expressed hope for an agreement and emphasized the writers' importance to their creative team. If a strike occurs, picketing will begin on April 24 outside Sesame Workshop's offices in New York City.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Hollywood Reporter
Comedian Drew Carey spoke at the Writers Guild of America awards ceremony about his decision to pay for striking writers' meals at two Los Angeles restaurants during the 148-day strike, which cost him around $1 million. He emphasized that it was the right thing to do and credited the writers for their contributions to his success, urging others to recognize their importance in the industry.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Hollywood Reporter
At the Writers Guild of America awards ceremony, a comedy bit spoofed top labor negotiator Carol Lombardini, representing studios and streamers during the 2023 strike, with raunchy and brutal humor. The bit earned groans and occasional laughter from the audience as the image of "Lombardini" made controversial comments about the WGA and its members. The spoof referred to the next potential strike in 2026, and Lombardini, president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, has been the top negotiator for Hollywood studios since 2009. The 2023 strike sought to regulate AI in scriptwriting and improve compensation for members in the streaming age.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Variety
The Writers Guild of America held its annual WGA Awards, honoring the best in television and film for 2023. The event took place at the Hollywood Palladium and New York’s Edison Ballroom, with Niecy Nash-Betts and Josh Gondelman hosting the West Coast and East Coast ceremonies, respectively. Notable winners included "American Fiction" for Adapted Screenplay, "The Last of Us" for New Series, and "Beef" for Limited Series. The event also featured presenters such as Bill Burr and Tony Hale, and honored individuals including David A. Goodman, Chris Keyser, Walter Hill, Linda Bloodworth Thomason, and Cord Jefferson.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Variety
The Writers Guild of America is set to celebrate its upcoming Writers Guild Awards following a new contract, with Emmy-winning actress and producer Niecy Nash-Betts hosting the event. The awards show will feature categories spanning film, television, news media, and radio/audio, and will take place at the Hollywood Palladium. The event aims to create an irreverent, hip, and loose-limbed tone, with a focus on enforcing gains made in the negotiated settlement and closely monitoring ongoing negotiations between other industry unions and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by IndieWire
The nominees for the 2024 Writers Guild of America Awards have been announced, featuring a diverse range of screenplays, television series, and new media content. Notable nominations include "Barbie," "The Holdovers," "May December," "Past Lives," "American Fiction," "Killers of the Flower Moon," and "Oppenheimer" for original screenplay, as well as "The Crown," "The Last of Us," and "Succession" for drama series. The awards, taking place in April, are expected to influence final Oscar voting and Emmy campaigns.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Hollywood Reporter
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav acknowledges that striking writers were right in their demands for changes in compensation in Hollywood. Zaslav expressed no regrets about the deal struck between studios and the Writers Guild of America, which included increased pay and protections for writers. However, Zaslav's comment that writers might now be overpaid is seen as ironic given his own hefty compensation. The strikes ultimately saved Warner Bros. Discovery money, but the company has been slow to greenlight new projects amid aggressive cost-cutting. The company recently faced controversy over shelving and then un-shelving a movie, leading to calls for an investigation into its practices.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Hollywood Reporter
The Writers Guild of America has announced that the 2024 WGA Awards will be held on April 14, more than a month after the 2024 Oscars, in order to give guild members more time to submit their work following the recently resolved strike against the AMPTP. This move further disconnects the WGA Awards from the rest of the awards season and reduces studio lobbying and talent attendance at the ceremony.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Variety
Screenwriter Dan Gordon, known for films like "The Hurricane" and "Wyatt Earp," has resigned from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) due to the guild's silence on the Hamas attacks on Israel. Gordon, a veteran of the Israel Defense Forces, criticized the WGA for taking stands on other social justice issues but failing to condemn the attacks. He has elected "financial core" status, which limits his participation in guild activities. The WGA leadership issued an apology, explaining their distinction between domestic and international issues. While some writers have condemned the attacks and criticized the WGA, others have urged the guilds to reject pressure to issue a statement, fearing it could be seen as endorsing Israel's response.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Hollywood Reporter
Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) expressed disappointment and confusion during a Zoom meeting over the union's silence following Hamas' attack on Israel. Showrunners and writers questioned why the WGA has not joined other guilds in condemning the attack, with concerns that the board remains divided on how to respond. Some members feel that the WGA should not comment on political events, while others argue that the union's history of speaking out on various issues makes its silence on this matter conspicuous. The WGA is now caught between a rock and a hard place, facing pressure to take a stand while also considering the potential backlash.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Deadline
Showrunners and industry figures are set to meet in a virtual meeting to discuss the Writers Guild of America's silence regarding the recent attack on Israel by terrorists. The meeting comes after a group of high-profile WGA members criticized the guild for not speaking out against the attack. The WGA has faced backlash from its members, with some threatening to withhold dues or go fi-core. The guild has not responded to requests for comment.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Variety
Joel Fields, the showrunner of "The Americans," criticized the Writers Guild of America (WGA) for not condemning the Hamas attack on Israel and accused the organization of failing to issue a statement through its silence. Fields made these remarks at a panel discussing Hollywood and antisemitism. The WGA has not commented on why it did not issue a statement, leading to speculation that it wants to avoid a contentious subject or not upset members with differing sympathies. Ilana Wernick, a writer-producer, claimed that the WGA has a "Jew-hating problem" rooted in ideological hostility. Fields argued that Hollywood, which was once a refuge for Jews, has become a "safe space" and that anti-Semitism has only recently become a prominent issue.