As per a report from Deadline, the studios have no plans to enter into negotiations with the Writers Guild for several months, regardless of whether SAG-AFTRA proceeds with a strike this week. A source quoted in the report, who is knowledgeable about the perspective of studio CEOs, expressed the belief that a prolonged strike is imminent, with the studios opting to allow it to run its course gradually.
As the writers' strike enters its 71st day and the actors' union approaches a potential labor action in just 30 hours, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) is gearing up to take a firm stance this autumn. According to information I've gathered, the AMPTP, led by Carol Lombardini, intends to postpone further negotiations with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) until late October, as stated by a prominent producer associated with the organization. The specific timing may not align with Halloween, but the intention is clear - the AMPTP plans to prioritize solidifying their position before engaging in talks with the WGA again, as reported by the media outlet.
As the writers' strike enters its 71st day and the actors' union approaches a potential labor action in just 30 hours, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) is gearing up to take a firm stance this autumn. According to information I've gathered, the AMPTP, led by Carol Lombardini, intends to postpone further negotiations with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) until late October, as stated by a prominent producer associated with the organization. The specific timing may not align with Halloween, but the intention is clear - the AMPTP plans to prioritize solidifying their position before engaging in talks with the WGA again, as reported by Deadline.
According to the report, Warner Bros Discovery, Apple, Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Paramount, and other major studios have received positive feedback from Wall Street since the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike on May 2. Determined to undermine the WGA, one studio executive candidly expressed their intention to "break the WGA." The studios, along with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), believe that by October, most writers will be financially strained after spending five months on picket lines with no work.
This aggressive approach stems from the WGA's successful battle in 2021 against talent agencies regarding the dismantling of packaging practices. The WGA managed to persuade several agencies to abandon packaging, culminating in WME's eventual surrender. This strategic victory served as a warning to studios and streaming platforms.
Convinced that conceding to the writers' demands would set a precedent for future contract negotiations with various unions, including the WGA, IATSE, and the Teamsters, the AMPTP is focused on protecting their bottom line.
Publicly, the AMPTP denies any plans for an "October surprise." A spokesperson for the organization emphasizes their commitment to reaching a deal and resuming industry operations, as per the report. However, there have been no discussions between the AMPTP and the WGA since the strike began, despite the guild's persistent offers to meet.
While studio executives have expressed superficial praise for the writers, they have not made any public proposals to resume work. As network schedules shift towards unscripted shows and streaming platforms acquire foreign content, the studios and streamers have been saving money by suspending productions and cutting costs.
Simultaneously, negotiations with the Director's Guild in late May were successful, resulting in ratification last month. The studios hope that even if SAG-AFTRA's 160,000 members join the WGA on picket lines, they can bring the actors back to the negotiating table in a few weeks. While a new SAG-AFTRA deal would not immediately resume production, it could allow actors to promote projects already set for release, potentially pressuring the WGA as the year progresses.
The WGA did not provide a comment to Deadline's request. Studios and streamers anticipate that financially burdened writers may demand the WGA leadership to resume talks before the holiday season, potentially placing them in a position of power to dictate the terms of any potential deal. The studios' strategy seems to involve prolonging the strike until union members face financial difficulties, forcing them to seek a resolution with the WGA.
FAQs:
When did Hollywood Studios’ WGA Strike start?
The official Twitter account of the Writers Guild of America West announced on May 2 that their strike had begun following six weeks of negotiations with major entertainment companies such as Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC Universal, Paramount+, and Sony, all operating under the AMPTP's umbrella.
What is WGA?
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is a labor union that advocates for the rights of writers in various forms of media, including film, television, radio, and new media. It was established in 1933 by Allen Rivkin, a screenwriter who recognized the need for proper representation and support for writers within the entertainment industry.
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