Hollywood has been at a stand still for months with writers and actors on strike to petition for better industry conditions, especially in the context of the rise of AI.
Now, it seems the writers may have reached a ‘tentative deal’ with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Proucers, the body which represents the interests of the streaming platforms and the studios.
It’s been no mean feat, with the writers striking for 146 days, nearly five months, without work.
Thus far, the details of the deal have not been released, and it needs to be ratified by the Writer’s Guild’s over 11,000 members in order for it to come into effect and the strike to be over.
It’s been a hard slog for the writers and creatives behind our favourite television series, who have been on strike since May 2, 2023.
They have been calling for pay increases, new laws around staffing levels in writers’ rooms and better industry distinctions between cinematic and streaming releases. They are also calling for better regulation of artificial intelligence in the industry.
The Writer’s Guild’s Negotiating Committee have released a statement, saying, “We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.”
While it appears that the writers are reaching the pointy end of negotiations, there has been no such update from SAG-AFTRA, the organization representing actors, which is still on strike.
They have, however, issued a congratulatory message to the Writer’s Guild on its deal.
“Since the day the WGA strike began, SAG-AFTRA members have stood alongside the writers on the picket lines. We remain on strike in our TV/Theatrical contract and continue to urge the studio and streamer CEOs and the AMPTP to return to the table and make the fair deal that our members deserve and demand.”
From this message, it appears that while the writer’s may soon find themselves back in work again, it may be a while longer before actors and performers can be back in front of the camera and on stage.
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