There is no sign of a prospective agreement with Hollywood studios as the writers’ strike approaches the 100-day milestone.
Hollywood is still engulfed in distress.
There is still no end in sight for the historic work stoppage that has paralysed the film and television industries, caused financial havoc for the interconnected web of people who depend on the industry to make ends meet and is now approaching the 100-day mark this week.
A glimmer of optimism appeared in Hollywood last week when it was revealed that the studios and the striking writers were scheduled to meet for the first time since the strike began in early May. After a long, scorching summer of picketing and throwing jabs, it seemed as though hope could be on the horizon.
But in the end, it appeared to be an illusion. It was obvious that the meeting would not be particularly productive even before it started. The Writers Guild of America denounced the studios in a letter to its members for allegedly spreading “calculated disinformation.” The organisation that represents the big studios, the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers, was outraged by this and decided to repay the favour by making a scathing statement of its own.
Which means that what first appeared to be a positive sign of a thaw in the icy ties ended with both sides effectively zinging each other in the media and a continuation of the protracted impasse.
The WGA issued yet another statement following the meeting on Friday, accusing the AMPTP of “leaking to the press” and claiming that no deal had been reached to resume talks because the AMPTP “needed to consult with their member studios before moving forward.” The AMPTP decided against commenting.
Hollywood is on the verge of making history in the worst way conceivable because to the fire and brimstone that has engulfed the industry. The present impasse has already outlasted the 2007–2008 strike, which lasted 93 days, and is heading towards the authors’ strike that lasted the longest ever—154 days in 1988.
When those strikes took place, the industry was much more stable than it is now. There is a lot at risk in these negotiations since disruptive streaming services are upending the industry and the possibility of A.I. threatens to further destabilise — perhaps, revolutionise — the media sector. The WGA has stated that the current challenges represent an existential threat to writers’ ability to support themselves and that it does not seek to “make merely an incremental deal to conclude.”
And since 160,000 Hollywood actors who are represented by SAG-AFTRA are also engaged in a second front of conflict with the studios over related issues, the studios will need to adequately allay their worries if they wish to escape this labour mess.
The WGA and AMPTP believe that the strike has gone on for too long, despite the difficulty the two parties are facing in reaching an agreement on such issues. Not only are the striking workers suffering financially, but the entire industry is also suffering due to the protracted misery brought on by the work stoppage. Numerous people who work in support jobs would be left without a means of support without production, a significant economic engine that goes well beyond Hollywood.
But don’t hold your breath anticipating the situation will be resolved soon; there are no scheduled negotiations, and the two sides’ communication is defined by mudslinging. Argumentatively, tensions have been rekindled, making the situation worse than it was prior to the summit that destroyed Hollywood’s hopes.
