For the first time in a long time in our current labor crises, we have glimmers of hope. On Day 102 of the writers strike, the WGA and studios met again — and didn’t emerge with finger-pointing or undermining leaks. Instead there was an exchange of proposals, likely counterproposals and responses. In other words, it’s looking functional! Follow the latest from Elaine Low in our daily Strikegeist newsletter.
Meanwhile, a settlement with the WGA and SAG will offer relief, but doesn’t solve the macro issues continuing to bedevil Hollywood. A blockbuster essay this week by Dickinson creator Alena Smith about the past decade of streaming, consolidation and the ensuing detrimental changes to studio culture (and what can save it) had Hollywood talking, from actors to WGA WhatsApp groups to our town’s top execs.
🎧 And Alena on our podcast:
Transcript here
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Related & Interconnected
With Q2 earnings season upon us — and stark admissions about linear TV’s accelerating decline — Claire Atkinson wrote about the next phase of potential Hollywood ownership: private equity. Learn about likely targets and the biggest potential players already here:
With the Streaming Wars over, Richard dives into how Netflix won — and who is even in second place in the fight for survival:
RIP William Friedkin
What Hollywood needs, if it’s ever going to claw its way back to cultural relevance, I’d say, give us three William Friedkins and we’ll rule the world.
When you look at Friedkin’s world, the breadth of the creative fearlessness, onscreen and off takes your breath away. As does the notion that not too long ago there was an industry that accommodated that fearlessness. They didn’t make it easy for him — nor he for them — but it’s impossible to picture a spirit like that lasting an hour here [today].
Starting Today!
Now through Labor Day: consider it your real-life thinking cap, free with every new annual paid subscription or gift.
☀️ The Wakeup
Sean McNulty’s epic breakdowns of the earnings calls this week — Disney, Paramount, Endeavor and more — are essential in understanding where this business is going and why. Don’t miss them:
🎧 This Week in Podcasts
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Transcript here
Listen here: Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts
🪧 Strikegeist
Movement! WGA to Respond to Studio Counterproposals Next Week
Why This Is the ‘Most Radical of All the Writers and Actors Strikes’ in Hollywood History
Business Affairs Exec: How to Truly ‘Preserve the Writers’ Room’
The Optionist
IP Picks: A ‘Big Short’-Style Crypto Tale Plus, ‘crisis interventionists’ helping get kids off the streets and into rehab
