ICYMI: STALEMATE
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Faint glimmers of hope this week. As the writers strike grinds toward its 100-day mark (it’s day 97 today, but who’s counting?), negotiators for the WGA and studios sat down for the first time since the walkout began. No breakthroughs yet, but at this point, any movement looks like progress, even if all the two sides manage to do at this point is talk about talking. Elaine Low at our Strikegeist newsletter described the conversation at Friday’s first meet-up since the strike began:
WGA chief negotiator Ellen Stutzman and general counsel Tony Segall and the AMPTP pres and chief negotiator Carol Lombardini… discussed a “potential negotiation protocol,” a “preview of the issues” that would be revived in the negotiating room, and press blackouts, according to the guild…
But, underscoring the mistrust, the guild also sent this missive to its members:
However, before the negotiating committee even had a chance to meet, our communications department began hearing from the trades asking for comments on studio-leaked rumors of the contents of the confidential meeting. This is after the AMPTP spent much of the meeting emphasizing the need for a press blackout…
Read the WGA’s full statement on Strikegeist here. If you’re not already subscribed to Strikegeist, you should sign up now. Did we mention, its free?
So, now what? As the industry braces to blow past the duration of the 2007-2008 strike, Richard breaks down our plunge further into the unknown… noting one particular obstacle: “The problem is, our poobahs no longer consider themselves peers and colleagues with the average writer or actor, let alone the typical grip or location scout. They see themselves as peers of other moguls.”
Rushfield: The Next 100 Days Nightmare
Elsewhere in the Industry
We continued to make sense of Hollywood circa 2023. Some highlights:
Peter Kiefer examined the town’s headlong rush into the Web3 hype vortex, more con game than game changer — while others argue it still could reshape Hollywood. One reveal: news that Mike White, leader of Disney’s metaverse team, has quietly left the company:
Hollywood's Brutal Web3 Hangover
Scoring a second season in streaming is akin to winning the lottery. Entertainment Strategy Guy looked at the phenomenal growth of Hulu’s The Bear from season one to season two, and what to learn from it:
Big Tech’s Hollywood incursion changed the game for the town’s legacy studios. A tale of one day's three earnings calls — WBD, Apple and Amazon — reveals just how hard it’s getting for the legacy incumbents:
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🪧 Strikegeist
Elaine debuted the highly-amusing “All We Want: Strike Anthem” song this week from David Nickoll, Avery Pearson, Jordan Baum and Amy Browne, repping WGA, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and the DGA between them. Drop her a line at Elaine@theankler.com and watch the video here:
☀️ 5 Days of The Wakeup
Earnings season is underway, and Sean McNulty is on the case. This week: Paramount Global, Disney, AMC Entertainment and LionsGate are on the docket. Remember: Sean’s insightful (and breezy) morning round-up is available as part of your Ankler subscription.
🎧 This Week in Podcasts
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Power of an Enemies List
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Transcript here
Listen here: Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts
🔎 The Optionist
IP Picks: Zorro Meets Harry Potter Adventure Plus, wine robberies, serial killers and two aging sister spies avenge a fallen comrade