Why doesn’t one of these studios break away and offer writers a great deal and attract too talent? Why would Apple or Max care about pissing Netflix off, for example?
Unions working together isn’t monopolistic since their members perform different functions and don’t technically compete with each other. Studios coordinating is anticompetitive on its face.
There is a growing concern that the WGA and other unions feel that this strike is not being taken at face value. One example I can think of is an alt-media commenter thinks this is an action to not have late-night shows and the like discuss President Biden until, as they think, he ends his re-election bid. Palpable nonsense, yet this is what some 30% of the country will think. Needless to say, that 30% need to be deprogrammed. So, knowing this, and with the recent shrugs and lack of resolution taking place from the corporate executives and AMPAS members; it would be safe to say that the WGA (and maybe other entertainment unions) look at this like the people who sign their checks want a divorce.
A stock phrase in movies and tv shows when someone demands a divorce is for the other party to say something like "You want a divorce? You got a divorce!" or thereabouts. Knowing all this, the unions have one course of action that will, if done correctly, be the most beneficial. And that is for all WGA members to submit their resignation to whatever show, movie, or company that is employing them to which they are on contract and on strike now. You see, many people still think these shows are coming back. What if the creators and writers of these shows decide "nope, not happening" and force majeure themselves? I say this because this might very well happen that the corporations will force majeure many contracts. So, this would be a good way of the WGA saying that if one is fired, we all leave. A mass resignation where they unite to say, "you cannot fire us because we quit!" That would indeed mean every show and movie in production gets cancelled. Yet, I think this is the best way for the WGA to really address their concerns if, as it seems, the leverage of waiting it out is beneficial to the companies. Now I understand what I say is odd. However, if you go all in on a strike action; you need to go all in on ending the time on your job.
In all fairness, the WGA and the other unions, unless they resign from their jobs entirely and as one, have used their only leverage. Now they will be playing defense. If they picket next month's Tony Awards, expect a court injunction to bar picketing. If the writers are against AI, expect AI to be used entirely for future entertainment purposes; especially when Apple comes out with their software. If these issues are going to the courts to decide I sadly expect any reasonable judgment in favor of the WGA to be appealed and reversed. We saw this happen in the 2011 NFL lockout. And for one AMPAS member that is in solidarity with labor (as I assume we all are here); there may be 2 that look out for number one. Doubly so if they have been "cancelled". It is just not good for anyone going forward, and I would consider it a failure, at least, if I returned to my job writing a show or film which, like 70% of all content, is not worth our time.
You know when I wrote these comments on Deadline, I made a point to name some names that could be willing to lend themselves to a solution benefiting the entertainment industry working class. And yet, I guess it says it all when you are a celebrity, and you are seen at a photo op with a corporate executive of one of the media and studio companies. Ultimately, it is them that decide when to end a stalemate. Unless, of course, the unions call the companies' bluff and submit their resignation letters. But, of course, anyone that wants to comment and/or ridicule the idea can freely do so.
The second-day protest sign holder should pay residuals to the original writer!
I'm still baffled by The Ankler's take on AI here. There's literally a PDF that shows the WGA's ask on this issue and the studios laughable counter: https://www.wga.org/uploadedfiles/members/member_info/contract-2023/WGA_proposals.pdf
Also, this has been floating around for the last 24 hours: https://twitter.com/DiscussingFilm/status/1654219728460849153?s=20.
This isn't about computers making scripts on their own (yet), it's about the elimination of writer jobs, writer steps on a job, and lowering writer pay thanks to AI: https://bobbymiller.substack.com/p/i-used-chatgpt-to-outline-a-movie
Why doesn’t one of these studios break away and offer writers a great deal and attract too talent? Why would Apple or Max care about pissing Netflix off, for example?
Unions working together isn’t monopolistic since their members perform different functions and don’t technically compete with each other. Studios coordinating is anticompetitive on its face.
There is a growing concern that the WGA and other unions feel that this strike is not being taken at face value. One example I can think of is an alt-media commenter thinks this is an action to not have late-night shows and the like discuss President Biden until, as they think, he ends his re-election bid. Palpable nonsense, yet this is what some 30% of the country will think. Needless to say, that 30% need to be deprogrammed. So, knowing this, and with the recent shrugs and lack of resolution taking place from the corporate executives and AMPAS members; it would be safe to say that the WGA (and maybe other entertainment unions) look at this like the people who sign their checks want a divorce.
A stock phrase in movies and tv shows when someone demands a divorce is for the other party to say something like "You want a divorce? You got a divorce!" or thereabouts. Knowing all this, the unions have one course of action that will, if done correctly, be the most beneficial. And that is for all WGA members to submit their resignation to whatever show, movie, or company that is employing them to which they are on contract and on strike now. You see, many people still think these shows are coming back. What if the creators and writers of these shows decide "nope, not happening" and force majeure themselves? I say this because this might very well happen that the corporations will force majeure many contracts. So, this would be a good way of the WGA saying that if one is fired, we all leave. A mass resignation where they unite to say, "you cannot fire us because we quit!" That would indeed mean every show and movie in production gets cancelled. Yet, I think this is the best way for the WGA to really address their concerns if, as it seems, the leverage of waiting it out is beneficial to the companies. Now I understand what I say is odd. However, if you go all in on a strike action; you need to go all in on ending the time on your job.
In all fairness, the WGA and the other unions, unless they resign from their jobs entirely and as one, have used their only leverage. Now they will be playing defense. If they picket next month's Tony Awards, expect a court injunction to bar picketing. If the writers are against AI, expect AI to be used entirely for future entertainment purposes; especially when Apple comes out with their software. If these issues are going to the courts to decide I sadly expect any reasonable judgment in favor of the WGA to be appealed and reversed. We saw this happen in the 2011 NFL lockout. And for one AMPAS member that is in solidarity with labor (as I assume we all are here); there may be 2 that look out for number one. Doubly so if they have been "cancelled". It is just not good for anyone going forward, and I would consider it a failure, at least, if I returned to my job writing a show or film which, like 70% of all content, is not worth our time.
You know when I wrote these comments on Deadline, I made a point to name some names that could be willing to lend themselves to a solution benefiting the entertainment industry working class. And yet, I guess it says it all when you are a celebrity, and you are seen at a photo op with a corporate executive of one of the media and studio companies. Ultimately, it is them that decide when to end a stalemate. Unless, of course, the unions call the companies' bluff and submit their resignation letters. But, of course, anyone that wants to comment and/or ridicule the idea can freely do so.
Kindest Regards,
Robert Kelly
sag-aftra is scheduled to start negotiations June 7