The Facts
After negotiations between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and several studios failed to reach a deal over pay, staffing, and concerns about artificial intelligence (AI), over 11K film & TV writers went on strike Tuesday, forcing production to halt for film and scripted TV.
The WGA, which said screenwriting was facing an "existential crisis," has demanded a greater share of residuals from streaming, a ban on the use of AI in writing material, a staffing minimum of 6-12 writers per show, and a guaranteed minimum number of weeks of employment.
The Spin
Narrative A
There's no Hollywood without the writers. All they are asking for is fair compensation to keep up with the changing trends in media consumption and to preserve their livelihoods. The streaming age has seen an explosion in the quality and quantity of content thanks to the writers who have been continually demeaned and undervalued. The studios need to offer the writers a deal that accurately reflects this.
Narrative B
These writers may have picked a fight they cannot win. The streaming boom is over, and the once cash-flush platforms are feeling the pinch. Platforms are in no rush to spend money or greenlight another prestige show as investors bear down on them to turn a profit. Everyone in the industry is grappling with this slowdown, and writers shouldn't receive special treatment.
