Their hope is that by October, most writers will be financially strained after months on the picket lines and no income, the report noted. If it sounds heartless, well, it pretty much is. One studio executive boldly declared it a “cruel but necessary evil” in this high-stakes game of Hollywood chicken.
“The endgame is to allow things to drag on until union members start losing their apartments and losing their houses,” an anonymous suit said to Deadline.
Per the report, the AMPTP’s current aggressive stance is partly fueled by the WGA’s successful fight with the agencies in 2021, where they effectively put an end to the highly profitable packaging practice, which refers to talent agencies assembling a group of clients to provide various services such as writing, directing, and action in exchange for fees from both the talent they represent and the production studios. The studios fear that “giving in” to the writers now would set a precedent for future negotiations with other unions, leading to a never-ending cycle of strikes.
How would an actors’ strike affect TV premieres?
Already, broadcast networks are filling its slots typically filled by scripted programs with game shows or reality TV, or opting not to offer specific return dates for scripted fall TV favorites. Many shows that have halted production or delayed filming because of the writers’ strike may be impacted even more with longer delays and possibly have the lengths of their seasons affected if the actors strike.
“Of course it can get worse, as long as shows are put on hold, production is put on hold, it’s going to postpone premiere dates, how long seasons are,” Malkin said. “You have a show like Emily in Paris, they shut down production so they don’t know when they’re going to go back into production. When they go back into production, how fast they can get things going? When [can] they actually premiere a new season?”
Bad news for scripted tv, possible great news for folks who love stunt television shows and shitty reality series.
BBC News - SAG strike: Hollywood actors announce historic walkout
BBC News - McDonald’s workers speak out over sexual abuse claims
Strike strategy and ways workers can affect businesses to increase bargaining power:
Stay classy, NBCUniversal.
Yeah, NBCU’s statement is bullshit. No licensed arborist signed off on topping those trees. The trees are going to die after that “trim.”
At this time of year, and the way they were “trimmed” plus the far more challenging urban habitat, those trees are going to have a very hard time making a living.
Just like the strikers.
If those trees do survive, they are going to look pollarded and weird.
The Department of Public Works said it will issue a notice to comply to the owner of the Barham Boulevard property, which is standard when work occurs in the public right of way without permission. The case will also be investigated to see whether it warrants the issuance of an administrative citation or an administrative hearing, the statement said.
“ooooh were we supposed to get permission to cut these trees on this public right-of-way? oooh darn! ooopsie!”
