In a significant development, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and major Hollywood studios are reportedly in the final phases of negotiations to bring an end to one of the lengthiest strikes in the history of the entertainment industry.
The work stoppage, which has gripped Hollywood since May 2, 2023, may soon be a thing of the past as legal representatives for both labor and management have shifted their focus towards fine-tuning the language in a proposed three-year contract.
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This contract, which has been the subject of intense discussion, encompasses several intricate issues that have been central to the strike. Among these issues is the use of generative artificial intelligence, a groundbreaking inclusion that raises important questions about the role of AI in content creation and its impact on writers.
According to Variety which broke the story, in addition to AI, the contract also addresses key aspects of the WGA’s minimum basic agreement, including a formula designed to ensure a minimum staff guarantee for episodic television. One of the most significant components of the agreement is a “success-based” residual system from subscription platforms. This novel approach aims to channel additional revenue into the WGA’s pension and health funds, offering writers a more secure financial future.
As negotiations enter their final stages, it has become apparent that the language used in the contract, particularly concerning the AI proposal, has become one of the last hurdles to overcome. Industry insiders suggest that the remaining issues are primarily linguistic in nature.
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The recent breakthrough in negotiations was catalyzed by the involvement of four top executives from prominent entertainment companies. Disney’s Bob Iger, Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, and NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley took part in three days of intensive negotiations. Their presence was instrumental in breaking the months-long impasse between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents major studios and streaming platforms.
While these senior executives were not physically present in the latest negotiations, insiders familiar with the situation have indicated that they were likely monitoring the proceedings from a distance. An unofficial deadline seemed to emerge as the approach of the Yom Kippur holiday on Sunday evening became a target for reaching an agreement, particularly as real progress was made earlier in the week.
As of now, representatives for the AMPTP and WGA have not provided official comments regarding the ongoing negotiations. However, this development has raised hopes that an end to the strike may be imminent.
Once the WGA deal is finalized, attention will turn to the strike by SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), which commenced on July 14, 2023. This strike marks the first industry-wide action by performers in over 40 years and is eagerly anticipated to follow suit with successful negotiations.
A tentative deal is expected by Sunday evening or earlier.
For Reel 360 News’ full strike coverage, click here.
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