Hollywood writers’ strike is set to end after nearly five months. Last night the WGA announced it had reached a promising tentative agreement with the studios.
Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) ended five consecutive days of talks. Variety reported that on Saturday, the fourth day, the negotiations mostly involved legal representatives for both parties.
WGA and the AMPTP lawyers hashed out the fine print and language surrounding the “complicated and groundbreaking additions to the Writer’s Guild’s Minimum Basic Agreement,” explained Variety.
Additionally, crafting the fine-tooth details about using generative artificial intelligence (AI) in content production was one of the last items agreed upon before closing the deal.
Reportedly, the proposal that ended the writers’ strike was Hollywood Studios’ “best and final” offer.
See tweets about the 2023 Negotiating Committee and the following feed here.
One of the noteworthy exchanges came from @joerussotweets and @Xx_WiReD_xX. Joe Russo wrote: “Thank you, ALL!!!!”
The touching reply: “Joe, thank you. I have watched you from the start and you have dedicated so much and uplifted so many. You are an amazing person, and I’m glad the world has people like you in it. Plus, Bella Russo gives you like 50 more cool points.”
Writers Strike Deal Needs Ratification
The tentative agreement still needs to be ratified by Writers Guild members representing over 11,000 writers.
CNN reported that “if passed, the deal would mark the end of a nearly five-month-long strike, the second largest in the union’s history.”
The WGA suspended picketing as of Sunday night.
However, “to be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorized by the Guild.”
“We are still on strike until then,” read the Guild’s message to its members.
Variety indicated there is an unofficial deadline for the agreement’s ratification. “Guild leaders are expected to vote on Tuesday on whether to formally lift the strike order against AMPTP signatories.”
End of Writers Strike a Boon for Political Satirists
The ongoing political strife in the United States will be like putty in the talented hands of Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel.
Deadline reported the late-night TV programs “will likely mark the first tranche of shows able to return, along with daytime talk shows.”
Late-night television fans look forward to hearing their favorite political satirists’ take on former President Donald Trump’s escapades.
Also, fodder for their monologues is the January 6 findings unveiled in the indictments, who is charged and defendants who have flipped their testimony. Finally, they can answer who Taylor Swift is dating and more.
WGA supporters hope for a positive outcome in the contract ratification process.
The next strike TV, streaming, and movie fans hope will come to an end is the SAG-AFTRA labor dispute against the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers. They have been striking since July 14, 2023.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
NPR: Hollywood writers reach a tentative agreement after nearly five-month strike; By Mandakit del Barco
CNN: Hollywood studios put ‘best and final’ deal forward. WGA strike nears an ending; By Eva Rothenberg and Chris Isidore
Variety: Deal! WGA, AMPTP Reach Historic Contract Agreement to End 146-Day Writers Strike: ‘This Deal Is Exceptional;’ By Cynthia Littleton, Kate Aurthur, Matt Donnelly, and Gene Maddaus
Deadline: Late-Night Shows Set To Return Soon After Writers & Studios Strike A Deal; By Peter White
Featured and Top Image by Michael Tucker Courtesy of Unsplash+
First Inset Image by UFCW770 Courtesy of Flickr – Creative Commons License
Second Inset Image by Cytonn Photography Courtesy of Unsplash
Third Inset Image by Neil Grabowsky for Montclair Film Courtesy of Flickr – Creative Commons License
