2023 WGA Strikes
- lashwood279
- Sep 25, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 30, 2024
What are the strikes about?
The Writer's Guild of America (WGA) strike started on May 2nd 2023, where over 11,000 members of the WGA couldn't come to an agreement with Hollywood studios over the terms of their new contract, that was expiring on May 1st. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which is a trade association representing 397 American Film and TV producers including CBS, MGM, NBC Universal, Lionsgate, The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros, Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and the Weinstein Company, met with the WGA to discuss their new contract after their three-year contract expired. Whilst AMPTP felt like they were offering generous compensation to the writers, the WGA strongly disagreed as many of their requests for a liveable job were not met.
The main point of the disagreement comes in the standard base pay, which has not advanced as technology of television and film has advanced. The introduction of streaming services initially brought more jobs, but it changed the landscape of how writers find jobs. Previously, broadcast networks would order upwards of 20 episodes for a show that would span over a timeframe of 10 or so months. Over the last few years, the number of episodes has decreased to 8 to 10 episodes. This means that more writers are having to find more jobs frequently in order to make ends meet rather than a fixed amount of time spent on one project. Other things that were rejected by the AMPTP were to preserve the writer's room, writers who work on streaming projects with a budget of $12 million or more being paid equivalent to those who write for movies released in theatres and also the request for Pension and Healthcare contributions. The strike has lasted just a little over 3 months and there are no signs of the WGA and the AMPTP coming to an agreement. The AMPTP did offer WGA a proposal back in August but since then there has been no signs of further proposals from any of the groups. As it stands this WGA strike is the biggest since the 100 day strike back in 2007/08.
Many films and TV shows have had to come to a stand still due to the strikes. Some of these include Season 5 of Stranger Things, Season 2 of The Last of Us, Season 6 of Cobra Kai, Season 4 of The Mandalorian, Daredevil: Born Again, Venom 3, Blade, Deadpool 3, Ghostbusters 4, Avatar 3 and 4, a Beetlejuice sequel, Gladiator 2, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning- Part 2, an untitled F1 film, an untitled Star Wars film and many more. Many films and TV shows were lucky to finish writing before the strike. Some of these consist of House of Dragon Season 2, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 and Andor Season 2.
The history of previous WGA strikes:
The last WGA strike took place from November 5th 2007 and ended 3 months later on February 12th 2008. The WGA demanded more compensation for their work in the industry. This strike was not only a turning point for the industry, but it also highlighted the changing landscape of media and the difference in power between creators and executives. The strike targeted AMPTP, the same group the 2023 strikes are targeting. On the 12th of February 2008, writers voted on whether to lift the strike after negotiators reached a uncertain agreement and 92.5% voted to end the strike. The WGA later requested a court order asking that this agreement be both honoured and implemented. The WGA strike in 2007 was the longest strike in the Guild’s history, until now, lasting 100 days and it cost the US entertainment industry $500 million. Films and TV shows that were in production around the time of the strikes didn't do very well due to a lack of writers. These include Quantum of Solace, Terminator Salvation, Transformers 2, Star Trek 2009, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Lost and surprisingly Breaking Bad, one of the only productions to benefit from the strike. If the strike never had happened Jesse and Hank would of been killed off after just one season and we wouldn't have the show we love and know today.
Pro's and Con's of the 2023 WGA strikes:
There are lots of pros about the WGA strike. One pro is that the writers are fighting to have equal pay and respect as everyone else in the industry. The strikes have also been heard and seen all over the news and radio. This means the writers are getting support from fans and the local community. Even actors and directors are supporting the writers and striking with them. This includes Breaking Bad Stars Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul and Bob Odenkirk, Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, Mark Hamill, Christopher Nolan and so many more that there are too many to name. Another pro is that the strike is revealing the toxicity behind Hollywood and how messed up of an industry it is. It shows that the people higher up are selfish and don't care about the working class. Sadly, there are some negatives about the strikes. These mostly impact the fans as they aren't getting the films and TV shows they are waiting for. Instead they are being delayed and fans are having to wait round for their most anticipated films and TV shows to be released.
My Opinion on the 2023 WGA strikes:
Overall, I have a mixed opinion on the strikes. I think it's a good thing that the writers are standing up against the big executives and trying to make themselves equal to everyone else in the industry. But on the other hand, I'm also disappointed as projects have been delayed, and myself being fan am annoyed that they aren't going to be released any time soon. But I would rather wait till the strike ends to have good writing rather than they be released now and have poor writing. Thank you for reading my blog about the 2023 and 2007 WGA strikes. What are your opinions on them?
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