Writers' & Actors' Strikes - news & updates

[Sylvia]

Associated Press' coverage of the strikes by the WGA (Writers Guild of America on May 2, 2023) and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists joined them on July 14, 2023):

Hollywood strikes

apnews.com

3 lessons past Hollywood strikes can teach us about the current moment (NPR):
https://www.npr.org/2023/07/19/1188363449/sag-wga-strikes-hollywood

How to support the actors’ and writers’ strike

With thousands out of work, here are ways you can support Hollywood’s most financially vulnerable

news.yahoo.com

ETA:

Mandy Moore Says She Once Got a Check for a Penny for ‘This Is Us’ Streaming Residuals

The Emmy-nominated star, alongside former ‘Scandal’ actress Katie Lowes, opens up about one of the core issues in the SAG-AFTRA strike against streamers and studios.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

In an interview from the Disney picket line in Burbank with The Hollywood Reporter, the actress, 39, revealed that This Is Us streaming revenue only earns her checks for a penny to 81 cents from Disney's streaming deal with Hulu. Moore joined the SAG-AFTRA strike, which started after the actors' union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) were unable to reach terms for a new contract. The AMPTP represents the major studios and streamers.

 

[Buzz]

Thank you for this!

 

[Sylvia]

As of today (Sept, 20, 2023), "The WGA have been out on the picket line for 142 days and SAG-AFTRA have been on strike for 69 days, so far.":

WGA & AMPTP Talks “Encouraging” Today; More Negotiations Set For Tomorrow

EXCLUSIVE, updated with WGA/AMPTP statement: The Writers Guild and studios and streamers are set to meet again Thursday for further talks on a new contract for scribes. After a long, CEO-attended session today that one insider described as “very encouraging,” the WGA and the AMPTP will return to...

deadline.com

The Writers Guild and studios and streamers are set to meet again Thursday for further talks on a new contract for scribes.
After a long, CEO-attended session today that one insider described as “very encouraging,” the WGA and the AMPTP will return to the latter’s Sherman Oaks offices on September 21, we’re told.
With Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, Disney’s Bob Iger, Universal’s Donna Langley and Warner Bros Discovery’s David Zaslav in the room (as Deadline reported earlier today) joining AMPTP president Carol Lombardini and WGA chief negotiator Ellen Stutzman and others, the sit-down saw “incredible progress,” a source close to events says.
“This is what happens when principals get serious,” another well-positioned source noted. “Things start moving.”

 

[ballettmaus]

I've read time and again from people from the industry (showrunners, writers, actors etc) that, contrary to the AMPTP, the WGA has been honoring the negotiation media blackout and that they're only communicating to the members directly per email.
So, any "sources" are likely coming from the AMPTP. Doesn't mean that negotiations can't lead anywhere or that they aren't moving forward but they certainly have an agenda.

 

[Sylvia]

Deal! WGA, AMPTP Reach Historic Contract Agreement to End 146-Day Writers Strike: ‘This Deal Is Exceptional’

The WGA and AMPTP have reached a tentative contract agreement that will bring an end the 146-day writers strike.

variety.com

Negotiators for the Writers Guild of America and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached the finish line Sunday after five consecutive days of negotiations. Day 4 on Saturday mostly involved lawyers for the guild and AMPTP hashing out the fine print of language around complicated and groundbreaking additions to the WGA’s Minimum Basic Agreement. The nitty-gritty details of language around the use of generative AI in content production was one of the last items that the sides worked on before closing the pact.
“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” the WGA’s negotiating committee wrote in an email sent to members at 7:10 p.m. PT (Full text below).

 

[Sylvia]

October 1, 2023:

AI, Residuals and Minimums on Table as SAG-AFTRA, AMPTP Hold First Contract Talks Since Strike Began

AI, residuals and a hike in minimums will be on the table Monday as SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP hold the first talks since the strike began in July 14.

variety.com

AI, streaming residuals and minimum rate hikes will be among the key issues on the table when SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood’s largest employers sit down Monday for the first formal bargaining talks since the performers union went on strike July 14.
SAG-AFTRA and negotiators for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are expected to meet around midday at the union’s Miracle Mile headquarters at SAG-AFTRA Plaza. The talks follow the settlement the AMPTP reached last week with the Writers Guild of America after a 148-day strike. SAG-AFTRA negotiators and labor executives are expected to be joined by the same combination of senior industry executives who helped bring about the WGA accord: Disney CEO Bob Iger, Donna Langley, NBCUniversal chief content officer, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav.