The longest strike in Hollywood history may finally be coming to an end.
After almost five months of labor stoppage, the WGA (Writers Guild of America) and the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) announced that a tentative agreement had been reached.
However, the deal does not include SAG-AFTRA (the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), whose writers remain on strike.
What SAG-AFTRA and the WGA want are similar, largely driven by technology and changes in distribution. With less work on each job due to shorter TV season length, and larger gaps between jobs, it’s harder for actors and writers to make a steady living. Compensation hasn’t kept pace with the shift or with corporate revenue and executive compensation, and the guilds are asking for a raise.
There’s also a looming concern over the role of AI in Hollywood. That’s not just some buzzy tech idea. It’s a threat to working actors’ and writers’ livelihood, and one that could in the end be a much bigger problem than everyone may anticipate.
The lengthy strikes have had profound economic consequences. As of August, the strikes have cost California’s economy an estimated $3 billion. This also has significant ramifications for the thousands of workers and businesses who depend on the entertainment industry. Even if the strike does end, TV and film production won’t be back to “normal” any time soon.
Follow Vox for details about the lead-up to the writers’ strikes and the latest news as this story develops.
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