WGA Strike Standoff: Hollywood's Longest Game of Poker Continues
Despite a barrage of meetings and ceaseless discussions, there is yet no end in sight for the writers' strike that has been hobbling the entertainment industry. As Deadline has learned, the Writers' Guild of America (WGA) met with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) once more -- marking the fourth time this week alone -- in the hopes of finding common ground and breaking the deadlock. This striking union-business standoff continues to be a matter of movie and TV industry news.
This most recent round of negotiations between WGA and the AMPTP followed another round of strategic discussions among studio majors. Notably, Netflix's Ted Sarandos and Disney's Dana Walden took an active role in the deliberations, bringing their industry heft and acumen to the ongoing tussle. These key players are neck-deep in the ongoing quest to figure out the next move in this long-lasting negotiation, seeking viable and fair concessions for the writers guild.
As the week progressed, the AMPTP rolled out another offer for the writers, but despite the optimistic chatter zipping around town, no final agreement has been reached. Sources with Deadline have flatly contradicted rumors suggesting that a deal has already been signed off.
While the fact that dialogues are still ongoing offers a glimmer of hope, given the extended period of standoff and virtual non-communication that characterized the initial 100 days of the strike.
One hot-button issue in this week's discussions was the “preservation of the writers’ room” through minimum staffing and guaranteed employment days. In a sweeping show of unity, a significant series of top-drawer showrunners, like Veep’s David Mandel, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert head writer Ariel Dumas, Suits creator Aaron Korsh, and Hacks co-creator Jen Statsky, openly endorsed minimum staffing on social media.
Against this backdrop, picket lines in LA and New York remained busy throughout the week. However, due to severe weather warnings, California strikers will receive a forced hiatus from their protest come Monday.
---
So, Tinseltown has become Strike City. As Hollywood waits with baited breath, one struggles to recall a time when the stuttering theme of Scabs & Strikes didn't dominate the industry's snazzy cocktail hours. While of course, no one makes a martini like a scriptwriter, one would much prefer they get back to making magic on our screens.
The AMPTP and the WGA are stuck in what feels like the world's longest poker game, both waiting for the other to blink first. Let's hope that a bluff or a straight face doesn't wait at the end.
Can we talk about the heavyweight studio CEOs joining in? Sarandos and Walden jumping onto the negotiation train is a show that would get high ratings on Netflix or Disney+, if only we had the writers to script it.
The bit about the "preservation of the writers' room" reminds me of when studios thought talkies would never catch on. Now, the room is as indispensable as the actors themselves. Who knew that guaranteed employment days would become the new 'green M&M' demand of our era?
Finally, let's pour one out for our picketing professionals in LA - Taking a forced break come Monday as Mother Nature seems to be the only one capable of stepping in, even if it is for a break. But don't get too comfortable, folks. This storm might be passing but we can't say the same for the strike. Back on the picket line soon we hope, and even better, back on the pages where your talents truly serve us all.
