Strike Significance
From May 2, 2023, to September 27, 2023, screenwriters of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike due to compensation concerns and threats of overpowering usage of artificial intelligence in Los Angeles, California. The strike occurred outside of Paramount Studios and grew as WGA members expanded to different studios and encouraged crew members in other productions to join their fight. This technique showed effectiveness as The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) began their own strike on July 14th. The severity of the strike left productions like Saturday Night Live and Stranger Things delayed and/or terminated. Over 37,700 jobs were lost, and around $6 billion were wasted in production value. This led to the companies having to modify their regulations just to stay in business. It caused many major changes involving the work of both companies and the entire film industry.
The 148-day strike ended after an agreement was established. On October 9th, WGA and SAG-AFTRA issued a 3-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The contract ensures better pay for writers, favorable terms with streaming productions, and assurance against the wide use of AI. According to CNCB, “The guild announced that 99% of its membership voted to ratify the new deal.” The WGA declared this deal as “exceptional” as it protects writers from their fear of being useless. It will be in effect from September 25, 2023, through May 1, 2026. As of now, writers are gradually getting back to work, and productions are jumping back on track. Jacqueline Weir, a film student at Allen D. Nease High School, is thrilled with the news and believes that “they need higher pay because without the writers, shows and movies are nothing.”
Only time will tell how the recent strike will influence the film industry. After the previous 2007 writers’ strike occurred, many changes were made in the industry. According to The New York Times, networks cut back on script programming and streaming services were granted a more flexible schedule. The dynamics of television were altered. Amaya Mangus, a student at Allen D. Nease High School, believes that the new movies in the box office will be some of the best we’ve gotten in a while. Moreover, screenwriters may put in more effort since they are now receiving a desirable reward of compensation.
By: Kaylee Ireland
