Writers are demanding Hollywood listen up and realize how important they are to the entertainment industry. The last WGA strike took place over the course of a hundred days from November 5th, 2007 to February 12th, 2008. The 2023 strike could last just as long or longer if demands aren't met any time soon, greatly impacting numerous television shows and films during their productions.
But what exactly is the 2023 WGA Strike, and why does it have the support of hundreds of stars? What has actors and television hosts, like Drew Barrymore, joining in solidary with the screenwriters of the guild? Here's the breakdown of the current WGA strike and why most of Hollywood has joined together in support.
What Is The 2023 WGA Writer's Strike?
It's not shocking to discover that many screenwriters in Hollywood aren't paid what they are worth, often regarded as less important than they truly are to a production. These strikes entail members of the major labor union of Hollywood writers, the Writers Guild of America (WGA), halting writing and working on productions unless their demands are met and their voices are heard. If writers do any work during the strike they could be massively fined or removed from the Guild.
This year, we saw the WGA try negotiating with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which is in charge of many studios and production companies, to no avail and the strike began on May 2nd. The last major WGA strike took place from the end of 2007 to the beginning of 2008. It lasted a hundred days, reportedly cost a loss of $2.1 billion, and massively impacted our entertainment. The 2023 strike may go on for longer and have an even greater impact if demands aren't met, even resulting in SAG-AFTRA joining in to strike next.
Why Did The 2023 WGA Writer's Strike Start?
One of the main reasons for the strike is because of the unfair pay writers are receiving for their work. Writers have received significantly lower residuals and averages over recent years, even though they are a huge part of the production of a film, series, or even a talk show. They want to come to an agreement on a minimum wage and be fairly paid for the groundwork they lay for any project. Even writers on some of the most recognizable and beloved series and films are struggling to make ends meet, stuck being paid roughly the same amount they were half a decade ago.
These same writers are being paid less for their screenplays and being forced to do more unpaid labor like rewrites and work on sets since they were paid only for their original scripts. Writers have a much larger role on a set than many may even realize.
The Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA) was the agreement made in 2020 for the WGA writers for a minimum wage, but it has a set of stipulations. Streaming television, one of the largest markets, isn't included in the MBA, forcing them to make their own negotiations and often leading to less pay. They would also like to see every member of a writers team paid their fair dues and not have to have a set number of writers on a staff.
However, their desire for fair wages isn't the only major issue they've brought forth in this year's strike, another major issue comes in the form of the increasingly prevalent artificial intelligence. AI has become a powerful tool lately, with tools like ChatGPT being used by thousands. There are major problems for artists, however, as these tools can steal artwork, ideas, and even write scripts based on existing work. The WGA is rightfully upset about devices like ChatGPT and their potential for replacement by AI, wanting to make sure they are only used as helpful tools instead of taking over their jobs.
What Celebrities Have Joined The 2023 WGA Writer's Strike Picket Lines?
Many big-time celebrities have already joined the picket lines, with an increase every day. Many actors are also producers and writers, like Tina Fey and Fred Armisen, but there are some who simply want to stand in solidary with their creative team and support their writers.
For example, Drew Barrymore was set to host the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards this May, but she dropped out to stand with the writers. Not only that, but the strike will surely have implications on her hosting abilities for The Drew Barrymore Show.
Many late night shows have gone dark during the strike, such as Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Daily Show, with their hosts in support of their writers that make their shows possible. Though it has been reported that a member of Jimmy Fallon's staff states the crew will be put on unpaid leave.
Huge stars of the big and small screen have been seen picketing since May 2nd, including Susan Sarandon, Rob Lowe, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bob Odenkirk, Cynthia Nixon, Wanda Sykes, John Mulaney, Bill Nye, Pete Davidson, Rachel Bloom and much of her Crazy Ex-Girlfriend co-stars, and even Imagine Dragons - who performed on a bench in support. These stars know they would be nowhere and wouldn't have a job without the incredible writers who craft the stories they perform and produce.
What Series And Films Have Been Affected By The 2023 WGA Writer's Strike?
While not every film or series has announced their production has been halted by the WGA strike, there have many who have been vocal about shutting down until the writers' voices are heard, with many not being able to do anything without crossing picket lines in the first place. Other projects can move forward, but lose out on having writers present on set, as the scripts have already been written - like for season two of HBO's House of the Dragon and season two of Amazon's The Rings of Power.
On television, the late night talk shows aren't the only ones being majorly affected right now. Some of the most popular shows on both streaming and broadcast that have been halted, shut down, or have gone dark include SNL, Abbott Elementary, Disney+'s Andor, Family Guy and American Dad, Netflix's Big Mouth, Cobra Kai, and Stranger Things, and YellowJackets.
Fewer films have been impacted because their scripts are usually finished farther in advance, but some major companies like Marvel have faced their share of shut-downs, including their Blade reboot. Another film that has shut down is Good Fortune, that features Seth Rogen and Keanu Reeves and is also the feature directorial debut for Aziz Ansari.
Unfortunately, the list will only grow if the WGA's demands aren't heard and met and Hollywood will continue with their losses until so. But there is no Hollywood without the writers, and there never will be.