The Impending Resolution of Hollywood’s Screenwriters’ Strike: What Lies Ahead?

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The nearly five-month-long Hollywood strike involving unionized screenwriters seems poised for resolution, following a tentative agreement with studios, streaming platforms, and production companies that employ them. Here is an overview of the subsequent phases for the writers and the actors, whose strike remains unresolved.

Initial Steps: Two Decisive Votes Required

Following an intensive five-day period of negotiations, which saw participation from chief executives of major Hollywood studios, an agreement was struck on a Sunday night between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The contract, which is slated to last for the industry-standard three years, still needs formal approval.

Two key votes are required to formally conclude the strike. Initially, the governing boards of the WGA’s eastern and western branches must ratify the agreement. Subsequently, the contract must gain approval from the union’s 11,500-strong membership. This voting procedure is standard practice for Hollywood unions and occurs each time a new triennial contract is up for negotiation, although it is unusual for it to happen at the end of an extended strike. During the last writers’ strike in 2008, the boards voted within two days of reaching an agreement, and the general membership followed suit two days later. The contract was overwhelmingly approved, with more than 90% of the voting members in favor.

However, a favorable vote is not guaranteed. Dissatisfaction among some members is likely, given the compromises reached on issues such as remuneration, writing staff sizes, and the employment of artificial intelligence in scriptwriting. This comes after nearly five months of picketing. It is worth noting that a last-minute 2021 agreement with another Hollywood union barely received approval but was ultimately ratified, primarily because of the urgent need to resume work.

Resumption of Writing and Production

Once the agreement receives approval, some writers will return to work sooner than others. Late-night talk shows, which were among the first to feel the impact of the strike, could be back on air within days. Programs such as NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and CBS’s “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” may resume broadcasts swiftly. However, these shows might face limitations due to the ongoing actors’ strike, affecting the availability of their regular guests.

Unlike the WGA, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has adopted a less stringent stance. Interim agreements have been granted, allowing several non-studio productions to proceed, thereby reducing potential obstacles to the resumption of shows.

Writers for scripted television series that were shut down due to the strike, such as Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” Apple TV+’s “Severance,” and ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” are also expected to recommence work shortly. However, the absence of actors to perform the roles will inevitably lead to extended delays in production.

Similarly, film writers will return to work, albeit on a more gradual schedule. Writers currently engaged in late-stage revisions for already scheduled releases, such as “Deadpool 3” and “Superman: Legacy,” will be keen to expedite their work to avert further delays.

The Future of the Actors’ Strike

AMPTP has prioritized resolving the screenwriters’ strike, which started two months earlier, before engaging in negotiations with the actors. SAG-AFTRA leaders have revealed that they have not been approached by the AMPTP since their strike commenced on July 14. However, this situation is likely to change in the near future, prompting a new round of talks. It remains uncertain how long these negotiations will last, considering the initial round of talks between the AMPTP and WGA broke down quickly before eventually reaching a conclusion in less than a week during the second round.

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For further information on the ongoing strikes affecting actors and writers, please visit: Hollywood Strikes News

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hollywood screenwriters’ strike

More about Hollywood screenwriters’ strike

• Writers Guild of America Official Website
• Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers Official Site
• Overview of Hollywood Labor Strikes
• Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) Official Website
• Impact of Labor Strikes on the Entertainment Industry
• Timeline of the 2008 Writers Strike
• Labor Negotiations in Hollywood
• Late Night Talk Shows and Industry Strikes
• Artificial Intelligence in Scriptwriting