There is a lot of information floating around about the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike occurring nationwide, yet public awareness remains low. Through this piece, I plan to tell you what it's about, why it's important, and why you should care.
WHAT IS THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA (WGA)
Writers Guild of America (WGA) is a labor union that represents and advocates for professional writers in the American entertainment industry. It is made up of two separate entities: the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW), representing writers in the western United States, primarily Los Angeles, and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), representing writers on the east coast, primarily New York City. The WGA negotiates contracts on behalf of its members, ensuring fair wages, working conditions, and protecting their rights. It plays a crucial role in the industry by fighting for the interests and well-being of writers who create content for film, television, and other media platforms.
THE ISSUES
Simply put, the Writers Guild of America is looking for changes that make their profession livable and protect it from emerging technology. The WGA is concerned about the use of artificial intelligence, particularly how it can be used in the writing process and how it is credited (e.g., for residuals, royalties, etc.). The WGA is also concerned about the use of AI when it comes to rewriting scripts and crafting storylines, especially in terms of who gets credited for the original story and if studios can save money by rendering writers ineligible for the "created by" credit through the use of artificial intelligence.
On another note, writers are seeking a bigger commitment to having more writers in rooms and on set, as well as opportunities for them to be employed longer. With the advent of streaming, writers are not making as much with residuals, and they want to receive more profit from the work they create. Additionally, with the change from TV show seasons being 22 episodes a year to shorter 6-episode seasons, writers aren't being paid as much, and making a consistent income is making their job unlivable. Additionally, studios have shifted away from traditional writing rooms and implemented the use of mini rooms when a show is still in development. While traditional writers' rooms had 7 to 8 writers, a mini room consists of 2 to 3 writers that help "showrunners crack the first two or three scripts, after a plot is written" (Pulman, Variety).
In defense of mini rooms, "studios have argued that the WGA's demands for mandatory staffing levels on shows are incompatible with the creative nature of the industry and the need for flexibility on production" (National Research Group). However, after listening to a recent Hollywood Reporter podcast featuring writers from the TV show Happy Endings, a show that ran three seasons and had a total of 23 writers, 21 of which became showrunners, it became evident why the use of mini rooms is problematic and how traditional writers' rooms do leave space for flexibility and are conducive to a creative environment.
As Rutherford Falls creator Sierra Teller Ornelas said, "what's happening now with these small orders and small rooms is you have a whole staff who has been writing, they're moving up the ranks, they might be like co-EP level, and they've never been on set" (Hollywood Reporter). By limiting the number of writers on set and trying to cut costs, studios are not allowing the next generation of creators to be in places where they should be, for the overall well-being of the entertainment industry. As evident with Happy Endings, a successful show can be run effectively and simultaneously allow people to hone their skills and give them the capability to move up in their careers. Without the option to learn, move up in a career, and make a livable earning, it creates more incompatibility with the creative nature of the industry.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STRIKE
With the content previously discussed in the last section, it should come as no surprise when I say that writers' wages are not keeping up with rising inflation, and with shorter seasons, it is becoming harder to live a worthwhile life. As the Hollywood Reporter put it, "the model is not set up to support artists, but rather making money... they're all in the business of being profitable... but they have no problem paying Ted Sarandos and those guys $80 million in bonuses" (Hollywood Reporter). This WGA strike is so important because it sets a precedent for equity in the entertainment industry, as well as how new technology is used. That is definitely why the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) had an overwhelming 97.91% of members approve going on strike because their concerns echo those of the WGA.
Particularly for AI, how the WGA and studios deal with the usage of AI will tell a lot about how AI will impact the entire labor force. Not only will this be the first large-scale negotiation on how AI is impacting the workforce for an entire industry, which will show other industries how to deal with AI, but when thinking about the nature of a writer's job, which is creating content that fuels our culture globally, it will be interesting to see how the usage of AI is implemented with work that defines so much of popular culture.
What's interesting about the usage of AI is that, through NRG's recent
research, they found that a majority of people wouldn't be concerned with watching content that AI had a hand in creating. However, if studios began replacing jobs with AI, there would be strong public backlash. Additionally, there seems to be a trend where people are more likely to want studios to completely rule out the use of AI if they are stronger supporters of the strike. But I think there is a space where AI can assist and not threaten a writer's job. It ultimately comes down to the regulations set forth by this strike.
As with every political election, people always say "this election is the most important, go out and vote." But for this current WGA strike, this strike is actually the most important event in WGA's history. Right now is the perfect and only time to rectify the treatment of writers to ensure equality, as well as set standards and regulate how artificial intelligence will be used in the entertainment industry. So that artists can make a livable wage and not be manipulated by the use of AI.
IMPACT ON THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
As reported in the National Research Group white paper, "the 2007-2008 writers' strike—which lasted for more than 3 months and cost the entertainment industry an estimated $2 billion—is expected to have a dramatic impact on the production of a wide range of films and TV shows" (NRG). The strike has already impacted our favorite shows, with both Stranger Things (the final season) being postponed and Saturday Night Live ending its season early. But for entertainment industry workers, especially those who earn an honest living and are not swimming in cash, they are struggling to keep afloat because of a lack of income, which becomes even more stressful when the major entertainment hubs (NYC, LA, Chicago, Atlanta) are all expensive cities to live in.
As shown in the statistics provided by NRG, as awareness of the writers' strike grows, so does one's overall level of support for the cause. When viewers were asked what concerned them the most about the strike, many expressed concern about the cancellation and postponement of their favorite shows, lack of new movies, and lack of quality entertainment. With the pandemic, people are spending more time consuming media, and TikTok can't carry all the weight to ensure people stay engaged and interested in the media they are consuming.
As the strike continues, public understanding and sympathy continue to grow. Sooner or later, studios will stop having content to release, and viewers will start to see how the strike is impacting their lives. What's promising, though, is that with the Screen Actors Guild approving a strike and the majority of the public in support of the strike, there seems to be a sense of unity throughout the entertainment industry. The WGA does not seem like they are going to budge too much on the issues that are important to address, which might make negotiations take longer. However, hopefully, the end result is one that supports artists by giving them a livable wage and allows them to use emerging technology (AI) as assistance and not a threat to their job.
Information has been updated to reflect SAG news July 1, 2023.
**Charts and Graphs provided by National Research Group’s White Paper (Linked Below)
Sources:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/film-editor-view-writers-strike-1235511140/
Kommentare