The movie industry is currently facing one of its biggest strikes in history.
Many actors and scriptwriters in the movie business are on strike since May 2nd.
You may wonder and ask, why are they doing this?
Fear not, we are here to break it down!
The strike is organized by The Writers Guild of America (WGA).
The WGA is made up of two unions: the East and the West, composed of movie and television writers.
They work hand in hand to discuss with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The AMPTP represents the largest production and streaming companies like Netflix, Paramount, Warner Bros etc.
Every three years, the WGA and AMPTP discuss an updated contract together which then must be confirmed by the latter.
The WGA members agreed to strike if an agreement was not reached by May 1st.
The unions’ first strike together since 1960 hasn’t stopped since.
There are many reasons why this strike is happening.
Writers and workers in the industry are denied adequate workplace protections.
The continuous rise of AI isn’t helping the situation with actors and writers worrying about their work being copied.
Writers are also concerned about their contracts sustaining inflation and minimal wages.
Profits are also split unevenly due to a lack of compensation.
The use of writers’ “mini rooms” has also been a major issue.
These rooms are made up of smaller writers’ rooms to write pilot episodes and movie scripts.
They are paid far less and face the possibility of not being employed for the rest of the movie or show’s production.
Shows and movies sent straight to streaming are blamed for this change.
It is the largest strike since the pandemic and many movie productions have been halted.
Deadpool 3 and Gladiator 2 have been a few of the many affected.
House of The Dragon, Andor and many other television shows have also been affected with some filming without writers on set.
Thousands of actors have joined the strike, with the Oppenheimer cast the latest after their London premiere.
It is a major concern for movie industry people, and it ripples into audiences as well.
Many people residing in Los Angeles or nearby states are joining the strike attracting thousands in attendance.
Those overseas donate to The Entertainment Community Fund to offer necessary items to strikers.
The snacklist is also delivering food for strikers and has raised over $30,000 so far.
What do you think of this? DM us and let us know!
