WGA Strikes ‘Exceptional’ Deal With AMPTP

(Image cred: DALL-E 2, WGA, Maci Mallaia/Procreate)

TV fiends, film buffs and creatives, lend me your ears. Thanks to five consecutive days of epic cooperation between two protagonists in media production, our economy and thirst for entertainment are no longer subject to future tragedies of Shakespearian proportions!

The WGA came to a tentative agreement with the AMPTP on September 24th, resurrecting scripting and development for many TV series, movies and broadcast media channels as long as a majority of its writers concur. 

The Pilot Episode of Enduring Progress

After 146 days of withholding ink from Hollywood’s scroll, the WGA unfurled a deal with the AMPTP. Although the union won’t technically close the strike until members vote to secure the three-year contract, its leaders suspended picketing and are confident that members will return to the writers’ room to hash out stories within weeks. 

The union accomplished all of its aims and sent a message to its 11,000+ media writers, shouting “with great pride, that this deal is exceptional — with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector.” Phew!

(Image cred: DALL-E 2, Maci Mallaia/Procreate)

As the Curmudgeonly crier of incredible news that arrived much sooner than anticipated — saving our bank accounts and attention spans from catastrophe — I should also mention that the army of creatives that bring the scenes developed in the writers’ room to life is still very much on strike.

We may be settling for talk shows and late-night television for a while longer as the production of our scripted favorites relies upon the eventual resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike negotiations. However, it’s safe to say that this is the beginning of a glorious end with a new precedent for workers across all fields in a new era of technological progress.

The Next Chapter: Any News About SAG-AFTRA?

SAG-AFTRA leaders commended the WGA for its triumphant “strength, resiliency, and solidarity” in the face of unfair treatment, but they have yet to win their own half of the battle between artists and the AMPTP.

(Image cred: Photo Illustration by Salon/Getty Images)

With Fran Drescher leading the charge, it’s no surprise that this union’s demands draw a harder line in the sand. At her behest, for instance, members must receive 2% of the total revenue generated by streaming shows to suit up for their roles — an uncrossable line per the AMPTP.

What’s the purpose of acquiring scripts if you can’t call upon 160,000+ skilled performers? Hollywood’s ruling companies will eventually have to come down from their high horse, lest they lose sight of the larger picture.  

After negotiating satisfactory treaties around AI, payment, mini rooms  and more with their wordy counterpart — the details of which have yet to be disclosed — the AMPTP should have no problem accommodating SAG-AFTRA once they come to their senses. The final chapter awaits us.

(Image cred: iStock, Maci Mallaia/Procreate)