Optimism emerges amongst Hollywood writers over talks with studios

Published: August 17, 2023

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After three months of strolling the picket strains, placing Hollywood writers expressed optimism concerning the reopening of contract talks with main studios and the likelihood they might be again at work in weeks.

Details of the newest proposal from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the commerce group representing Walt Disney, Netflix and different main studios and streamers, stay shrouded in secrecy. Still, members of the Writers Guild of America see purpose for hope.

“I’m feeling cautiously optimistic. I was here for the 2007-8 strike and talking can go very slowly, talking can break down or talking, if they come with a real deal, can go pretty quickly,” Flashpoint author Pam Davis informed Reuters exterior Amazon Studios in Culver City.

“So, I’m kind of in the camp where I think we’re gonna be back to work in September,” she added. “But if we’re not, we’re okay with that. If it’s not the right deal, we’re not going to take it.”

Writers went on strike on May 2 over an deadlock on compensation, minimal staffing in writers’ rooms, residual funds and curbs on synthetic intelligence. They have been joined on the picket strains on July 14 by members of the Screen Actors Guild, successfully halting a lot of US movie and scripted tv manufacturing.

In what can be an indication of progress in a months-long labor dispute, negotiators for the WGA and AMPTP met on Tuesday to debate the newest contract proposal, greater than 100 days into the strike.

“They’re talking again when they weren’t a couple of weeks ago,” stated WGA liaison and Physical author Ok.C. Scott. “That’s what I’m holding onto.”

Scott added that whereas he does not know what AMPTP supplied the guild, the WGA is making ready a counteroffer that he trusts will likely be in the perfect curiosity of the writers.

While Law and Order author and WGA liaison Terri Kopp can also be upbeat about talks with studios persevering with, she is anxious about info leaking from their confidential negotiating periods.

“It makes us suspicious because the leaks are designed to make them (the studios) look good and the WGA look bad,” Kopp stated. “I think there’s a possibility they’re trying to get our hopes up and then pull the football out like Lucy.”

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