The 2023 Writers Strike
Before reading this article, I want you to think of one of your favorite moments in a movie—the first thing that pops into your head. Ask yourself, how did it make you feel? Was it the characters? Was it the dialogue? Was it the action? Was it the heart of the moment? For me, the scene that came to mind was in Jurassic Park when Dr. Grant and Ellie Sattler see the Brontosaurus for the first time. You experience this new world alongside the characters, feeling it the way they feel it. The line "Welcome to Jurassic Park" is just the cherry on top. But none of these things just happened. Spielberg didn't simply take a camera to Hawaii and say, "Let's wing it." No. That moment was written. It came from the brains of David Koepp and Michael Crichton, flowing through their fingertips and onto celluloid. The writer is where the story is born, and in a world with endless content, Hollywood seems to have forgotten its unsung hero, which is why the WGA is on strike.
CREDIT: George Rose/Getty Images & Bebeto Matthews / AP
CREDIT: Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times, David McNew/Getty Images, & Jonathan Alcorn/Bloomberg
Before we dive into the current strike, let’s take a quick look at previous strikes. This is the eighth strike by the WGA (even though during the 1952 strike they were called The Screen Writers Guild and not the Writers Guild of America). The strikes occurred in 1952, 1960, 1973, 1981, 1985, 1988, and the 2007-2008 writers strike. While unfair contracts, residual compensation, and unjust wages have been common themes in all these strikes, another consistent factor is Studio Executives taking advantage of changing times and neglecting the involvement of writers. In 1952, it involved Radio and Theatrical Writers having the opportunity to write for television. In 1973, it concerned movies shown on video cassettes and pay television. In the '80s, it revolved around home video and foreign broadcast, while in 2007 and 2008, the focus shifted to internet distribution.
Not to say that one strike was more important than the others, but the 2007-2008 Writers Strike had a profound impact on modern-day deals and our perception of TV. The rise of Reality TV was notable as networks sought to fill the gaps left by scripted shows. Some series seemed to vanish and never returned, leaving viewers and fans disappointed. Furthermore, it is estimated that the 2007-2008 Writers Strike inflicted approximately $2 billion in economic losses on the California Economy. This strike also played a role in shaping the current strike we are experiencing. The aftermath of the 2007-2008 Writers Strike set the stage for the current strike we are witnessing.
In 2007 & 2008 there was still Blockbuster, Netflix just started streaming, and no one ever thought that theaters would go out of business. However, we now find ourselves in the streaming era, which has not only transformed how we consume films but also how writers are compensated. Back-end residuals used to be a significant source of income for writers. While residuals still exist, the way contracts and deals are structured for movies on streaming services has severely impacted the amount of money received, and in some cases, the residuals may not even be there. Consequently, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) is advocating for increased upfront fees to address this issue.
CREDIT: George Rose/Getty Images
CREDIT: Leonardo Munoz/AFP
If you’re not in the industry you may be thinking “Well those writers make a lot of money and they’re being greedy.” I know this because I’ve talked with people who aren’t in the industry and they’ve said this to me verbatim. Yes, you do have some big time writers who make a lot of money when they sell a script. But that’s not the normal. Most of the writers in the industry are staff writers, and per average staff writers make 50k. Which in LA or NYC, is not liveable. When you consider the stark contrast between these writers' earnings and the multimillion-dollar salaries of major studio CEOs, who profit from the material the writers have envisioned, it becomes clear that providing a living wage for these writers is not only essential but also feasible.
The writers' strike highlights the crucial role of writers in shaping the stories we love. It's a fight for fair pay, recognition, and creative rights in an industry that often overlooks them. With the rise of streaming and new ways of consuming content, it's important to address the changing landscape and ensure writers aren't left behind. It's a call for the industry to recognize the value of these talented individuals and work towards a more equitable future. Let's support writers in their fight for fair treatment and a seat at the table. After all, the stories we cherish wouldn't exist without their imagination and hard work.
CREDIT: David McNew/Getty Images
For The Love Of Movies,
Jonathan Austin
