By Lauren Hyland
The Writers Guild of America (WGA), a union of 12,000 writers working in the film industry, went on strike while negotiating with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for a multitude of reasons.
The writers began the strike on May 2, 2023, and it spanned until Sept. 27, 2023. The WGA first formed in 1954, but with the recent creation and popularization of streaming services, the group was launched into newfound residual payment issues.
Before streaming, Writers were paid in two ways when shows were mostly played through cable or over-the-air broadcasts. First, writers received a payment right after their work was completed and second, they were paid residuals, which meant they would receive payment as the show did well, was reaired, was made into a DVD, etc. However, with the advancement of streaming, writers were often paid once after their work was complete but then not paid residuals.
Writers have also expressed concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in content creation. The WGA called for regulations to ensure that AI tools were utilized ethically and did not undermine the creative contributions of human writers. The negotiation table became a battleground for defining the role of AI in content production, with the WGA seeking safeguards to protect writers from potential job displacement and loss of creative control.
Amidst the discussions on compensation and technological advancements, the WGA also emphasized the need for improved workplace standards. This included initiatives to address issues of mental health, diversity and inclusion within the industry. Writers sought commitments from studios to create environments that fostered creativity, inclusivity and fair treatment for all members of the writing community.
After almost five months of picket line protesting, a tentative agreement was finalized.
According to the Summary of the 2023 WGA MBA released by the Writers Guild of America West regarding High Budget Subscription Video on Demand (HBSVOD). Foreign streaming residuals will now be based on the streaming service’s number of foreign subscribers for services available globally, amounting to a 76% increase in the foreign residual for the services with the largest global subscriber basis over three years. The Guild also negotiated a new residual based on viewership. Series or films made for HBSVOD have increased residual payments based on viewership, with views calculated as hours streamed domestically of the project divided by runtime.
AI regulations have also been put in place. The final agreement created restrictions on AI on MBA projects. It is now set that AI cannot write or rewrite literary material and that material still be considered source material. However, a writer can choose to use AI when performing writing services if the company they are working with provides consent. The company must also disclose to the writer if any materials given to the writer incorporate any AI material. It is also prohibited that someone exploit writers’ material to train AI and improve its skills.
General work standard and regulation improvements have been implemented as well. Several improvements include increased health and pension contribution rate, increased payment, increased compensation for series employment and increased limit for the amount of writers on a project.
Writers are poised to return to their jobs now that these benefits they fought for are put into place. Many daytime and late night shows have returned after taking a leap of absence due to the strike and show and movie series can get back to pre-writing the next season or scene.
Many influential people have shared their excitement and support across social media for the writers and end of the strike. Some include Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert. All major late night hosts who supported the strike and encouraged the deal created a podcast titled Strike Force Five to raise funds for those participating in the protest and not working at the time and its audience on late night television.
“The reason we’re doing this is because we are financially supporting members of our staff,” Jimmy Kimmel said, a part of the Strike Force Five.
The end of the strike had brought movie production and television shows back on track alongside the newly negotiated benefits.
