As contract negotiations have continued, leaders of the Writers Guild of America have asked their members to give them authority to call a strike should they fail to reach an agreement on a new contract with studios by May 1. While a strike is not assured, many in Hollywood say the union is poised to stage its first walkout in 15 years. A strike would halt much of film and TV production nationwide and upend an industry that is a cornerstone of Southern California’s economy. This package of stories explains the roots of the labor tensions, the upheaval facing major studios amid shifts in how entertainment is consumed, lessons learned from the last big walkout and what consumers might expect to see.
The surge in streaming content launched a new era of peak TV and created new opportunities for many writers. But it also produced fresh challenges, especially for working writers who are finding it harder to earn a living crafting scripts for film and TV. The Times spoke with five writers who shared their stories. >GO TO STORY
What lessons, if any, were learned from the last major strike, which was in 2007-08 and lasted 100 days? We talked with some of those involved for their perspective on the takeaways from a strike that brought significant gains for WGA members but also caused massive disruption to the film and TV industry and to Southern California’s economy. >GO TO STORY
While writers complain that they have been short-changed by the streaming revolution, major media companies are experiencing their own upheaval that has led to mass layoffs at the Walt Disney Co. and other studios. The economic uncertainty along with the shifting nature of the producers’ alliance — which now includes tech giants such as Apple and Netflix — complicate tense contract negotiations with the Writers Guild of America. >GO TO STORY
What will we watch if a Hollywood writers strike once again rattles the television universe? If history is any indication, there’s at least one answer: reality TV. And plenty of it. >GO TO STORY
Inside the business of entertainment
The Wide Shot brings you news, analysis and insights on everything from streaming wars to production — and what it all means for the future.
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