TV and movie writers began picketing studios on Tuesday after the WGA and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to come to an agreement over a new contract. For the first time in 15 years, guild members are fanning out across Hollywood, New York and other areas with signs lettered with slogans proclaiming why writers are so crucial to creating all types of entertainment.
The guild says writers are facing a crisis due to the shift to streaming, with fewer TV episodes and lower residuals.
At Netflix’s Hollywood headquarters Tuesday, writers were chanting “Exploitation, ain’t no way! Writers better get their pay!”
Meanwhile in New York, a picket sign read, “Pay your writers or we’ll spoil ‘Succession’!”
Courtney Perdue, a writer on “Up Here” and “Gossip Girl,” told PvNew, “No one wants this, but it’s necessary. This business starts on the page. No pages, no profits.”
Actor-writer-producer John Leguizamo says, “I stand with all my fellow writers because they deserve what they are asking for and none of it is unreasonable. All the profits are in streaming and we are not sharing in that wealth.”
Among the shows that are already feeling the impact are “Saturday Night Live,” which is going into reruns, and late-night shows including “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “The Late Show,” “Tonight” and “Late Night,” which are all going into reruns.
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NYC picket at Peacock NewFronts
Image Credit: Michael Schneider
