Strike Negotiations Slow After WGA Proposal Goes Public
By Movieguide® Contributor
Negotiations between the WGA and the AMPTP have stalled again as the publication of the August 11 deal caused major strife.
On August 22, the AMPTP released their proposal to the WGA on August 11 to show the public that they had made concessions on major issues. The move, however, helped the WGA, whose members quickly dissected the offer, publicizing loopholes and major issues that had yet to be addressed.
While the AMPTP has received a largely negative response since making the offer public, WGA leadership appears encouraged by the progress shown in that offer.
In a memo to members on Thursday, WGA leadership noted that there had been “real discussions” with the AMPTP, “but we are not yet where we need to be. As one example, they continue to refuse to regulate the use of our work to train AI to write new content for a motion picture,” per Variety.
“The companies’ counteroffer is neither nothing, nor nearly enough,” said guild leadership. “We will continue to advocate for proposals that fully address our issues rather than accept half measures like those mentioned above and other proposals not listed here.”
As the summer comes to a close, the AMPTP faces immense pressure to close a deal with the WGA. Production on new TV episodes would generally need to begin by Labor Day for a significant season to run during the Spring television season, as Movieguide® previously reported.
This places significant power in the WGA’s hands, which knows that the inability to show new seasons in the Fall or Spring would heavily impact the already-crippled cable and broadcast TV networks.
Meanwhile, negotiations with the SAG-AFTRA have gone completely cold as the AMPTP focuses on resolving the writers’ strike. While the SAG-AFTRA’s executive director revealed there has been some “back-channel” discussion, there have been no formal moves to bring both sides back to the table, Variety added.
Union leadership told actors in a recent email that they are ready to return to negotiations “at a moment’s notice” and are just waiting on the AMPTP.
“Unfortunately, as we’ve seen from the recent news out of the WGA negotiations, it appears the AMPTP is still unwilling to make the concessions necessary to make a fair deal that would bring the strikes to a close,” the union said, per Screen Daily.
Movieguide® previously reported:
The AMPTP released its newest offer to end the WGA strike, revealing how studios plan to use generative AI in the future.
Offering “landmark protections for writers surrounding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI),” the proposal outlined that “written material produced by GAI will not be considered literary material” and that “a writer will not be disadvantaged if any part of the script is based on GAI-produced material. [Therefore,] the writer’s compensation, credit and separated rights will not be affected by the use of GAI-produced material,” Deadline reports.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
