We’re not the only entertainment industry that bickers from within. A case in point: the ongoing struggle between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) which could result in a full-blown strike.
We’re not the only entertainment industry that bickers from within. A case in point: the ongoing struggle between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) which could result in a full-blown strike. With more than 96 per cent members of the WGA voting to authorize its union a strike against production companies, all bets are off.
According to deadline, the WGA is asking for more “pay for TV writers” and “a rescue of the WGA’s failing health plan” which is a reasonable demand but will producers step up?
In a recent statement, the AMPTP said on the matter: “The Companies are committed to reaching a deal at the bargaining table that keeps the industry working. The 2007 Writers Strike hurt everyone. Writers lost more than $287 million in compensation that was never recovered, deals were cancelled, and many writers took out strike loans to make ends meet. We remain focused on our objective of reaching a deal with the WGA at the bargaining table when the Guild returns.”
In another report, it has been revealed that current contracts will expire on May 1 which means that if negotiations fall through, it would mean that TV shows will see shorter seasons, movie productions will be delayed and financial losses will be accumulated by both sides.
As Market Watch explains it, the first casualty of the strike will be “late-night talk shows and daytime soap operas” as production will be ceased in entirety. And while current network TV season is almost over, the effect will hurt summer shows as well as all shows that head into production in April and May.
