A short-term win for creatives and a longer-term loss?
News dropped yesterday morning that a settlement had been reached. While the writers have been touting a big victory, the details are still a bit murky. This morning’s episode of the NYT The Daily podcast, “Did Hollywood Writers Get Their Happy Ending?” provides some clarity. The transcript is not yet available.
Media reporter John Koblin is the guest and the interview is based on his report (with Brooks Barnes) “On Day 146, Screenwriters Reach Deal With Studios to End Their Strike.” In terms of the short term, not much has changed:
“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional — with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” the Writers Guild’s negotiating committee said in an email to members.
Conspicuously not doing a victory lap was the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of studios. “The W.G.A. and A.M.P.T.P. have reached a tentative agreement” was its only comment.
For an industry upended by the streaming revolution, which the pandemic sped up, the tentative accord represents a meaningful step toward stabilization.
But much of Hollywood will remain at a standstill: Tens of thousands of actors remain on strike, and no talks between the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, and the studios were scheduled.
