Sept. 28, 2023

WGA and AMPTP are Reaching a Deal

The 2023 Writers Guild of America strike may finally come to a conclusion, with the announcement of a tentative new deal with Hollywood studios to end the writers’ strike situation. By: Dylan Low

In a significant development, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have agreed on a new contract that could finally mark the end of a long 146-day strike period.

The guild has disclosed to their members in a sent release last week, “We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language.

"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 guild further elaborated.

With specific information of the tentative agreement undisclosed, the guild announced a summary would be provided ahead of the membership ratification votes. 

Details of the WGA strike

The strike started since May 2 by the WGA. Representing over 11,500 film, television, news and online writers, the strike takes place with demand for better pay and clearer regulations stated over the use of AI, white discussing other key points surrounding staffing commitments and employment durations.

The 2023 WGA strike marked the first time since 2007 that the writers refused to work, in which the WGA and AMPTP failed to compromise over DVD residual and other issues, spanning over three months.1988 was their longest strike which lasted for 153 days and happened because of residuals for hour-long shows and expanded creative rights.

Famous Hollywood actors such as Abbott Elementary and Quinta Brunson were also involved as they vocally expressed their support by taking to the picket lines, raising awareness for the Writer’s Guild Strike.

Both parties met in person on Wednesday and online virtually on Friday to get the contract agreement settled.

Films, TV Shows and Events affected

Coupled with the ongoing strike with Singapore Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), it has impacted Hollywood’s abrupt film and media industry with both writers and actors out of work. Movies such as the Gladiator sequel and Deadpool 3 have stopped mid-production while some movies are now extending their completion into 2024. 

TV shows have also been delayed with possible extensions and reshuffling times, with the Dune 2 series set to be released March next year instead of November this year.

This directly affects events happening related to the film and screen industry, such as Comic-Con International. With project panels namely Dune 2 and Abbott Elementary being removed, it had severely disrupted the show’s programming. Due to the ongoing writers and actors strike, The Emmy Awards will also be postponed and now take place in January 2024, four months after its scheduled September date.

With the new deal being agreed, Hollywood will now shift towards officially signing on the WGA deal and focusing on the SAG-AFTRA strike alongside AMPTP, in hopes of discussing an agreement to end the 73-day long actors’ strike.

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