Writer's Guild of America Strike

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Sources: U.S. Media
Time: 30 days
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This is the Writer's Guild of America Strike narrative, driven by 9 sources in U.S. Media, amplifying 12 narrative items.
This brief covers various developments in the entertainment industry, including comedian's generosity during a strike, upcoming contract negotiations with Hollywood film crews, disparities in wealth between union and non-union households, challenges facing writers and studios, and new technologies like AI video generators impacting the industry.
The U.S. Media module tracks a broad range of American media sources, including major television, cable, print, and online organizations.
Click to see details for each one
Emergence of Advanced AI Models
OpenAI and Microsoft unveil GPT-4 Turbo and Copilot, respectively, to capitalize on the expanding generative AI market projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2032.
Impact of Industry Contraction and Labor Disruption
Mass layoffs at major studios follow last year's strike, as negotiations aim to keep crew members on the job.
Godzilla and Kong face a new colossal threat in The New Empire, exploring their origins and ties to humankind.
Legendary Pictures’ Monsterverse continues with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, delving into the histories of the Titans and their connection to humankind while facing a new colossal threat.
MrBeast Reality Competition
MrBeast, the biggest YouTube star with 245 million subscribers, is creating the 'Beast Games' reality competition on Amazon Prime with 1,000 contestants from 240 nations.
Paramount's Potential Deals
Paramount is reportedly exploring potential deals with various companies including Discovery, Skydance Media, Apollo Global Management, and Byron Allen, as well as a streaming partnership with Peacock owner Comcast.
Entertainment Writer with Diverse Coverage
Rachel Ulatowski is an SEO writer for The Mary Sue, covering DC, Marvel, Star Wars, YA literature, celebrity news, and coming-of-age films, with over two years of experience in digital media and entertainment.
Hollywood Reporter
33% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Breitbart
8% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Mashable
8% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
The Mary Sue
8% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Vanity Fair
8% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Vox
8% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Variety
8% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Deadline Hollywood
8% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Fortune Magazine
8% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
American Fiction
TV show that won at the Writers Guild Awards.
The Bear
TV show that won at the Writers Guild Awards.
Beef
TV show that won at the Writers Guild Awards.
Succession
TV show that won at the Writers Guild Awards.
Carol Lombardini
AMPTP president spoofed by Writers Guild of America at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
Niecy Nash-Betts
Host of the 2024 Writers Guild Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
Josh Gondelman
Host of the 2024 Writers Guild Awards ceremony in New York and acknowledged repeat wins for certain shows.
Sara Poyzer
Stage star who accused the BBC of replacing her voice in a production with an AI-generated voice.
2024 writers guild awards
Awards ceremony happening in New York and Los Angeles, hosted by Niecy Nash-Betts and Josh Gondelman.
Oscars
Annual awards event where Writers Guild Awards were delayed from their usual slot.
Sora unveiling
Unveiling of OpenAI's AI video generator, Sora, raising concerns about data usage.
Writers Guild of America
Union that ended a 148-day strike and spoofed AMPTP president at awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
Union representing Hollywood film crews currently in negotiations with studios.
SAG-AFTRA
Union that was part of TV and film production strikes in 2023.
Bob's Big Boy
Restaurant where the comedian paid for WGA members' meals during the strike.
Swingers
Another restaurant where the comedian paid for meals during the WGA strike.
OpenAI
Company ramping up plans for its AI video generator, Sora.
Teamsters Local 399
Union with contracts expiring on July 31, along with other Basic Crafts unions.

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Amplifiers:
Hollywood Reporter
hollywoodreporter.com
Drew Carey Speaks Out About Funding Writers’ Meals Amid Strike: “It Was the Right Thing to Do”
In an appearance at the Writers Guild of America awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday night, the comedian addressed his decision to pay for WGA members meals at Bobs Big Boy and Swingers over the course of the 148-day strike. The last time he paid for writers meals, the total bill came out to about $67,000, but some of you decided, Oh yeah, Im going to get a shake and dessert, as it was way more this time, he joked.
Amplifiers:
Hollywood Reporter
hollywoodreporter.com
Writers Guild Spoofs Studios’ Top Labor Negotiator at Awards Ceremony: “See You on the Picket Line in 2026”
Writers Guild of America spoofed AMPTP president Carol Lombardini at its awards ceremony in Los Angeles after the unions 2023 strike. The union ended its 148-day strike more than half a year ago. The bit earned groans and occasional laughter from the audience.
Amplifiers:
Hollywood Reporter
hollywoodreporter.com
“I’m Scared”: Why It’s a Brutal Time to Be a TV Writer
There are so few shows that are still being greenlit, so few new pilots that are being ordered and fewer spots in writers rooms. As streamers like Netflix and Max right-size their slates, the broadcast pipelines for Peacock, Hulu and Paramount+ are drying up. A decade ago, broadcasters collectively ordered as many as 98 pilots; today, that number can be counted on one hand.
Amplifiers:
Hollywood Reporter
hollywoodreporter.com
2024 Writers Guild Awards Winners List (Updating Live)
The 2024 Writers Guild Awards is taking place in simultaneous ceremonies in New York and Los Angeles. The L.A. ceremony is being hosted by Niecy Nash-Betts, while the N.Y. edition is hosted by Josh Gondelman. In an unusual move this year, the WGA Awards ceremonies are being held more than a month after the 2024 Oscars.
Amplifiers:
Vanity Fair
vanityfair.com
After the Oscars, A Looser, Livelier Writers Guild Awards Emerge
After the Oscars, the Writers Guild Awards Emerge with repeat wins for American Fiction, The Bear, Beef, and Succession. Host Josh Gondelman acknowledged that the awards had been delayed from their usual pre-Oscars slot. The real winners are everyone in this room whose projects were quietly shelved for tax write-offs.
Amplifiers:
Breitbart
breitbart.com
Unemployed Hollywood Writers Resorting to Bartending, Doordash Gigs as Studios Slash Spending
Unemployed Hollywood writers are resorting to gig work as bartenders and Doordash drivers as studios slash spending across the board. Studios are taking an ax to their budgets as the industry is facing near-catastrophic economic headwinds. Studios trying to save themselves by betting the farm on streaming entertainment, but most are still unable to make streaming profitable.