After a three-month strike by screenwriters in Hollywood, both parties to the dispute have recently found themselves at the negotiating table. However, the talks were anything but successful, as US media reports. On the contrary: According to the industry website “Deadline”, the fronts could now be even harder. The reason for this is the authors’ new demands, which are directly related to the duration of the strike: the longer it lasts, the more difficult it becomes for them to generate the income necessary to qualify for the assumption of the costs of their health insurance.
In short: with each additional day of the strike, it becomes a little more difficult for both sides to come together. Despite this dilemma, industry experts currently see it as realistic that the strike could drag on for several more months.
Especially since the allegations by the Writers Guild of America against the film studios and streaming providers are serious: They had deliberately leaked “rumors and lies” about the negotiations to the press in order to put the strikers and their demands in a bad light. In addition, they use “intimidation tactics”. Of course, the other side vehemently denied this. One thing is clear: no constructive discussions can be held on this basis.
The situation remains so deadlocked that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (69) now wants to actively intervene, according to the Los Angeles Times. She is quoted as saying, “It is critical that this matter is resolved immediately to get Los Angeles back on track.” Another month of strikes would be an economic disaster for the dream factory.
The Hollywood Reporter claims to have heard a cautiously optimistic prognosis from the area surrounding the negotiations. A representative of the studio side said: “I guess we’ll be back at the negotiating table next week, but both sides aren’t quite there yet.” The weekend should now be used by both parties to think about acceptable compromises.
The Hollywood dream factory is currently being paralyzed by a double strike by actors and writers – and this is only the second time in the history of the US film industry. Among other things, the screenwriters are demanding greater job security, better remuneration and clear rules regarding the use of artificial intelligence.
