AN OVERVIEW
The ongoing deadlock between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) shows no signs of resolution, as talks have stagnated and the strike initiated on May 2 continues. A recent rendezvous between the parties involved did not lead to a compromise. The AMPTP announced their need to communicate with their affiliated studios before proceeding further.
The AMPTP indicated a readiness to enhance their proposal on certain TV minimums specific to writers and to consider AI, but they fell short of addressing other vital concerns such as maintaining the writers’ room and residuals based on success. The WGA negotiation team stays dedicated to attaining an equitable agreement for all writers and intends to persist in the negotiation process.
As the impasse between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers persists, the first round of discussions since the deadlock led to a strike on May 2 was held on Friday. It included representatives from major studios and streaming services and the WGA, but unfortunately, the conversation did not result in a consensus on the major issues, according to the WGA negotiation committee.
Friday’s afternoon meeting saw representatives from both sides, including AMPTP president Carol Lombardini, AMPTP staffers, WGA West assistant executive director and main negotiator Ellen Stutzman, and general counsel Tony Segall. They gathered to discuss the potential of resuming the negotiation process. The union informed its members about the meeting, where the conversation encompassed potential negotiation protocols and an overview of the issues to be discussed when negotiations restart. Nevertheless, an agreement is yet to be reached on these subjects as the AMPTP expressed a need to consult with their member studios before proceeding.
According to the WGA negotiation committee’s feedback, Lombardini stated in the meeting that the language used in the Directors Guild of America’s deal that overlapped with writers’ concerns would be insisted upon in WGA negotiations by the studios and streaming services.
“She expressed that they were ready to improve their offer on some TV minimums specific to writers and were open to discussing AI, but they were unwilling to deliberate on the preservation of the writers’ room or success-based residuals. She didn’t show any willingness to tackle screenwriter issues, Appendix A issues, and many other remaining proposals from our list.”
The WGA negotiation committee concluded their statement by stating: “Your committee is ready to engage with the companies and restart negotiations in good faith to achieve a fair deal for all writers, even though the AMPTP’s tactics persist. Be assured, this committee will not leave anyone behind or merely settle for a marginal deal to end this strike.”
Next Moves
In a brief and direct response, the AMPTP said that Friday’s meeting was a gauge to check the WGA’s willingness to negotiate. “This strike has impacted thousands of people in this industry, and we take that very seriously. Our only aim is to get people back to work.”
The WGA is on the 95th day of its ongoing strike against AMPTP member companies. This action, coupled with the concurrent action taken by the Screen Actors Guild members—SAG-AFTRA—has brought Hollywood productions to a standstill, causing major projects to be postponed and delayed for months. The Hollywood Reporter has stated that the AMPTP is prioritizing talks with the WGA ahead of SAG-AFTRA, as filming has been halted and the studios and streamers require more finished scripts for actors to restart shooting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Stalemate
What is the current situation between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)?
The current situation is a stalemate, with negotiations hitting a deadlock and a strike beginning on May 2. The recent meeting between representatives from both sides did not result in any agreement, as the AMPTP stated they needed to consult with their member studios before moving forward.
What issues are the two sides unable to agree upon?
The AMPTP is willing to increase their offer on some writer-specific TV minimums and discuss AI. However, they are not willing to address other key issues, such as the preservation of the writers’ room and success-based residuals. The WGA negotiating committee remains committed to achieving a fair deal for all writers.
How did the recent meeting between WGA and AMPTP representatives go?
The meeting did not lead to any agreement on the pertinent issues. The AMPTP expressed the need to consult with their member studios before proceeding further, prolonging the stalemate.
What is the current status of the strike?
The strike initiated on May 2 by the Writers Guild of America is still ongoing. As of now, there is no end in sight, and the AMPTP’s approach to resolving the situation remains unclear.
How is the strike affecting Hollywood productions?
The strike, combined with parallel action taken by SAG-AFTRA, has brought Hollywood productions to a halt. Major projects are being pushed back and delayed by months due to the lack of progress in negotiations.
Is there any hope for future negotiations?
While the AMPTP has shown willingness to discuss certain issues, other critical matters remain unresolved. The WGA negotiating committee is determined to continue engaging in negotiations in good faith to reach a fair deal for all writers. However, the overall situation remains uncertain, and the strike continues to impact the industry.
More about Stalemate
- The Hollywood Reporter
- Writers Guild of America (WGA)
- Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)
- Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA)
