The current Writers Strike has held the entertainment industry at a standstill for almost 5 months now. Though it has picked up media attention within the past few months, this problem has been relevant in Hollywood since as far back as 2007.
With over 11,000 entertainment writers walking off the job on May 2, 2023, many popular movies and TV shows have paused production. This has caused other actors and producers to join in the strike.
Starting July 14, about 160,000 actors represented by the Screen Actors Guild foundation joined the writers in their strike. Since both writers and actors are under contract with the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers), they cannot “quit” or work until an agreement is made.
Many entertainment workers like costume designers, agents, managers, and more are being laid off and left unemployed. This has only increased support in the industry. According to Vulture Magazine, an anonymous executive has stated that the AMPTP is waiting until writers run out of money, which is expected to happen in October, to make negotiations.
Until the AMPTP and WGA (Writers Guild of America) can come to an agreement, almost all production in Hollywood has stopped. Familiar shows like Stranger Things, Abbott Elementary, and HBO’s Hacks have not been able to make any progress this year.
Due to the limited number of projects being worked on, fewer tv shows and movies will be released within the next year. The last time Hollywood experienced a halt, such as the Writers Strike, was during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Without writers, producers, actors, and so many more important players in the game of entertainment, the world will be seeing less filmmaking and production in Hollywood.
