US Producers Prepare For Next Month’s Writers Strike

US television networks and film studios are frantically trying to prepare for a possible strike by scriptwriters next month. The union representing the writing staff have reported that people are being asked to do extra work just in case the walk-out goes ahead.

The Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) and studios, represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, are currently in the negotiation stage.

Both sides have accused the other of inflexibility and if a deal isn’t reached, a strike could begin on November 1st. The last strike, back in 1988, lasted 22 weeks - costing the industry an estimated $500 million!

Patric Verrone from the WGA has said,

“What I’m hearing from our screenwriters and showrunners is that they’re being asked to schedule additional table reads, prepare additional scripts and squeeze in more shows, which may be physically impossible in that amount of time.”

A studio Vice president also commented,

“We are trying to get as much stuff as possible shoved through. It’s as hot as I’ve ever seen it. And whether or not they strike on November 1, we have to act as if they will.”

Source

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