Striking writers and studios will meet this week to discuss restarting negotiations
Writer Julie Benson holds a picket sign with an image of the late actor and comic Paul Reubens, dressed as his character Pee-wee Herman, outside Universal Studios on Tuesday, Aug. 1, in Universal City, Calif. The actors strike comes more than two months after screenwriters began striking in their bid to get better pay and working conditions. Credit: AP / Rick Taber
Union leaders told striking Hollywood writers Tuesday night that they plan to meet with representatives for studios to discuss restarting negotiations after the first official communication between the two sides since the strike began three months ago.
The Writers Guild of America sent an email to members saying that the head of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents major studios, streaming services and production companies in negotiations, requested a meeting on Friday to discuss the resumption of contract talks.
“We’ll be back in communication with you sometime after the meeting with further information,” the email read. “As we’ve said before, be wary of rumors. Whenever there is important news to share, you will hear it directly from us.”
It was not immediately known whether a similar overture was made to union leaders for Hollywood actors, who have been on strike since July 14.
Asked about the prospect of talks with either guild, a spokesperson for the AMPTP in an email said only that “We remain committed to finding a path to mutually beneficial deals with both Unions.”
An email to a representative from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which represents striking film and television actors, was not immediately returned.
Talks between screenwriters and their employers collapsed on May 1, and the first of the two strikes that have frozen production in Hollywood began a day later. Issues behind the strike include pay rates amid inflation, the use of smaller writing staffs for shorter seasons of television shows, and control over artificial intelligence in the screenwriting process.
Adam Shapiro poses on a picket line outside Netflix studios on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Los Angeles. The actors strike comes more than two months after screenwriters began striking in their bid to get better pay and working conditions. Credit: AP/Richard Shotwell
HOLLYWOOD STARS' BIG DONATIONS Some of the Hollywood’s highest paid actors, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman and Dwayne Johnson, have donated millions of dollars to help fellow SAG-AFTRA members struggling from the work stoppage, reports the Los Angeles Times.
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation announced Wednesday that its Emergency Assistance Program raised more than $15 million in the last three weeks. The program provides grants to help performers pay expenses like rent, groceries and medical bills.
Donations of more than $1 million came from several high profile actors and their spouses, including George and Amal Clooney, Luciana and Matt Damon, DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness, Johnson, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Julia Roberts, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Meryl Streep and Oprah Winfrey.
