For the first time in over six decades, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) find themselves engaged in a simultaneous strike. The reasons behind this dual strike are numerous and significant, including unfair wages, lack of streaming representation, and issues surrounding the implementation of AI technology. As a result, the entertainment industry is grappling with the consequences of these protests against major studios. The WGA strike has already disrupted numerous productions, resulting in stalled or halted projects such as popular Netflix shows like Stranger Things and Cobra Kai. While productions with completed scripts were initially spared, the recent announcement of a strike by SAG has brought even more significant projects, such as Deadpool 3, to a standstill. Now, the development of new content is subject to strict approval and guidelines. Under these circumstances, one would expect industry leaders to actively seek mutually beneficial solutions. However, it appears that some film executives have chosen to double down on their policies, resorting to degrading and belittling the very individuals seeking fair compensation, namely writers and actors.
An example of the problematic behavior exhibited by these leaders comes from David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. Since taking charge of the newly-merged company, Zaslav has been at the center of controversies surrounding his business decisions and their impact on various projects. Freelance writer Jason Bailey’s article, titled “How Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Became Public Enemy Number One in Hollywood,” shed light on these controversies. However, the article faced significant edits and was ultimately removed from GQ’s website due to objections from Warner Bros. Discovery. While the company claimed inaccuracies, the changes made were centered around unflattering remarks about Zaslav’s character rather than factual corrections. Warner Bros. Discovery’s objections and subsequent removal of the article not only set a troubling precedent for entertainment journalism but also brought even more attention to it. This incident raises concerns about the ability of corporations to silence opinions on prominent figures and its potential impact on free press.
Moving on from the Zaslav controversy, it becomes apparent that some studios are displaying a lack of understanding or concern regarding the consequences of their business decisions on the lives of their collaborators. A Deadline report reveals that Hollywood studios are intentionally waiting for writers to face financial hardship before engaging in talks during the next fall. Anonymous studio executives boast about their strategy of allowing union members to suffer, potentially losing their homes. Such callous disregard for the well-being of their colleagues highlights a larger issue within the ongoing strikes. Instead of actively seeking mutually beneficial solutions, the wealthier and more secure side seems willing to let families face homelessness for the sake of greater profits. This approach is not only despicable and inhumane, but it also undermines the credibility of organizations like the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers when they claim that the strikes will cause financial hardship for countless individuals who rely on the industry.
In a particularly ill-timed statement, The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger referred to the strikes as “disturbing” and “unrealistic,” comparing them to the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This comparison trivializes the immense impact of the pandemic on millions of lives, while attempting to undermine the legitimacy of the strikes. What makes Iger’s comments even more questionable is that he made them the day after renewing his multi-million-dollar contract with Disney. This stark contrast between a massive salary for executives and the reasonable demands of fair payment and protection from AI replacement further reveals the disconnect between the industry’s leaders and the individuals fueling its success.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
