With new seasons of highly anticipated television shows comes unrivaled excitement; this joy, however, may be temporarily stripped from viewers due to the recent initiation of the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) Strike.
The WGA began its strike on May 2, demanding fair treatment and recognition by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Television production has exploded since the pandemic, and while this is highly beneficial for studios and investors, it has proven to be disastrous for the prosperity of writers, actors and below-the-line crew, which includes everyone besides the producers, screenwriters and directors.
A number of pressing matters have developed for these roles, resulting in calls for increased compensation and residuals, improved staffing arrangements and prevention of artificial intelligence job interference.
Junior Sol Zavala of Wall Township empathizes with the strikers and their wishes.
“Writers are simply asking for livable wages, and I don’t think it should be something troubling for multimillionaires who profit off their writing to provide for them,” Zavala said.
The woes of the entertainment industry were heightened on June 14, when The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) joined the strike. This lack of staff has since created a significant hole within television, and production agendas are already starting to feel the impact.
Junior Skylar Conner-Bennet of Ocean Township comments on the postponement of her favorite media.
“I’m kinda bummed about all my favorite shows and movies being pushed back,” Conner- Bennet said. “‘Stranger Things’ got pushed back twice and the new ‘Avengers’ movies aren’t coming out until I’m in college.”
Unfortunately for television enthusiasts, the most recent update of the strike explained that the WGA rejected AMPTP’s latest counter- proposal for a new contract. The union is adamant about receiving fair treatment, and will not settle for less. The lengthy process has proven to be disappointing for consumers, but nevertheless, many are continuously supportive of the movement.
“I think [the strike] is a positive driving force,” Zavala said. “Hopefully, it will redefine an archaic suppressing system and change the industry.”
