Hollywood screenwriters strike again for first time in 15 years

The 100-day strike of Hollywood screenwriters in 2007-08 is still fresh in many people's memories, and it had a huge impact on the Hollywood film and television industry. And the latest, Hollywood screenwriters have started another strike.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced that after six weeks of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the interests of film and television studios, they were unable to reach an agreement on differences and sign a new agreement - proposed by WAG The deal seeks $429 million a year for the writers, compared with $86 million a year for the AMPTP's proposal. The WGA voted unanimously to strike, and it will be the first strike in 15 years, which will come into effect at 0:01 local time on May 2.

AMPTP includes Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount, Sony and other major film and television companies and platforms. WGA stated in a statement that their original intention of the negotiations was to obtain a fair agreement, but the response given by the film and television producers represented by AMPTP was not enough to satisfy the survival crisis faced by screenwriters.

WGA gave examples of specific differences between the two parties. For example, the WGA proposed to restrict the use of artificial intelligence in the projects covered by the basic agreement (MBA) reached by both parties. AI such as ChatGPT cannot write or rewrite "literary materials" and cannot be regarded as "original materials". The materials involved in MBA cannot be used for training. AI, etc. AMPTP vetoed this, and proposed "annual meeting to discuss matters concerning scientific and technological progress". And WGA stated that film and television companies and streaming media platforms are unwilling to agree to make any guarantees for the number of weeks of employment of TV screenwriters.

AMPTP also issued a statement earlier, saying that the negotiations have ended without reaching an agreement, and that it is still willing to negotiate with the WGA on this matter.