Hollywood Strike and The Future of Media Productions

By: Atina Yang

Edited by: Anna Carmelita

The Late Late Show with James Corden officially came to an end in late April. His Carpool Karaokes series was my elementary nostalgic factor. I was immediately disheartened hearing this news, and even more disheartened when I noticed it was the result of the worker's strike. This means there are potentially more of my favorite talk shows that would go on hiatus, which is true, for instance, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert. 


The recent Hollywood writer strike in 2023 has seen writers protesting outside major production companies such as Netflix, Warner Bros, Universal Studios, and Amazon. The strike has had a significant impact on late-night talk shows like the Jimmy Fallon Show and the Stephen Colbert Show. This is not the first time the entertainment industry has witnessed such strikes. Historical instances of writer strikes occurred in 1960, 1981, 1988, and 2007-2008, highlighting the recurring nature of this issue. 

The primary reason behind the strike is the demand for higher compensation. According to a WGA report, there has been a decline of around 20 percent in writers' pay, which has been exacerbated by the rise of streaming services. The advent of these platforms has made it increasingly difficult for writers to secure consistent employment due to the nature of binge-watching and show renewals.

In the traditional television era, a show's production cycle would typically span six to nine months, whereas, in the streaming era, it has been reduced to about one month. This shift has led to the hiring of fewer writers and lower wages in mini rooms, impacting the livelihoods of those in the industry.

Past writer strikes have resulted in the halting of numerous television productions. The most recent major strike occurred in 2007 and lasted for a year. This time around, the strike marks the first in 15 years and has coincided with the rise of mini rooms, which are small groups of writers working on different aspects of a show. Late-night talk shows hosted by Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and James Corden have gone on hiatus, leaving audiences without their regular dose of entertainment.

During a writer strike, members of the Writer's Guild of America (WGA) cease working until they reach an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The impact of the strike extends beyond the writers themselves, as scripts play a crucial role in determining the rest of the production team. Caterers, set designers, directors, actors, and actresses all rely on the availability of scripts to carry out their work.

As a result, the strike not only affects the writers but also causes delays and disruption throughout the industry.

Negotiations are currently underway to reach an agreement, particularly regarding minimum wage requirements for writers. The outcome of these negotiations will determine the future of media production and the livelihoods of those involved in the entertainment industry. As viewers, we can only hope for a fair resolution that addresses the concerns of the writers while ensuring the smooth operation of the industry as a whole.

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