Hollywood Writers Strike: Abbott Elementary's Brittani Nichols Decries Streaming Era's "Gig Economy"
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 พ.ค. 2023
- Thousands of screenwriters behind Hollywood movies and TV shows are on strike as of midnight on Tuesday. The Writers Guild of America says its members are struggling to make a living, as rates have fallen and writers have less job security - even as the streaming era has led to an explosion in TV and film production. The strike is set to bring most TV production to a halt immediately, with some films also likely to be delayed if the impasse continues. The WGA previously went on strike in 2007-’08, which lasted 100 days and had a significant impact on the entertainment industry. “We are demanding that this industry be one that can sustain a career,” says Brittani Nichols, captain for Writers Guild of America West and a writer on Abbott Elementary. “The studios have devalued our contributions. They have shifted the industry to prioritize streaming while not … making sure that our pay reflects those changes.”
Transcript: www.democracynow.org/2023/5/2...
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I'm so tired of this "gig economy" exploitation BS. Every company is trying to do it because they can scam their employees out of benefits and pay they're owed.
@@daniel_trang hit dogs always holler
@@daniel_trang you're a sociopath, without any capability for empathy
@@daniel_trang, maybe learn to run a business that doesn't rely on the exploitation of its employees, to function. Nobody owes you their labor, if you can't afford the cost, then you don't deserve to run a business.
@Eric Carabetta I don't think it's OK for YOU to decide who runs a business just like its not OK for me to decide that either
Writers are completely USELESS to a company now
Editors n programmers are way more useful n more versatile
Livestreams n content creators don't EVEN NEED writers to produce high quality content
I feel bad for these people to an extent but the industry is unfortunately dead for good
@@nautgamingnautgaming9949, lol, you have a lot to learn.
Well spoken. As a consumer of much of this media, we fully support the writers.
You just know all the studio dirtbags have been noodling around with ChatGPT in the evenings, then going to morning meetings and saying, "Why do we need a writer?!" 🤬
I would never watch a show written by a soulless algorithm. Any art produced without humanity is not art.
It's a pale imitation
This is categorically untrue.
Ya AIG isn't up to the task at this point. It can't really be creative yet. Imagination is well beyond the technology at this point. It can imitate and copy tired old story lines. What I do think can happen is that it can take other cultures outside of the mainstream west story formulation and adapt those formulas but there will be a disconnect with western values and myths. The capital accumulation class propaganda machine will object though and they run the system. For this reason it won't happen . If the Unions don't give in they win. The people who own the studios are between a rock and a hard place.
@Venice Lockjaw the studios are using chatgpt and even if say online wouldn't end your profession
The editor will at the newspaper or entertainment
@@nautgamingnautgaming9949 every movie or show is just a take on past work. Boring won't cut it. AI can't create anything outside the box it came from. The thing is most people are so helplessly stupid they won't know the difference and the capital accumulation class wants to keep it that way....hence the education system that is more indoctrination than education. 21% of adults in the US are illiterate in 2022. 54% of adults have a literacy below sixth-grade level but they sure know how to keep " cultural purity" intact. So entertainment will be all about one culture or the other and everyone will want it that way. Now religion is entertainment, News is entertainment and it's all played like a blood sport. The bloodier, more violent and vulgar the better the ratings. AI can handle that cause that's most of what's in the box already.
How many times have we as consumers said "this actor is great but there's only so much they can do because the script is so bad". Writers are the backbone of a great show / movie.
I think that with over 90% of what I see vomited up on the screen, the average calibre of actors is far beyond the writing usually and now we know why.
As someone who works in the industry, my fingers are crossed for some sort of resolution. Things have been on the downswing since pre-COVID. And then during COVID (when streaming increased), it only got worse.
I hope you're right, but the chasm between what the writers need and the offer is very wide.
@@tschorsch Right and that scares the hell out me. I've gotten emails from my union about what's happening, but the details don't compare to this interview.
@xDiamanto I honestly think your industry is on its last year
Streaming and content creators don't EVEN NEED writers to function
Not to mention the only useful writers can code n are technically editors so even your own kind is ending the writer if the online business doesn't end your profession unfortunately
I think you would be best off editing and upping your online n computer skills n learning how to run the ai programs
@xDiamanto even if the online had nothing to do with the death of writing
Editors would have wiped out the profession since they can write n do 2 jobs for the price of 1 employee at the newspaper or entertainment industry
@@nautgamingnautgaming9949 That may be the case, any industry has it's ebbs and flows. This boils down to worker's rights and being able to at least make a rent payment on time/feed yourself. It'll be a few months of protesting before some sort of conclusion is reached. It's def been a year of accountability and forging out on your own.
No royalties means no incentive for quality writing. The best written shows are the ones that people will watch again and recommend and become inter generational. I agree there’s so much garbage on streaming services that I often don’t make it past the first ten minutes. But if you all want quality then writers need a bigger share of the money their shows streaming earns for the producers and streaming services. Quality writing comes from talented people who can trust that they can pay the bills and invest in their careers.
It seems that that is the end game, especially when one takes a look at Chat GPT and generative AI.
Given how bad 99% of shows are now I'd say generative Ai is probably going to be an improvement and lets face it, far more likely than actually paying writers what they deserve.
there hasn´t been "quality writing" for years, only woke crap, that nobody watches anymore
This explains a lot of things, if you treat writing like it's worthless and anyone can do it, you end up with awful scripts. The people writing the majority of scripts don't know the basics about writing, character development, world building nor do they understand the importance of speaking properly or at least have dialog that fits with the time period or fantasy setting of a movie or TV show.
These struggles are the same in all industries and people need to get activated!
Absolutely and it’s only getting worse. Told to slave away for pennies and be glad we have employment
They need to adapt.
Can we just talk about how people shouldn't even be at the met gala... It's full of art that doesn't belong there
That's an odd comment?
It's sad that greed is killing good show and talented writers have to fight to get a decent paycheck.
Solidarity with the writers!
Not saying the companies that employ the writers aren’t being Greedy and taking advantage of them, but saying things like “we won’t be able to live” is silly. You know that baseline she was talking about is still probably closer to the six figure range than actual minimum wage. There are People who actually somehow survive on minimum wage in this country. Play the greedy slavers won’t pay me my fair share card all you want I don’t think any rational person could disagree, but...playing the I’m so poor I can’t live card is a slap in the face to actual impoverished people.
Union strong!!! 💪 the studios are making billions, make them come correct!!!!!!
As a performer myself, I saw the merging of unions to lower our wages; writers as well deserve their fair share. Nobody seems to stand for artists as other professions and that needs to stop.
yes i support the WGA.
@@SamSitar 👍
These streaming services collect a monthly payment equal to almost half a cable bill from literally hundreds of MILLIONS of American households and they act like they aren't making a lot because profits don't skyrocket at the rate they predicted their greed is just ridiculous!!
That 2007 strike is how we got reality T.V.
It's weird to me that people are acting like ChatGPT or other AI can come close to actual creativity, emotion and human connection in writing. People who are actually creative, can see right through the shoddy "art" that AI "creates"
🙄🙄🙄
The sad truth is, their entire industry is feeding fast food entertainment to hogs at a trough - they will consume whatever is there
Agreed 💯.
the thing is, sometimes AI can get human work so realistically that we couldn't really tell the difference whether a written script is AI or human made. and it's pretty scary.
They will, give them some time to fully develop. We all will be out of job one by one. I'm an Engineer, and I can see the possible rise of Ai engineer and that scares me.
People who are actually creative, can see right through the shoddy "art" that AI "creates"
First off, creatives don't pay for art, audiences do. So if they don't notice the difference, they will pay for AI content instead of human content. Is AI art? It's an interesting philosophical question, but what concerns us artists is what content is bought. If AI content is bought at the expense of human content, we'll lose out on professional opportunities to practice and do creativity emotion and human connection because like any profession, we need to make money. I appreciate the sentiment that human content is better than ai content but dismissing the dangers of AI won't solve this issue.
Hopefully, this will bring better shows and material. Pop culture in the U.S. is mundane.
Get a life?
Meanwhile, the executives who do very little make an obscene amount for very little contribution. As with all other industries, the minions of workers who make the industry viable are barely scraping by in comparison to a handful of executives and stars. Brittany is a top writer on one of the hottest shows ever; yet she's clearly not living high on the hog, so-to-speak. She and her colleagues in the union deserve to make a dignified living.
There should be an industry standard (or a legal cap) on the compensation between the lowest and highest paid professionals in an industry or company. Spread the wealth instead of concentrating it.
make media house managers share with workers.
Well, welcome to the world where you don't really matter.
Maybe Netflix can ask TH-cam how to pay content creators
Kudos to all you strikers. Get corporate America groveling.❤
Imagine A.I. writing the next season of Black Mirror 😳
The episode is about how Hollywood writers go on strike for low wages, but they make on average $10k more than teachers.
Now thats dystopian.
I agree with that last part. People don’t realize even if Hollywood is as fake as they come, where would you get entertainment to get away from your everyday stresses. Everyone needs en escape or destress no matter where it’s consumed.
In my woodshop, from a book, talking with friends, playing some sports, its called hobbies. Before satans box was installed in American homes it was a much better place
@soon I have considered all that. I have tried it. But I like to give my body a break and find others ways of enjoying leisure time. Something most Americans don’t have. Not everyone is the same.
@@tinka1015 Satans box? Really!
@soon here’s my point but take it as a question if you want, why does it matter enough for you to say how folks should spend their leisure time?
@soon sounds like you just described burn out to me.
Solidarity!! It’s inspiring to see this courageous action! Love and support from AZ ❤
Thanks for covering the screen writers guild strike. This exposes the dark underbelly of Hollywood corporates.
Hollywood makes to much money to be under paying the writers.
All of US should be demanding a living wage!
When the supply of talent outstrips the demand for it, unions are needed. I was a precision machinist. The UAW didn't want any part of us so the lion share of the work was contracted with mom and pop businesses, and the standard work week was fifty hours.Most of the mom and pop shops are now in China!!!
Great reporting, as usual!
I like that she was not goaded into race reductionism from Democracy Now and instead focused on class solidarity across the industry.
There are more great books than you can read in a lifetime.
wall street and the rise of hitler
Thank you Amy for being on the side of the American worker. The war in peace
I stand with the writers no writers no show period 😠
Not saying the companies that employ the writers aren’t being Greedy and taking advantage of them, but saying things like “we won’t be able to live” is silly. You know that baseline she was talking about is still probably closer to the six figure range when all is said and done than actual minimum wage. There are People who actually somehow survive on minimum wage in this country. Play the greedy slavers won’t pay me my fair share card all you want I don’t think any rational person could disagree, but...playing the I’m so poor I can’t live card is a slap in the face to actual impoverished people.
Dave Chappelle warned people, that this thing is a monster, damn I understand 💔
You don't need a large staff for every show.
The best way to get back at the one percent is to show them you don't need money!
Then people need to stop paying these streaming services and really support the writers
People will cross the picket line.
Judging how crappy the movies and tv shows have been, the woke writers have been on strike for years!!!
Such an awesome interview Brittani, well said and great points made.
✊🏼WGA STRONG
Haven't watched tv for 2 years. Figure it out, Hollyweird.
People should cancel their subscriptions, at least this month, in solidarity. Hit these companies in the money
Is anyone else just immensely proud of Quinta? lol
BEST NEWS OF THE WEEK! NOW ALL THE PUPPET TALK SHOW HOSTS CAN SUFFER FOR A WHILE💯👍.
Artificial intelligence with one writer fixing and perfecting it. THAT IS THE FUTURE
If only the world was fair.
Honestly Hollywood actos are almost nothing without the writing that makes them shine.
We have had streaming for how long? Why is the WGA so slow to catch up from getting cheated out? It took how long for DVD and Blu Ray just before they became obsolete.
Contract terms.
AI shows will be as hollow as a McDonnel's Cheese burger!!!
The last major WGA strike incited reality tv; What’s next,now?
damn I had o idea that was the catalyst for the reality tv boom in the 2000s
They don’t have to negotiate. Grow up.
Maybe its time to cancel a few streaming subscriptions
TV is going away soon. It will just be streaming. I don’t have a TV. I’m fine with that.
Solidarity!!
Ha, my wife said “I like top chef and 1st 48” 😂
We need more people who create.
It helps nations to thrive.
I hope these shows don't start using AIChat.
Let’s stand in solidarity with WGA!
WTG Jimmy!
Wild how writers on a show about overworked and underpaid teachers are overworked and underpaid themselves! We, as viewers, should boycott.
I DEMAND MY FAIR SHARE!
I rarely watch tv anyway & there are so many movies I haven't seen. This strike can go on forever as far as I'm concerned.
Look into visual effects companies also and how they are hired.
Ms. Nichols, Americans stand with you. Stay strong. Great show, Abbott Elementary.
Nope, it's A.rtifical I.ntelligence Time!!!
This issue will perpetuate until we move to a post scarcity economy.
11,000 is pathetic. There is no way they need that many writers. Prove me wrong. I’ve been in the gig economy for 20 years and this is bullshit. Teamsters can break too
Last thing we need is to hear more from Jimmy Fallen's writers or more late night dribble in general. Everything has "VALUE" and if you as a writer are able to create a product that is clearly more valueable than that of the person next to you, people will pay you more. Keep in mind though, you're going to have to be better and faster than the person using AI as well.
Hollywood doesn't need 20,000 writers. In the real world, not everybody can be whatever they want to be... even if they REALLY want it. When you get hungry, you'll move back home. Pedo-fornia is too expensive for hobby gig money. Have you considered retail sales?
I would be interested to know, what these people's work schedules like and how much they make a year.
Not enough if they are having to strike. And why don't you worry about the executives and shareholders raking in record profits and what their work schedules are like?
7:16
"Writers are the backbone of this industry"
That's some major B.S.
The studios that put up hundreds of millions of dollars into a movie are the backbone.
The only purpose of ANY union should be to insure safety concerns, not wages.
There is... and will in the future be more and more "content" and the writers of successful content will make more and more money.
They should not be rewarded for the garbage they've been writing
I saw that pic with Colbert and he had 20 writers on his staff. And on the flip side, James Corden basically Had to retire because his show was Losing so much money. So how much does a Late Night writer make and How much more do they want?
then fallon should pay them out of his pocket
They write so much crap is no wonder they get paid crap.
Is there a possibility of making a deal with the writers to leave and never come back?
totally serious btw
I've would of thought writers would have more power, being their the writers.
I support the writers totally and Hollywood's very top producers, directors and actors are way overpaid.
slash the salaries of those executives and give more to writers.
I have two scripts ..the decor can be filled in by anyone artists or admin. Thats how it used to be before you guys in the movies tried to save a few bucks and keep your own jobs. Tell us where to send our better scripts on set next time!! Movies will get better again.
People who do the littles work always want more money…this strike is b.s while real hard workers are silent.
Workers and oppressed peoples of the world unite!
So interesting.
How about the actors and producers take a cut?? What a concept
Is the strike being funded by those who can't take a joke?
The computer took the typewriter to the grave seems like streaming will do the same for writers
Outsourcing of writers are upcoming
It won't work. They need people who understand the culture and language of what they're writing. If it could have been done, the industry would have already tried it.
@@tschorsch woke is not a culture. Its losing steam
We should join the strikers by cancelling our subscriptions .
Awesome breakdown Brittani. I thought it was just the music industry, then I realized it’s in my field of nursing, healthcare in general. over work is but no pay increase. This rabbit hole runs deep. Us at the bottom make the corporations prosper. 🧐🤔I guess we are all on the CORPORATION PLANTATION 🤷🏾♀️
They're using ' tape ' ?
I'm surprised they are not saying, will get writer overseas. Pay the writers without them these companies, would not be sh**!
WGA writers are spoiled. First time writers make $4,600 per week and then story editors ( the next small bump up)at $7500 week. Spoiled and entitled
Remember, if they are successful, the only ones benifitting are guild members. Non-guild writers are still screwed.
AI has been writing for a while, now. There are basically 3 stories around. The problem is that there is no talent to add credible details to give the appearance of abundant creativity.
No sympathy. They're the reason Americans think fascist and don't use the word "precarity"- US TV don't use that word! And no one wants to give fairness to anyone. Thanx to the shows. Hopes and prayers. Alone.
Plan on Netflix and other streaming services to go up next. Everybody wants money. Money makes humans ugly.
Since, Amy is the new "Ellen", I'll do as the Romans. Did you know that The Moth was already infiltrated by pharma "story tellers".
With the poor quality in scripts lately. Let them go.
Just the usual culture of union greed, less work and more $$$. Good riddance to them and lets bring in some new writers with new ideas.
But how can they bring in new writers if no one can make a decent living doing the work?
As long as we have movies like ant man 3, I can't support writers.
I work in an hospital's record department doing data entry.
Eventually ill be replaced by an AI software or fired before then.
These writers will be outta work because of AI software also.
Its just a matter of time.
It's a peculiar Variety issue, here at DN today.
SAG Threw us Writers under the bus and didnt care weeks ago...NOW here they come regarding their cause! We have been out picketing for weeks and now we hear Frans Whinny voice saying she cant believe it! She has all you people snowed..Taking pics with Kim K is more important obviously...