Live From the WGA Picket Line and Why It Matters to You

The Writer’s Guild of America went on strike on May 2, 2023. The strike is more than just writers putting down their pens and picking up their picket signs, to fight for their rights. This strike also symbolizes “the beginning of a bigger conversation about morality and labor practices” throughout corporate America. 

In today’s episode, No Film School’s Charles Haine, GG Hawkins, and Jason Hellerman discuss: 

• Recent interactions with union members out on the picket lines
• Phil Rosenthal’s history with the WGA
• What screenwriting is now compared to what it used to be
• How detrimental the mini-rooms are
• Studios using loopholes to get out of paying rates they already agreed to
• Hollywood CEOs making millions every year while others are getting laid off 
• Feeling encouraged by the solidarity between all the unions in the industry
• Not submitting to the Sundance labs in order to support WGA
• How the WGA strike is impacting more than just the television and film industry

Memorable Quotes

• “I think it’s a little sad that I’ve worked on four shows, but have no production experience.” [2:14]
• “You gotta strike when things are unfair. No matter what your job is.” [4:11]
• “It’s not even a show business problem, it’s a corporate America problem.” [6:22]
• “United we bargain. Divided we beg.” [19:50]
• “Fifty grand is not enough to live in Los Angeles. It just isn’t.” [28:04]

Resources:

Phil Rosenthal’s website

History of American Screenwriters and Their Guild

PreWGA Solidarity on Substack

Hollywood CEO Collect Billions…

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