All articles tagged with #writers
Comedy writer Mike Schur argues megamergers like Paramount-Warner Bros shrink competition, reduce the number of buyers for content, and erode writers’ leverage, risking thousands of jobs and a narrower creative landscape; he supports the WGA’s lawsuit to block the deal and contends that consolidation mirrors Disney-Fox, underscoring the need for antitrust action to protect workers and viewers.
Google’s 2022 Wordcraft Writers Workshop recruited 13 professional authors to test a LaMDA-based writing tool under NDA; the eight-week project produced stories and a white paper, but is now fueling backlash as critics argue it helped normalize AI-assisted writing and raised concerns over training AI on copyrighted material. Reactions from participants range from regret to defense, with some saying they were naive or misled, while others call for accountability. The controversy reflects broader debates about copyright and AI in the arts that have intensified since 2023.
The Writers Guild of America West and East filed a federal antitrust lawsuit to block Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing the deal would violate antitrust law and harm writers by reducing competition in three markets—top-grossing films, episodic television/streaming series, and overall deals—thereby lowering pay and limiting opportunities; 12 Democratic state attorneys general filed a separate antitrust suit the day before, while Paramount defended the merger as expanding opportunities for writers and preserving competition.
House star Hugh Laurie defended the show's Season 1 formula in a Twitter reply to a critic, joking about the familiar setup and praising the writers; he later apologized, saying he was slightly drunk and upset and that there were no hard feelings.
Lisa Kudrow discusses the toxic, mostly-male writing culture on Friends, recalling late-night sessions where writers allegedly discussed sexual fantasies about co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox; she notes the harsh environment and references Amaani Lyle’s 1999 sexual-harassment suit to contextualize the behavior.
Lisa Kudrow told The Times of London that the Friends writing staff, which was mostly male, were brutal and stayed up late discussing sexual fantasies about her female costars, and she noted Amaani Lyle’s earlier suit against Warner Bros as part of the backdrop to those behind-the-scenes dynamics.
In The Comeback Season 3, Episode 6, Valerie Cherish’s world spirals as an AI‑driven ad campaign and behind‑the‑scenes tensions ignite cast backlash, NDA battles, and on‑set upheaval. The episode centers on Val’s push to embrace AI and industry fallout, including security removing Jane and the leak of AI‑scripted content, fueling a public writers’ backlash. While the season‑long arc strains Val’s relationships (especially with Billy) and leaves her increasingly isolated, Kudrow’s performance remains a beacon, and Mark makes a fragile attempt to offer support at the end.
The Hollywood Reporter argues AI’s moment in Hollywood is uncertain: OpenAI’s pullout and the Sora collapse underscore a debate over whether AI will replace or augment human labor. Using The Comeback and Paradise as case studies, the piece shows industry-wide fights over governance, costs, and what artistry means, while real-world impact remains limited and unresolved.
CAA settled with writer John Musero over claims the agency used internal “underperformer” lists to derail his career, agreeing to roughly $500,000 after he sought $25 million. The case, which began in 2019 and would have tested fiduciary duties and internal listing practices, was resolved ahead of opening statements with terms to be finalized within 45 days, and CAA called the suit meritless while potential witnesses like Aaron Sorkin were anticipated.
Jade Cargill claims Rhea Ripley went to WWE writers with complaints about a storyline, signaling backstage drama and tension surrounding their ongoing interactions.
Shogun Season 2 announces new and returning cast members, including Asami Mizukawa and Masataka Kubota, with returning directors Hiromi Kamata and Takeshi Fukunaga, and new episodes to continue the saga set ten years after Season 1, based on James Clavell's novel.
Silicon Valley showrunner John Altschuler criticizes Europe's lack of respect for showrunners and writers, contrasting it with Hollywood's recognition of their crucial role, while acknowledging Europe's cultural influence and strengths in art and culture. He advocates for greater appreciation of writers and showrunners in Europe to succeed in the global marketplace.
Netflix has enlisted the writers behind Game of Thrones and True Blood to adapt Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Problem into a series, aiming to make the complex sci-fi narrative appealing to global audiences. The writers emphasize the importance of staying true to the book's character-focused storytelling while diversifying the ensemble of characters and internationalizing the story. The adaptation, set to premiere on March 21, seeks to capture the spirit of the novels while creating an exciting and compelling show that will draw viewers to the source material.
The Hollywood strikes of 2023 had a profound impact on the entertainment industry, causing lost wages and emotional exhaustion for writers and actors. Despite the challenges, some individuals experienced moments of hope and success. Actor David Krumholtz, who had been out of work for 16 months, was given a significant role in a Christopher Nolan film. Writer Andra Whipple became a strike captain and faced dangerous situations while picketing. Writer Samy Burch had one movie, "May December," receive Oscar buzz, while another film, "Coyote Vs. Acme," was shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery. The strikes garnered public support, and pressure from the creative class led to the studio reconsidering the fate of "Coyote Vs. Acme." The year also saw a shift in audience preferences, with unique films like "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" outperforming franchise movies.
The 2023 Black List, a selection of the most-liked screenplays by film executives, has been announced, with Travis Braun's "Bad Boy" taking the top spot. The list features 76 feature screenplays by 80 writers, including Justin Piasecki's "Stakehorse" in second place. The Black List aims to highlight the value of writers in the industry and has a track record of success, with many of its selected scripts being produced into successful films.