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Writers Guild Of America

All articles tagged with #writers guild of america

business1 month ago•9 min saved

Paramount and California to Hold Mandatory Settlement Talks on Oct. 14

Paramount and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have agreed to a two-day settlement conference on Oct. 14-15 to resolve the antitrust lawsuit challenging the $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The talks, overseen by U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Hixson, will include the Writers Guild of America and require parties to submit confidential settlement statements by Oct. 7. While the merger faces a March trial, the conference aims to bridge the gap between Paramount’s behavioral concessions and the states’ demand for structural divestitures.

via The Hollywood Reporter|

#antitrust #business #paramount

business2 months ago•16 min saved

WGA seeks court order to pause Paramount-WBD merger and align schedules

The Writers Guild of America filed a federal motion for a preliminary injunction to temporarily halt Paramount’s merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing the deal would reduce competition in writing services for anticipated top-grossing films and could cause irreparable harm to writers. The WGA seeks to align its schedule with a separate states’ attorney general suit, as a 14-day temporary restraining order currently pauses the deal, and Paramount faces a $7 million-per-day ticking fee if closing is delayed. If granted, the injunction could extend the timeline for resolution while litigation proceeds.

via Deadline|

#business #merger #paramount

business3 months ago•16 min saved

Paramount’s Warner Merger Faces Legal Storm

A wave of lawsuits led by multistate attorneys general, the Writers Guild of America, Paramount+ subscribers, and investors challenges Paramount’s $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. A federal hearing in Oakland considered a temporary restraining order to block closing, with a ruling due by July 22; if the deal isn’t closed by Sept. 30, Paramount could face about $7 million per day in penalties. Paramount argues the merger would maintain vigorous competition and increase film/TV output, while plaintiffs say it would reduce competition and harm consumers and workers.

via Gizmodo|

#antitrust #business #merger

business3 months ago•19 min saved

WGA Seeks to Block Paramount-Warner Megamerger Over Antitrust Fears

The Writers Guild of America filed a federal lawsuit to block Paramount’s planned $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing it would create the largest single buyer of original film and TV content and reduce competition, leading to suppressed writers’ wages, fewer opportunities, and less programming diversity. The WGA cites market share data showing Paramount and Warner Bros. have dominated film and TV writing jobs and deals; the suit follows a wave of state antitrust actions and parallels the guild’s broader fight against consolidation. Paramount and Warner Bros. have defended the deal, with a spokesman claiming it would expand opportunities, while Warner Bros. Discovery declined to comment further.

via The Hollywood Reporter|

#antitrust #business #merger

entertainment5 months ago•16 min saved

Hollywood mobilizes to block Paramount‑Warner merger as signatures top 4,000

Hollywood figures including Robert De Niro, Sofia Coppola, and Holly Hunter signed an open letter organized by the Writers Guild of America urging regulators to block the Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The campaign has grown to well over 4,000 signatories from the film/TV industry, warning that consolidation could reduce competition, cost audiences more, and shrink opportunities for creators. Protests are planned in New York and Washington as regulators review the deal, which still faces antitrust scrutiny and potential state lawsuits.

via Variety|

#de-niro #entertainment #holly-hunter

entertainment1 year ago•2 min saved

Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar Expelled from WGA Over Strike Violations

Renowned filmmaker Park Chan-wook and co-creator Don McKellar have been expelled from the Writers Guild of America for working on the HBO series 'The Sympathizer' during the 2023 strike, marking a high-profile rule violation amid ongoing industry labor disputes.

via The Hollywood Reporter|

#entertainment #expulsion #park-chan-wook

media-and-entertainment1 year ago•3 min saved

Writers’ Union Calls for Investigation into CBS’s Cancellation of Colbert Show

The Writers Guild of America has called for an investigation into Paramount's decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, citing concerns over potential political influence and recent settlement controversies involving Trump, with some lawmakers and Colbert criticizing the move as possibly politically motivated. Paramount claims the cancellation was purely financial, unrelated to the show's content.

via The Guardian|

#cancellation #colbert-show #investigation

entertainment2 years ago•2 min saved

"Sesame Workshop Writers Approve Strike Authorization Vote as Contract Expiration Nears"

Writers employed by Sesame Workshop, the producer of "Sesame Street," have voted unanimously to support a strike authorization vote from the Writers Guild of America as contract negotiations continue. The union's demands include fair contracts for writers, particularly those in animation who are currently excluded from basic union benefits. Sesame Workshop is in an unusual position as a nonprofit organization facing a strike threat, and the fate of "Sesame Street" as of next year and beyond remains uncertain.

via Variety|

#childrens-programs #entertainment #negotiations

labor-relations2 years ago•1 min saved

"Sesame Workshop Writers Set to Strike on Friday Without Deal"

Writers at Sesame Workshop have unanimously authorized a strike if a deal isn't reached by Friday when their current contract expires. The Writers Guild of America stated that the writers are committed to their work and are seeking annual raises, improvements to residuals, and union coverage for animation and social media segments. Sesame Workshop expressed hope for an agreement and emphasized the writers' importance to their creative team. If a strike occurs, picketing will begin on April 24 outside Sesame Workshop's offices in New York City.

via Deadline|

#contract #labor-relations #negotiations

entertainment2 years ago•2 min saved

"Drew Carey Supports Writers' Meals During Strike"

Comedian Drew Carey spoke at the Writers Guild of America awards ceremony about his decision to pay for striking writers' meals at two Los Angeles restaurants during the 148-day strike, which cost him around $1 million. He emphasized that it was the right thing to do and credited the writers for their contributions to his success, urging others to recognize their importance in the industry.

via Hollywood Reporter|

#drew-carey #entertainment #generosity

entertainment2 years ago•2 min saved

"2024 Writers Guild Awards: 'The Holdovers' and 'American Fiction' Triumph, AI and Execs Roasted"

At the Writers Guild of America awards ceremony, a comedy bit spoofed top labor negotiator Carol Lombardini, representing studios and streamers during the 2023 strike, with raunchy and brutal humor. The bit earned groans and occasional laughter from the audience as the image of "Lombardini" made controversial comments about the WGA and its members. The spoof referred to the next potential strike in 2026, and Lombardini, president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, has been the top negotiator for Hollywood studios since 2009. The 2023 strike sought to regulate AI in scriptwriting and improve compensation for members in the streaming age.

via Hollywood Reporter|

#carol-lombardini #comedy-bit #entertainment

entertainment2 years ago•11 min saved

"Exciting Night at WGA Awards 2024: Winners, Predictions, and Industry Changes"

The Writers Guild of America held its annual WGA Awards, honoring the best in television and film for 2023. The event took place at the Hollywood Palladium and New York’s Edison Ballroom, with Niecy Nash-Betts and Josh Gondelman hosting the West Coast and East Coast ceremonies, respectively. Notable winners included "American Fiction" for Adapted Screenplay, "The Last of Us" for New Series, and "Beef" for Limited Series. The event also featured presenters such as Bill Burr and Tony Hale, and honored individuals including David A. Goodman, Chris Keyser, Walter Hill, Linda Bloodworth Thomason, and Cord Jefferson.

via Variety|

#entertainment #film #television

entertainment2 years ago•3 min saved

"2024 Writers Guild Awards: Honoring Industry Leaders Amid Contract Changes and Strike Talk"

The Writers Guild of America is set to celebrate its upcoming Writers Guild Awards following a new contract, with Emmy-winning actress and producer Niecy Nash-Betts hosting the event. The awards show will feature categories spanning film, television, news media, and radio/audio, and will take place at the Hollywood Palladium. The event aims to create an irreverent, hip, and loose-limbed tone, with a focus on enforcing gains made in the negotiated settlement and closely monitoring ongoing negotiations between other industry unions and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

via Variety|

#entertainment #hollywood #labor-negotiations

entertainment-awards2 years ago•10 min saved

"WGA Nominations 2024: What They Mean for the Emmys"

The nominees for the 2024 Writers Guild of America Awards have been announced, featuring a diverse range of screenplays, television series, and new media content. Notable nominations include "Barbie," "The Holdovers," "May December," "Past Lives," "American Fiction," "Killers of the Flower Moon," and "Oppenheimer" for original screenplay, as well as "The Crown," "The Last of Us," and "Succession" for drama series. The awards, taking place in April, are expected to influence final Oscar voting and Emmy campaigns.

via IndieWire|

#2024-wga-awards #entertainment-awards #nominations

entertainment2 years ago•2 min saved

"David Zaslav Acknowledges Striking Writers' Validity on Nearly All Fronts"

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav acknowledges that striking writers were right in their demands for changes in compensation in Hollywood. Zaslav expressed no regrets about the deal struck between studios and the Writers Guild of America, which included increased pay and protections for writers. However, Zaslav's comment that writers might now be overpaid is seen as ironic given his own hefty compensation. The strikes ultimately saved Warner Bros. Discovery money, but the company has been slow to greenlight new projects amid aggressive cost-cutting. The company recently faced controversy over shelving and then un-shelving a movie, leading to calls for an investigation into its practices.

via Hollywood Reporter|

#compensation #david-zaslav #entertainment