Latest news with #WritersGuild
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
TV and Film Writing Jobs Grew More Scarce, Even If Earnings Were Up Slightly in 2024
It came as no surprise to anyone when the Writers Guild of America West's 2023 annual financial report showed that television and film writers' earnings and employment had declined the same year that union members waged a 148-day strike against studios and streamers. But one year later, in a work stoppage-free environment, employment dipped further than their strike-era levels, even as earnings slightly rebounded. That's according to the union's 2024 annual financial report, released Friday to members and reviewed by The Hollywood Reporter. More from The Hollywood Reporter Writers Guild East Members Ratify First Union Contract at Story Syndicate (Exclusive) Michele Mulroney Running (Unopposed, for Now) to Lead Writers Guild West Writers Guild East Files Another Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against ITV (Exclusive) The document finds that in 2024 the total number of WGA West members reporting earnings fell 9.4 percent compared with the prior year and 24.3 percent from 2022. At $1.5 billion, members' total earnings rose 12.7 percent compared with 2023, but were still 21 percent below 2022's $1.9 billion. It's the latest sign of Hollywood companies reducing their output in a post-Peak TV, post-strikes world as a more cautious and risk-averse business culture has taken hold. 'We anticipate 2024's numbers to increase in subsequent reports, with late reporting to increase the number of writers employed to a level similar to 2023,' the union's annual report stated. 'Still, it is clear that the number of jobs has declined from peak years, caused by the companies' pullback in number of streaming projects on top of prior declines in linear programming.' The employment declines were steepest in television and digital platforms as well as in news, promotion, informational and interactive programming. Television and digital platform writer employment dropped nearly 11 percent between 2023 and 2024 and 28.5 percent from 2022. The WGA West represents thousands of writers in that category; on a smaller scale, news, promotion, informational and interactive programming writers dropped from 108 in 2022 to 94 in 2023 to 80 in 2024, a decline of nearly 26 percent. In television, writer earnings rose 12.3 percent in 2024 compared with the year prior, but dropped 25 percent when weighed against 2022. In its news and promotion category, earnings dropped 9.3 percent compared with 2023 and 1.1 percent from 2022. Writer employment fared better in theatrical films. The decline in 2024 compared with 2023 was only three percent but 16.2 percent in relation to 2022. The hit to earnings in film compared with two years prior wasn't as stark as in television, either: Earnings rose in 2024 by 14.2 percent in contrast to the year prior and was 9.5 percent lower than the 2022 total. Residuals were also down in 2024 compared with 2023, declining six percent. Still, an increase over a five-year period offered some space for optimism: The reuse payments were up 19.3 percent compared with 2019. The decline in television residuals was 12.4 percent compared with 2023, while in feature film it was 6.4 percent. The WGA West offered members an early peek at their data on television writer declines in April, when the union revealed that during the 2023-2024 season, writer jobs were down 42 percent. 'Writing careers have always been difficult to access and sustain, but the contraction has made it especially challenging,' the union said in an email. 'We are all subject to the decisions of the companies that control this industry, who have pulled back spending on content based on the demands of Wall Street.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
In The Age Of ChatGPT, Workers Want A Say On AI In The Workplace
Writers Guild of America Strike (Photo by). On May 2, 2023, six months after the launch of ChatGPT, screenwriters anxious about the use of AI in scriptwriting and development, kicked off what became the Writers Guild of America's second-longest strike, lasting 148 days. Since the emergence of generative AI and throughout the strike action, one question has been on everyone's mind: Is AI coming for our jobs? This piece tackles that very question and explores what happens when AI is brought up at the bargaining table, the concerns unions have, what protections they are asking for and securing, and how management can work with unions as a strategic partner. One thing is, however, crystal clear: as interest in and concerns about AI grow, workers around the world are not waiting for robust regulations to safeguard their interests; instead, they are actively raising the issue at the bargaining table. What are the Concerns About AI in the Workplace? ChatGPT and AI more generally clearly have several beneficial uses, but workers are concerned about their impact. Job displacement is a primary concern, and the WGA strike action, which touched on this, is a prominent example. Another concern unions have raised is that employers are often not transparent with employees about their use of AI. There have been instances where workers only learn about these AI tools at the bargaining table after submitting requests for information. Therefore, workers must pay attention to changes in their workplace to identify how AI use affects them, whether positively or negatively. Surveillance and monitoring have also emerged with the use of AI in algorithmic management. Some companies reportedly use AI to monitor employee communications and sentiment. Along with employees feeling the need to compete and keep pace with AI, this can lead to increased stress that affects workers' mental and physical health. Also, gig workers often report that they don't know how decisions are made or why they are assigned fewer tasks. They are monitored through tracking and delivery times and penalized for rejecting jobs. The ILO's platform economy report highlights this concern and informs ongoing discussions on a standard that will offer protections for platform workers. Algorithm bias and errors also raise concerns. For example, if a company implements an AI-driven performance evaluator to assess its call center agents, but the data on which the evaluator is trained involves call center agents who are predominantly white males, it could negatively score agents with different demographics—women and visible minorities—impacting their ratings, bonuses, and shift assignments. How Unions are Stepping in to Fill Governance Gaps Unions have observed that many workers feel intimidated by the technical nature of AI and are uneasy when discussing their concerns with their employers. Nonetheless, unions are taking matters into their own hands by ensuring that these concerns are addressed at the collective bargaining table. These discussions address a myriad of issues. For example, the Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas was able to negotiate a severance package requiring employers to pay $2,000 per year if an employee is laid off as a result of AI. Also, following multi-day discussions between the WGA and studio executives, a collective bargaining agreement was reached that, among other things, established guardrails for the use of generative AI, ensuring that writers retain control over their work and decisions regarding AI usage, and that AI supports human writers rather than replacing them. Ziff Davis Creators Guild has also ratified a collective bargaining agreement stating that there will be no layoffs or reductions in base pay due to generative AI. The agreement also provides for the formation of an AI subcommittee to evaluate AI use, and requires reasonable notice to the subcommittee before implementing AI. Most recently, in May 2025, the Communication Workers of America reached a tentative contract agreement for quality assurance testers at the video game studio ZeniMax Media (a Microsoft subsidiary). They have secured protections with ZeniMax committing to using AI solely to support employees and enhance productivity in a way that will not cause harm, as well as the right to appeal AI decisions to humans. 'Video games have been the revenue titan of the entire entertainment industry for years, and the workers who develop these games are too often exploited for their passion and creativity,' Jessee Leese, a QA tester at ZeniMax and member of the ZeniMax Workers United-CWA bargaining committee, said in a CWA press release. 'Organizing unions, bargaining for a contract, and speaking with one collective voice has allowed workers to take back the autonomy we all deserve.' Overall, trade unions involved in bargaining believe that AI significantly impacts the workplace. For them, the aim is not to hinder the use of AI, but to provide a voice for their members who want a seat at the table and an opportunity to work hand-in-hand with employers to ensure that AI use supports rather than harms employees. Research indicates that bargaining over AI is in its early stages but is continuously growing in relevance. UC Berkley is in the process of creating a technology bargaining inventory, 'a structured, searchable resource built to support organizers, negotiators, researchers, and other advocates,' says Lisa Kresge, lead researcher at UC Berkeley's Center for Labor Research and Education. The inventory will include over 500 collective bargaining agreements covering private and public-sector unions across different industries. Speaking on lessons from this research project, Kresge points out one interesting finding: 'Unions are negotiating around specific workplace technologies, rather than negotiating around technology in general.' She explains that historically, contracts included pre-adoption language in the event that an employer adopts technology or if it affects union rights. But that 'what we're seeing a lot more of now, is really very specific provisions around how employers can use specific technologies.' How Forward-Looking Leaders Can Engage Labor Unions as a Strategic Partner Given the increasing use of AI in the workplace and workers' and unions' interest in shaping how AI is used, management needs to consider AI as a collective bargaining issue. Here are five actions management can take to be equipped for this process: As AI tools proliferate and become embedded in business functions, and unions grow more vocal on the topic, companies can no longer afford to implement these tools unilaterally—they must partner with their workforce.
The South African
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Tyler Perry hit with explosive lawsuit over alleged misconduct
Director and filmmaker Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million (4.69 billion ZAR) lawsuit. This was filed by an actor alleging sexual harassment, assault and professional retaliation. Actor Derek Dixon filed the lawsuit at the Los Angeles Superior Court in early June 2025. It highlights an array of alleged instances that occurred between 2019 and 2021. Dixon, who was cast in Perry productions like The Oval and Ruthless , said that Perry used his influence and his power to create a coercive working environment. Within this environment, career advancements were offered in exchange for Dixon entertaining sexual propositions. Dixon alleges inappropriate physical contact and two instances of assault, one of which he claims occurred at Perry's home in Atlanta, Georgia. The complaint also outlined what Dixon alleges he endured whenever he declined these advances. His roles were reduced and minimised and any prospects were no longer being afforded to him. His legal team has alluded to a pattern of this kind of treatment happening at the Tyler Perry Studios. Perry's legal team headed by Matthew Boyd was quick to oppose these claims, referring to the lawsuit as 'A baseless shakedown. There is zero truth to these claims and Mr Perry will defend himself vigorously,' Boyd stated. This news has made global headlines, and as of yet, no court date has been set. Dixon does run the risk of these claims being thrown out or dismissed and this could have adverse effects on his career but If Dixon is in the right, however, Perry's empire, which was built on upstanding morals and just intentions, might take a knock. This is the first time Perry has been linked to allegations of this nature. In 2012 he was involved in a case involving copyright infringement and in 2008 he was embroiled in a labour dispute with the Writers Guild. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vox Media Union Members Vote to Authorize Strike With Midnight Deadline
Members of the Writers Guild East-affiliated Vox Media Union have voted to authorize its leaders to order a strike against the media company at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Thursday if a deal on a new labor contract is not reached. Ninety percent of the 250-member bargaining unit voted in favor of the strike authorization. The unit includes editorial staffers at The Verge, Eater, SB Nation, Pop Sugar, Thrillist, Vox Media Podcast Network and The Dodo. If a strike is ordered, WGA East plans to hold picket lines outside Vox's Broad Street headquarters in New York. 'Writers Guild members at Vox Media would much rather end the week with a fair and equitable contract than with a strike,' WGAE President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. 'The union and our allies are ready to support the Vox Media Union should they be forced to strike because management refuses to reach an agreement that meets members' very reasonable demands.' While not providing specifics on contract language, the Vox Media Union says it seeks protection for its members against abuse of artificial intelligence, as well as minimum compensation and annual raises 'that reflect today's economy and cost of living,' improved severance benefits and layoff procedures. Various unions have voiced their support for Vox Media, including a joint statement signed by the players associations for a variety of sports leagues covered by Vox's websites, including those for MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS, WNBA, and NWSL, among others. The AFL-CIO and New York City Central Labor Council also supported a campaign that sent a letter to Vox's leadership with more than 3,000 union members signing. The post Vox Media Union Members Vote to Authorize Strike With Midnight Deadline appeared first on TheWrap.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS Reveals Groovy Characters Posters and Season Episode Titles
We are a mere month away from the season three premiere of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Paramount+. And it's been a long wait for fans, as the 2023 Writer's Guild Strike halted production of the third season. This resulted in a two-year delay since the season two cliffhanger ending. But on July 17, Captain Pike and the Enterprise crew return at last for new adventures exploring the Final Frontier. Paramount+ has released a series of all-new character posters for the season spotlighting the bridge crew. You can check them all out in our gallery below: Click To View Gallery These images of the Strange New Worlds cast are very reminiscent of cover art for Star Trek novels of the '70's and '80s. Back then, fans had to wait years between movies, and watch endless reruns of the original series on TV. So the novels thrived, giving Trekkers their regular fix of new adventures. Were they canon? No, but fans ate them up anyway. And many of those novels had groovy painted covers by iconic fantasy/sci-fi artists like Boris Vallejo. These Strange New Worlds posters give us all the retro feels. Additionally, Paramount+ has also revealed the episode titles for all ten episodes of season three. 'The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail' appears to be Spock-centric, as a Sehlat was his pet on Vulcan as a child. Speaking of Vulcans, another episode is 'Four-And-A-Half-Vulcans,' which is probably the episode previewed at Comic-Con last year, where the human crew is transformed into logical Vulcans. The final episode of the season is titled 'New Life and New Civilizations,' which is of course part of the iconic opening spoken-word intro since the days of William Shatner. We'll have to wait and see how it ties into the 60-year legacy of Star Trek. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season three premieres on Paramount+ with two episodes on July 17.
