Reports from insiders are saying that a breakthrough in contract talks has been reached over this weekend. Writers Guild of America leaders and studio executives met on Friday and Saturday night this weekend and the buzz coming from the inside is that talks have gone quite well. UnitedHollywood.com ran an update on Saturday saying, "UH has confirmed from off-the-record sources that progress is indeed being made in the informal talks, and that creative solutions to the biggest differences between the AMPTP and the WGA have gotten the tentative and cautious approval of both sides." While this doesn't mean there is a deal, it does mean things are getting very close and we may possibly see the strike ending this week or next.
Things seem to be falling into place perfectly in time for the Oscars on February 24th. Most seem to say that it was the DGA's tentative agreement (on January 17th) with the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) that has fueled progress with the writers strike. Work still remains to be done on the agreement, and it would still need to be approved by a majority of guild members, but as UnitedHollywood.com points out, everything seems to be moving along solidly.
"Just as happened with the DGA deal, points that are agreed to in informal negotiation can be thought of as points on a deal memo — but it's the drafting language that comes from hammering out those points that makes them legally binding. And our sources say that draft language doesn't yet exist. That's a big part of what will be happening in the next few days, as negotiations continue."
Interim agreements were made throughout January with individual studios like United Artists, The Weinstein Company, Lionsgate, and Marvel Productions, but not all studios have signed and ideally these agreements don't mean all too much. In the recent informal meetings that started up last week, the writers guild and studio executives have been discussing some of the most sensitive matters, including compensation for digital distribution and streamed content. Reports state that solutions to these issues have received the "tentative and cautious approval of both sides."
For the sake of everyone involved, I really hope this breakthrough finally means the end is really in sight. Not only do I want to the Oscars to go on in all their glory, but also I hope that the stubborn studio execs are finally coming to their senses and agreeing to what the writers are asking for. We'll keep you updated on the progress and whether or not the writers strike really will come to an end this week.
User comment: By: John CampeaBut other than than, I 100% agree with you. It's time these two sides started doing with rational people do and get a deal done. This work stoppage has hurt far too many people, and we're at the point now, with so much money lost, so many jobs cut, so many lives hurt, that no matter what this deal looks like when it's all said and done... neither side "won". Well done AMPTA and WGA. You're both a couple of ignorant asses. Now get a deal done and stop the pointless bleeding
User comment: By: John Campea"I hope that the stubborn studio execs are finally coming to their senses and agreeing to what the writers are asking for." Was that a joke? You do realize that the issues keeping the WGA and AMPTP apart from the table was the WGA's nonsense insistence on having jurisdiction over Reality TV, Animation and the right to Sympathy strike with other unions even when under contract right? You know that right? The AMPTA showed they were willing to deal with the digital distribution and royalty rights by coming to a deal with the DGA on those very same issues in 5 days. As soon as the WGA leadership came to their senses and pulled the Sympathy strike, and reality TV demands off the table, talks resumed and real progress started to get made.
User comment: By: CurtisI'm really hoping it ends soon, i really want the show to get back on track, even if they don't its still reassuring to know that they'll be back for sure in August.
User comment: By: Darrinim glad there was a writer's strike. if there wasnt one we would still getting the same lame blockbusters like spiderman 1,2&3, shrek 3 and pirates 3.
Visit here to subscribe to commentsUser comment: By: ConradFinally some good news on this front! This has been a prick in my paw for months! Movies and tv series have been halted far too long because of this. Although for the record I fully back the WGA, they deserve to get profits from any online streaming accounts they want. Heck, without the writers, there wouldn't be anything to stream in the first place!
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