"In the 1980s, the American TV industry ushered in explosive growth due to the popularity of cable TV and home video. However, the salary system of our screenwriters is still based on contracts from the 1970s."

"The screenwriters can only get rewards from the first broadcast of the series. The remaining revenues such as TV replay, overseas distribution, videotape sales, etc. are almost all owned by the producers... We conducted five rounds of negotiations with the producers' alliance with sincerity, but none of them were achieved. We decided to fight for the benefits we deserved, and the participation of 9,000 screenwriters gave us great strength!"

“We formally make a claim:

Change the proportion of replay sharing from fixed expenses to profit sharing (especially videotape sales); increase the basic salary standard for script creation; expand the screenwriter's rights to derivative works (such as sequels, adaptations).

Starting today, the strike begins!”

A statement made the world shocked!

Well, it's not surprising. The screenwriter's union and the producers' alliance signed an agreement every three years, and almost every time it had to make a fuss, and everyone got used to it. For example, in 1985, the screenwriter also went on strike and it ended in two weeks.

So the union announced a strike, and Hollywood was not very surprised.

The producers' league was not very shocked, but responded: "We hope to resolve this matter as soon as possible, but it must be based on reasonable compliance, and the other party's demands are completely unrealistic!"

In short, Hollywood was paralyzed again overnight.

…………

“No pay, no write!”

"We need guarantees for the reward we deserve!"

"Either you pay or we spoil it!"

Early this morning, in the heart of Hollywood, the bustling streets were occupied by the screenwriters. They did not have a unified organization and they all participated in the war, so they were all kinds of and bizarre.

The slogans they are stamped are different, including serious anger and joking.

As for 9,000 screenwriters, they scattered, going to Paramount, Warner, Media, or simply parading on the commercial streets.

The leading actors are all famous screenwriters.

Are they short of money? They don’t have to participate.

This is very interesting, just like the Hollywood screenwriter and actor union strike together in 2023. No matter how big a celebrity, Robert Downey, Matt Damon, Meryl Streep, etc., they all have to express their support.

This is the awesomeness of the American trade union.

There is another situation, such as a person is both a screenwriter, director, and producer. What should he do? He can continue to do the work of director and producer, but he must not do the work of screenwriter.

"Tsk tsk!"

Chen Qi took Xiao Mo and Xiao Yang to come out to watch the fun. He was right at the door of Warner, with about three or four hundred screenwriters blocking the door.

"Brother Qi! Is this a case considered the working class resisting bourgeois oppression?" Xiao Mo asked a very in-depth question.

"Uh... First of all, you have to understand the nature of the American trade union. This is too complicated and you will not be able to explain it for a while."

Chen Qi only looked at the scene in front of him and felt extremely novel.

He is not a member of the union, but he has the attributes of a screenwriter. He is not good enough to show his head openly. He squatted in the dark and watched for a long time before patting his butt and standing up: "Go back!"

at the same time.

Upstairs of the main Warner Administration Building, Semer looked at the group of people through the window, with an expression of disgust: "Damn the screenwriters union, every time I do something, I see how long they can last this time!"

"I don't know how long it takes to last. Anyway, the screenwriter of "Batman" has run away!"

Jon Peters looked depressed.

"Batman" has already written a pretty good draft, but after reading it from Warner executives and Jon Peters, they felt that the image of the Joker was a bit thin, and hoped to add some of the Joker's origin stories and the social background of Gotham City.

As a result, the strike was completely stopped.

"Then are we waiting now?"

"They will end soon, and they will pretend to behave every time. We just need to comfort several leaders."

"Dongdongdongdongdongdong!"

At this moment, someone knocked in, but it was Richard Donner, the director of "Deadly Weapons 2". When he entered the door, he complained: "Strike on strike! I don't know what they are doing, but my screenwriter also ran away! What should I do now?"

"wait!"

Semer looked constipated.

"The Deadly Weapons 2" is the series of movies starring Mel Gibson. The first one has a good box office, and the second one is developed immediately. Who would have encountered a strike?

...

Paramount was in such trouble, too.

Spielberg was very upset and knocked on the script of "Raiders of the Lost Ark 3" and said, "It's going to be completed soon! Even if I'm giving me three days, I just went on strike at this time!"

“What else is missing?”

"Indiana Jones' interaction with his father lacks funny points, it's too stiff and needs to be modified!"

"Then I have to wait, I hope they will end the strike soon!"

...

20th Century Fox.

The crew of "Flying Over the Future" is also worried. The film has been filmed. After the internal trial, there are some scenes that need to be re-shooted. Since it is re-shooted, the screenwriter has to come on stage to write, but the screenwriter has run away.

Maybe someone asks, do you have to write the screenwriter? Can't the director and the actors write it themselves?

That's OK, but it may not be of that level.

Because the core element of Hollywood's industrialization is to refine division of labor and do what kind of work.

Like the mainland, a big shot deletes other people's plays and only highlights his own plays. In the end, the whole play is messed up, pats the butt and leaves, and directly kills a crew.

Hollywood cannot say nothing, but very few.

"Wait! They'll probably end soon."

"Flying Over the Future" has been scheduled for summer, and we must complete it as soon as possible! Can't we find non-union members to write it? Must wait?"

"The level of non-union members is difficult to guarantee, where to find..."

The conference room suddenly became quiet and I thought of a guy at the same time.

…………

Such things happen in several companies.

About 30-50 movies were affected by strikes, but the most serious impact was TV shows. "The Oprah Show" and "The Donahue Show" were suspended, and nearly 100 TV shows were suspended. TV stations could only fill the gap with replays, reality shows and news programs.

Some popular dramas, such as "Rosian Family Life" and "Golden Girl", either stopped broadcasting or hurriedly asked non-union members to write.

Public opinion is also very lively, and it is reported:

"It is estimated that the strike caused approximately $50 million in direct losses per week, affecting the cast, crew and surrounding industries."

"Some screenwriters have gained great public sympathy through open letters and media interviews to expose the unfair profit distribution of investors. This strike seems to be different from the past, and they are very, very firm!"

"The School of Film Arts and Sciences called the union, hoping that the screenwriter would first write the Oscar script process to ensure the smooth holding of the Oscars, but the union refused!"

"The Oscars, which were originally scheduled to be held on March 24, have been announced to be postponed by one week!"
Chapter completed!