This is GREAT news! In the midst of this crippling writers strike, a very bright ray of hope has come! As many of you know, the talks between the WGA and the Producers Association broke down when the Producers refused to talk with the WGA any further until the WGA removed their demands to have jurisdiction over reality shows and animation. This was a shame since it appeared the two sides APPEARED to be getting close on the money and residual issues.
It is now being reported today in the Hollywood Reporter that the WGA and Producers have restarted talks, and the WGA have finally agreed to take their demands for jurisdiction over reality and animation off the table. To me, this is the first sign that the WGA leadership has been serious about trying to end the strike and reach a deal. One writer told me that once the Directors Guild reached an agreement with the Producers so quickly, the pressure from the writers to their leadership to get things moving again intensified greatly.
This is a huge step, and now with this nonsense out of the way, we’ll see if the producers were just talking bullshit or not. With reality and animation off the table, there is no reason these two sides shouldn’t be able to reach a deal.
The WGA is now taking a much softer tone as well:
“We have responded favorably to the invitation from the AMPTP to enter into informal talks that will help establish a reasonable basis for returning to negotiations,” the WGA said. “During this period, we have agreed to a complete news blackout. We are grateful for this opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion with industry leaders that we hope will lead to a contract. We ask that all members exercise restraint in their public statements during this critical period.
“In order to make absolutely clear our commitment to bringing a speedy conclusion to negotiations, we have decided to withdraw our proposals on reality and animation,”
So neither side will be talking or yapping to the press or making any more cute little one sided manipulative videos (they were both doing it) and will be keeping their mouths shut except to talk to each other. FINALLY! This is how is should have been from the very start! Public opinion means NOTHING. Use your energy and concentration on reaching a deal, not making propoganda for the public who have nothing to say about the issue anyway.
This is great news. I applaud both sides for doing what needed to be done to get back to the table. The Oscars may be saved after all.
