Shy glimpses of a thaw in a tug-of-war that brings Hollywood to its knees. The Union of Scriptwriters and the “bloc” uniting film and television producers will meet again tomorrow, and for the first time since the filmmakers folded their hands, a face-to-face meeting of the leaders of the two organizations will take place.
The meeting was suggested, according to Variety, by Carol Lombardini, president of the Motion Picture and Television Producers Alliance. Obviously no deal is in sight, but this is the first attempt at contact since May 1, when negotiations failed and the writers went on strike. In fact, the WGA is raising its hands and writing to its members: “We will update you after the meeting, but beware of rumors. If there is something important, you will know directly from us.” Lombardini asked that the meeting discuss the status of the negotiations rather than substantive issues.
Amppt, which represents major Hollywood studios and streaming services, has been evaluating for days how to reopen talks in a dispute that is causing a meltdown in the entertainment industry. The writers’ strike, followed by the actors’ strike in mid-June, effectively paralyzed Hollywood. Meanwhile, solidarity among actors is growing, with those who have donated at least $1 million each including George Clooney, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, spouses Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. , Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively, Julia Roberts, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dwayne Johnson, Meryl Streep and Oprah Winfrey. The Solidarity Fund is run by the Foundation associated with the trade union acronym representing film, television and radio actors, the Sag-Aftra Foundation.