Hollywood actors and major film and television studios were scrambling to avoid a possible strike July 12 by meeting with federal mediators for last-minute contract talks. Negotiations between the actors, represented by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), and an alliance of studios have been ongoing since June 7 and…

LOS ANGELES—The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) actors union and Hollywood producers agreed to an extension of the 2020 TV/theatrical contracts on June 30, which were to expire at 11:59 p.m. Friday evening, avoiding a possible strike for now. The agreements will now expire on July 12 at 11:59 p.m., according…

Major movie studios, streaming services, and production companies face the threat of another strike this month after Hollywood actors—represented by the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)—authorized a strike on June 5. As the writers’ union strike entered its sixth week, the actors’ union promised to walk out if negotiations…

LOS ANGELES—A large, multi-union rally in support of striking Writers Guild of America members was held May 26 in downtown Los Angeles as the strike wrapped up its fourth week with no end in sight. Members of SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, and the Teamsters, along with hotel workers, teachers, SEIU 721, SEIU 1000, and AFSCME joined WGA…

BURBANK, Calif.—Hundreds of writers across the Los Angeles area picketed at major entertainment studios again on May 17, calling for better wages and representation as the strike entered its third week—with no end in sight. The strike began on May 2 after negotiations broke down between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance…

Commentary Richard Dreyfuss criticized the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ new Oscar rules in, as they say, no uncertain terms. The answer to my title question, however, is almost certainly “no bloody way”—even though Dreyfuss is an Oscar-winner himself and starred in several of the most financially successful films of all time. The…

Screenwriters for TV and film have begun to strike as their contracts ended. The strike will affect the late-night four: Fallon, Kimmel, Colbert, and Myers. Other shows that will have to halt production are “Real Time” with Bill Maher, “Last Week Tonight” with John Oliver, and the weekend favorite “Saturday Night Live.” These shows could…

LOS ANGELES—For the first time in 15 years, entertainment industry writers walked picket lines May 2 as their union remained at an impasse with Hollywood studios over a host of labor issues, most notably residuals for streaming content, staffing levels in writing rooms and the use of artificial intelligence. The leaders of the Writers Guild…