Possible progress in Hollywood writers strike talks

Negotiations aimed toward settling the four-and-a-half-month-old strike by screenwriters in opposition to Hollywood studios resumed Wednesday and can proceed Thursday, the 2 sides mentioned in a uncommon joint assertion that itself might be an indication of progress.

Wednesday night’s one-line assertion from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Movement Image and Tv Producers (AMPTP) mentioned merely, “The WGA and AMPTP met for bargaining at present and can meet once more tomorrow.”

“In the event that they’re placing out a joint assertion, I am taking that as a constructive signal,” a studio supply advised The Hollywood Reporter. “Given what’s transpired, this feels totally different from earlier than.”

The walkout has stopped manufacturing of flicks and tv reveals.

Points dividing the 2 sides embrace pay, the scale of writing staffs and using synthetic intelligence for scripts.

Actors represented by SAG-AFTRA began their very own strike in July over separate points however no new negotiations are recognized to be on faucet in that walkout.

It is the primary time in 63 years that Hollywood has been hit with two such strikes on the identical time.

CNBC, citing folks near the writers talks in Sherman Oaks, Calif., mentioned an settlement is close to and the events hope to succeed in an settlement Thursday.

However, the CNBC sources cautioned, the strike might final via the tip of the 12 months if a deal is not agreed on.

A picketer in Los Angeles advised CBS Information Los Angeles Wednesday, “It is nonetheless it is nonetheless robust sledding. And I would not … expect … champagne corks or something tomorrow or Friday, essentially.”

Quite a few retailers reported that Wednesday’s session included Disney CEO Bob Iger, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Comcast’s NBCUniversal Studio Group Chairman Donna Langley and Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav. All 4 are anticipated to attend Thursday’s talks. Selection described their attendance as “a break from earlier periods.”

A Reuters information service supply mentioned folks within the room Wednesday referred to as the session “encouraging.”

Paramount Photos, one of many studios concerned within the negotiations, and CBS Information are each a part of Paramount World. Additionally, some CBS Information workers are SAG-AFTRA or Writers Guild members, however their contracts are usually not affected by the strikes.