Breaking News: Game of Thrones Writer Reveals Shocking Prediction for Writer's Strike—You Won't Believe How Long It Could Last!

Summary

The Guilds have demonstrated a remarkable unity, with both SAG and WGA receiving nearly unanimous support for strike authorization votes.

Martin is concerned that the current writers' strike will endure for an extended period and become as intense as the notorious strike that took place in the 1980s. Renowned Game of Thrones author, George R.R. Martin, offers his insights into the ongoing strike, providing a prediction regarding its duration and drawing similarities to previous events. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) initiated the strike in early May, championing for equitable compensation and addressing concerns related to artificial intelligence (among other issues). Subsequently, in mid-July, SAG-AFTRA joined the strike, effectively halting all operations in Hollywood.

Martin has posted a new blog on his website, commenting on the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The author explains the reasons behind the strikes and predicts that they will endure for a significant period of time. Martin draws a comparison between the current strike and the 1985 WGA strike, although it is more likely that he is referring to the 1988 strike, which holds the record as the longest strike in the guild's history. Below are some excerpts from Martin's comments:

"In regard to the writers... the studios have completely disregarded us. All negotiations between AMPTP and the WGA ceased in May when the strike commenced. It is challenging to reach any agreement when the opposing party refuses to participate in the discussion."

I joined the WGA in 1986 and have experienced multiple strikes with them. Although we achieved gains in all of them, certain issues hold greater significance. However, this year's strike surpasses them all in importance. Last week, an unidentified producer revealed that the AMPTP's strategy is to persist until writers begin losing their homes and apartments, indicating the gravity of the situation.

Nonetheless, we are prepared to confront it head-on. I have never witnessed such unwavering unity within the Guilds; the strike authorization votes from both SAG and WGA were practically unanimous, a remarkable display of solidarity.

How The Current Strike Compares To 1988's

The 1988 writers strike holds the record for the longest WGA strike action to date, lasting 22 weeks. Decisions on residuals, writers' creative control over their TV and film scripts, and studios' cost-cutting efforts were among the areas of disagreement between the WGA and the AMPTP. The substantial divide between writers and studios on these matters meant that it took over five months to reach a resolution.

Some of these issues that writers are currently fighting for today are similar to those in the past. Residuals, for instance, have become a contentious topic due to the streaming boom. Many writers now feel that they are not receiving fair compensation. In the traditional model, writers of successful shows would receive significant residual payments based on the frequency of reruns and the viewership numbers.

However, with the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, writers are no longer certain about the performance of their shows, and their residual payments do not accurately reflect the success of a show. While disputes over residual payments are a key reason for the WGA strike, other major sticking points include the involvement of AI in script-writing and the dynamics of writers rooms. Notably, industry experts, along with the predictions of the Game of Thrones author, suggest that the strike may not end anytime soon.

Source: George R.R. Martin