Hollywood writers strike to impact B.C.’s movie, TV industry
Posted May 2, 2023 9:01 am.
The people who write your favourite movies and TV shows in the U.S. have gone on strike Tuesday.
While the industry is worth billions around the world, a good chunk of it is located in B.C. — almost $5 billion at last count.
The Writers Guild of America said that its 11,500 unionized screenwriters will head to the picket lines after negotiations between studios and the writers, which began in March, failed to reach a new contract before the writers’ current deal expired just after midnight, at 12:01 a.m. PST Tuesday. All script writing is to immediately cease, the guild informed its members.
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And whether it’s movies like Deadpool or shows like Riverdale, we’ve all seen production crews around the Lower Mainland. The move will have widespread ramifications and will put a damper on things for local actors and crew.
But, as many Vancouver area production companies have plans to expand, they’ll be ready when it’s back to “lights, cameras, action”.
The most immediate effect of the strike viewers will likely notice will be on late-night shows and “Saturday Night Live.” All are expected to go dark immediately.
During the last writers’ strike in 2007, late-night hosts eventually returned to the air and improvised material. Jay Leno wrote his own monologues, a move that angered union leadership.
That strike last for 100 days.
