‘It’s a very tough time in Hollywood’: inside the shrinking world of the TV writers’ room

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the significant changes and challenges faced by the television writers' room in the entertainment industry, particularly due to the rise of streaming platforms, the COVID-19 pandemic, racial reckoning, and the recent writers' strike.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Changing Landscape of Writers' Rooms

1. What are the key changes that have occurred in TV writers' rooms in recent years?

• The rise of streaming platforms has led to a shift from the traditional 22-episode network sitcoms and dramas to shorter seasons with fewer episodes, typically 6-10 episodes.
• This has resulted in smaller writers' rooms, with a minimum of 6 writers per show as per the recent contract agreement, compared to the larger rooms of a dozen or more writers in the past.
• The shorter employment periods for writers have made it more challenging for them to maintain a steady income and find the next opportunity.

2. How have the racial reckoning and diversity initiatives impacted writers' rooms?

• Most studios now have diverse writer programs and mandate a diverse representation in writers' rooms.
• While this has provided more opportunities for writers of color, some feel that the diversity requirement is often seen as a "checkbox" that is fulfilled with just one or two writers of color in the room.
• There is a concern that once the diversity requirement is met, there is limited effort to go beyond that and truly integrate diverse perspectives.

3. What role has the rise of AI played in the writers' room dynamics?

• The recent writers' strike addressed the issue of AI-generated content, with the new agreement stipulating that scripts must be written by humans, not AI.
• Studios are currently content to rely on the writers' rooms rather than spending more money on AI-generated content, as the writers are seen as providing better value.
• However, there is an acknowledgment that the use of AI in the entertainment industry is an ongoing concern that will need to be further addressed.

[02] The Impact of the Writers' Strike

1. What were the key outcomes of the recent writers' strike?

• The strike secured an increase in pay and future residual earnings for writers, ranging from 3.5% to 5%.
• It also established a minimum number of writers required in a writers' room, with at least 6 writers for shows intended to run for at least 13 episodes.
• The strike also ensured that scripts must be written by humans, not AI, and that writers have the right to sue if their work is used to train AI.

2. How has the strike impacted the working conditions and job prospects for writers?

• Despite the strike's benefits, the overall climate for writers remains challenging, with some experienced writers struggling to find work.
• The reduced episode count and shorter employment periods have forced writers to constantly be on the lookout for the next opportunity to earn a living wage.
• Some writers have had to make difficult decisions, such as relocating their families or accepting remote work, in order to secure employment.

3. How have the changes in the industry affected the writers' rooms and the overall sustainability of the profession?

• The pullback in content and the "bursting of the TV bubble" has led to fewer jobs and more competition for writers.
• This has resulted in tougher negotiating positions for writers, making it increasingly difficult to be a working professional screenwriter.
• The article concludes that it is a "very tough time in Hollywood" for writers, with the industry's changes and consolidation leading to a more challenging environment for the profession.