A Reset Is Happening

I hadn't planned on talking more about the Writer's Strike. But there's been some shocking news that's been happening to several well known figures in the industry. Creators like Justin Simien (Dear White People) and David Simon (The Wire) are having their deals suspended by studios that leaves them in a no-man's land as artists. Unable to not only pay their staffs, but also continue producing work.

They have essentially been silenced until the strike is over.

What this signals is a time period where the big media companies want to reset our stories. Going backwards to a time period where the America on-screen doesn't reflect the way it looks in real life.

A PAUSE ON PROGRESS

This week, Justin Simien's production company Culture Machine had his overall deal suspended by Paramount at the beginning of the month. Justin is the writer, director and creator of Dear White People (both the film and TV series) as has several projects in development. He's one of many who have (or will) received notices that their deals are essentially on hold until further notice.

An Overall Deal is essentially "an agreement between a creator and a studio where the studio financially compensates the creator and/or their company to then own the ideas they create while under this deal. Anything created while this deal is signed stays within the studio that owns it. It cannot be shopped elsewhere, even if the studio passes on that project.?"

This deal is highly coveted by filmmakers and production companies because, usually, it represents a measure of stability. Not to mention, the opportunity to bring in other people looking for the chance to create work they're passionate about. In the case of Culture Machine, it means giving chances to people who would normally not have one.

And now, the dreams of those artists might be crushed just as they're getting started.

A HISTORIC PATTERN

Even with the advent of the internet and social media, Hollywood reigns supreme on a global scale. It's how not only our country, but the world at large sees our society. Living in Denmark, their understanding of me and my home country came from what they saw from Hollywood. And why still to this day, America is regarded as the land of opportunity.

When I lived abroad, Danish society was (and still is) heavily prejudiced against foreigners who were "stealing their jobs" and not "part of the culture". These were immigrants from Pakistan and Turkey who were welcome with open arms when jobs were in excess. But when a recession was on the horizon. Suddenly, these immigrants went from boon to burden. And opportunities for them became scarce and guarded.

This is similar to what's happening here in the entertainment industry and, most likely, other industries to come. Leading up to, and during, the pandemic companies chased subscribers and were spending money freely. They were comfortable taking on debt to give creators a chance. Because having a show that everyone talked about was the most important goal.

But now, the goal is profit. Through several mergers, the big streamers want to maximize their profits. They've taken the hint from other companies (like grocers) that they can cut costs, upcharge, and increase the bottom line. So far, the consumer has been willing to pay. While the big streamers are making record profits. They are claiming they need to tighten their belts. ?So the writers are to be left out in the cold. Possibly to be paid less due to AI tools like ChatGPT.

A SLOW SILENCING

The profits these companies made were off of the backs of artists like Justin Simien. People who aren't the norm inside of Hollywood - White men. They were paid pennies on the dollar and happily worked hard for the chance at getting their perspective as part of the mainstream conversation. But now when "times are tough" they are the first ones with no voice.

It's unclear whether these deals will continue or just be canceled once the strike is over. But what's clear is that the owners of large media companies have a distinct vision for what the Hollywood media narrative is:

It's compromising and unthreatening. It's comfortable and it puts out the same narratives as old.

But they'll give us the grace of letting some women and some brown face be on the screen to promote it. The ultimate goal is to siphon money from the works, the creators, and funnel it up top. And when the work you make is less valuable. The less people are likely to want to do it in the first place. The established voices get richer. While the unheard ones just go their own way.

Which means our stories are left out in the cold.

THE STRIKE CONTINUES

The strike is still going on and we don't know how it's going to end. But the writer's do have power on their side. No one is crossing the picket line. And in a matter of months, the industry will have to negotiate before their companies are in danger as well. Unlike the last strike, there is little chance reality TV can come in to replace the demand for narrative series.

There are also more ways to get our stories out there than before. I do think that some writers and producers might use this as an opportunity to re-evaluate their relationship with the large Hollywood companies. If they can use technology to oppress their artists. There's also a way we can use it to liberate.

But I'm also a bit of an optimist.

Justin's crowdfunding campaign is still running and is very close to reaching its goal. I encourage everyone to give what you can and keep this company going. Not only for him, but also the people who are so close to living their creative dream.

The dream that our perspective and our voice can actually be heard. And in turn, enabling others to recognize their own significance.