The Hollywood writers’ strike has come to an end.

After 148 days of fighting and demonstrations The Hollywood writers’ strike has come to an end.. After reaching an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the Writers Guild of America (WGA) voted unanimously to lift the restraining order and end the strike this Wednesday.

This means that starting today from 15:00 Eastern Time (21:00 Spain)WGA members will be able to return to work. In any case, some issues still need to be resolved, since the writers will have to vote on whether to ratify the agreement reached with the studios. This will happen from October 2 to October 9.

The new labor agreement between Hollywood screenwriters and major film and television production companies will last almost three years and last until May 1, 2026. Thus, what was discussed earlier this week will be ratified when the warring Parties declared that they had reached a preliminary agreement.

One of the important points of agreement reached between Hollywood screenwriters and AMPTP is significant increase in salary and residual income. In this sense, the greatest impact is seen in products for streaming platforms.

Hollywood scriptwriters set conditions for streaming giants

According to a new contract released by the WGA, films in development for platforms like Netflix or Disney+ with a budget of $30 million or more will have to pay minimum initial compensation of $100,000 for the story and script to its author. This represents an 18 percent increase over the previous agreement. Added to this is an increase in the residual base by 26%.

Hollywood screenwriters will also receive bonuses based on audience generated by streaming content. This is a major development as it will force platforms to be transparent about how well their original series and films are reaching the public. An important fact, given that companies usually do not share accurate statistics on the reproduction of their content.

“The companies agree to provide to the Syndicate, subject to a confidentiality agreement, the total number of broadcast hours, both domestically and internationally, of high-budget streaming programs of their own production (such as a Netflix original series). The Union may share information with members on an aggregate basis.”

A fragment of the new agreement between the WGA and film and television companies.

Using Generative AI

In addition to raising salaries and paying off balances, Hollywood screenwriters have achieved introduce specific measures for the use of generative artificial intelligence. First, this technology cannot be used to write or rewrite literary material, nor can it be used as a source. What does it mean? These studios won’t be able to use tools like ChatGPT or Bard to create stories that writers then have to turn into a script.

Refusal to work with company-provided AI-generated materials has two aspects. On the one hand, this meets the need to protect the screenwriter in case he is accused of plagiarism. Let’s not forget that the use of copyrighted material is a source of significant controversy in the arts sector. On the other hand, to prevent studios from claiming rights to an original story created by artificial intelligence and based on which the writer wrote the script.

However, it is worth clarifying that the use of generative AI among WGA members is not prohibited. Hollywood screenwriters will be able to use artificial intelligence tools in providing their services as long as they get the consent of the production company they work for and comply with its policies. Nevertheless, Companies will not be able to force authors to use technologies such as ChatGPT in their works..

Additionally, film and television studios must inform screenwriters if the material they are working with includes AI-generated elements. While the WGA will leave the door open to considering the use of materials created by its affiliates to train artificial intelligence models as exploitation, depending on how their eventual regulation evolves.

The writers’ strike is over, the actors’ strike is yet to be resolved

Just because the writers’ strike is coming to an end doesn’t mean there aren’t conflicts in Hollywood. Film and television studios They have yet to resolve their conflict with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA)., which remains under martial law. At the moment the prospects are not the best.

Let’s remember that the strike of Hollywood actors and screenwriters paralyzed the industry, affecting several high-level productions. Deadpool 3, The task is impossible 8 and second season Last of us these are just a few of them. Most of the affected series and films are not expected to release on their original release dates.

The authors were allowed to return to work after 148 days of unemployment. studios will try to make up for lost time. However, filming will remain on hold until SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP reach an agreement.