Strikes, unions and public anger. The year began with strikes by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, revealing the harsh realities of broadcast production: overworked writers, exploited actors, and studios that prioritize profit over quality. By supporting unions, the public has made it clear that creative workers deserve better.
Warner Bros. Studios like these are fueling the fire. Discovery and Disney launched a brutal streaming purge, compromising content and angering viewers. Dozens of items have disappeared, replaced by corporate claims of “saving money.”
But 2023 is not just about companies dictating the terms. Creators in the industry spoke out against it. Internal VFX workers at Marvel and Disney formed a union, frustrated with the processes within the company. Similar efforts have been extended to WB Animation, board games and video games. These were not isolated events, but a collective call for change.
Meanwhile, audiences are tired of the predictable performance of the Hollywood machine. While major studio movies failed at the box office, smaller, human-centered films like Barbie and Oppenheimer found success. Audiences have become more selective, voting with their wallets for originality and heart over formulaic films.
Will 2024 bring change? It’s too early to talk about this issue. But one thing is clear: 2023 was the year Hollywood faced backlash. While creators expect respect, audiences are tired of being treated like wallets. Time will tell whether the industry will listen, but one thing is certain: The dynamics are changing and the old ways won’t cut it anymore.
Source: Ferra
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
