Setting the stage… Hollywood’s strikes scored better pay and protections for actors and writers, but entertainment workers aren't done negotiating with studios. Union crewmembers (think: costume designers, drivers, animal trainers) were particularly harmed by the work stoppage and entered bargaining this week for deals set to expire in July. Like actors and writers, behind-the-scenes workers want higher pay and AI protections. If a contract can’t be worked out, Tinseltown could be in for a third major strike. For talent, wages are up, yet jobs are scarce: 2013’s pilot season saw networks order 98 scripted TV comedies and dramas, but last season’s total was just 6. This season Paramount’s CBS isn’t ordering any.
Roll credits… With SAG’s new contract, weekly minimum rates for regular actors will rise 15% to $4.3K by 2025, but it pays (more) to be famous: Adam Sandler took home last year’s highest-earner title with $73M from Netflix films like “Leo” and “Murder Mystery 2.” Still, the best job in Hollywood is boss. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav raked in nearly a half billion dollars between 2018 and 2022 — 384x the average pay of a Hollywood writer.
Close-up shot: Despite hard-won protections, AI updates are expected to hurt 204K entertainment jobs over the next three years.