QandAs: Buzz

What happens if Hollywood writers go on strike?

Answer:
If members of the Writers Guild of America

go on strike, a ripple effect of bad news would affect not only the writers and the big movie studios and TV networks but also TV viewers and, perhaps most tragically, a Los Angeles economy already strained due to mass destruction caused by recent wildfires.

We cannot predict the likelihood that strikes will occur, but if writers do strike starting on Nov. 1, the effects would likely be devastating to an industry that hasn't had such a strike in 20 years. The entertainment industry represents nearly 10 percent ($30 billion) of LA County's annual economy. Not only would actors, directors, crew and technicians be affected. Affiliated businesses such as caterers, hotels, restaurants and florists would also take a hit.

If the writers walk out, tens of thousands of technical workers, including electricians, set designers and camera operators would likely be out of work.

The writers union and studio representatives were meeting with federal mediators this week, but the writers' three-year employment contract is set to expire at midnight Halloween night, and no agreement has been reached.

A strike would be the first writers strike since 1988. That strike cost the entertainment industry an estimated $500 million. Industry experts say a strike in 2007 could cost the industry more than $1 billion, which would have trickle-down effects on the rest of the LA community.

What this means for TV viewers is a schedule full or re-runs and what few episodes are already "in the can." The networks appear to have a few weeks worth of programming on hand, but the strike could go on beyond their capacity to fill the airwaves with new programming.

Production on TV and films won't stop in the event of a strike. Writers for commercials, reality TV and sports shows aren't covered by the Writers' Guild contract and would be able to continue working. That's good news for fans of "American Idol" or "Monday Night Football." But fans of "Heroes" or "Grey's Anatomy" might soon find themselves wondering where all the new episodes have gone.

Hollywood is also concerned that TV viewers will find other modes of entertainment - most likely online - and might not return to TV shows when they return. Such a calamity struck the TV show Moonlighting, which never recovered from viewer dissatisfaction over a lack of new episodes during the 1988 strike.

Negotiations continue even now but the two sides - studios and the writers guild - the divide appears to focus on extra compensation tied to home video and online distribution.


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