The WGA Strike is About a Lot More Than Just Money

Lon Harris
Lon Harris is a contributor to dot.LA. His work has also appeared on ScreenJunkies, RottenTomatoes and Inside Streaming.
The WGA Strike is About a Lot More Than Just Money
Evan Xie

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Thursday is Day 3 of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, and so far, neither side seems particularly ready to budge.

Studios and media companies did what they could to put on a brave face and go about business as usual. On his company’s Q1 earnings call on Thursday, Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish suggested that the company has stored up sufficient “content in the can,” and assured investors that streaming subscribers and movie fans “won’t notice anything for a while.” HBO, meanwhile, announced that production on Season 2 of “House of the Dragon” – which kicked off on April 11 at the UK’s Leavesden Studios – will move forward during the strike.


While writers and even movie nerd websites jumped on the news that the US entertainment industry have collectively lost more than $10 billion in value since the start of the strike, others were quick to point out that it was part of a general stock market dip that was likely responding to multiple economic variables.

It’s unclear how long the industry will be able to maintain this facade. As many WGA members pointed out on social media – including HBO veteran and “The Wire” creator David Simon – writing work doesn’t end when the scripts are turned in, but continues throughout production and even post-production on a major TV series like “House of the Dragon.”

As with that strike 15 years ago, the negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) revolve around much more than just higher wages. The slow death of linear and cable TV and the rise of streaming services have fundamentally altered just about every aspect of the entertainment business, and these strikes are as much about how writers go about their work and how they fit into the larger TV landscape as they are specifics of residual percentage points. WGA leaders told Variety this week that the real sticking point is not wages, but studios refusing to accept “structural change” to their hiring and employment practices.

TV showrunners express concern about streaming's "gig economy" hiring practices

To that end, the Los Angeles Times published a roundtable discussion this week among a group of TV showrunners, which shed some light about the changes brought about by streaming and their concerns for the future. There was general agreement among the group that new players like Amazon, Netflix, and Apple have a different vision for producing entertainment content than the Hollywood studios of the prior generation, taking a less artistic and more data-driven approach.

“Scrubs” and “Ted Lasso” veteran Bill Lawrence notes “they’re so streamlined, these companies, into corporate entities, where I feel like in old times they were at least inhabited by, if not artists, art lovers.” These concerns have a practical side as well, beyond just a general sense of disinterest about churning out a quality product.

“Swarm” showrunner Janine Nabers notes that the streamers’ “gig economy” approach to hiring writers – bringing them in for just a few weeks to knock out scripts for abbreviated TV seasons – threatens the entire future of the industry. Without secure full-time jobs that allow up-and-coming writers to learn the ropes, experience what it’s like to be on set, and personally shepard a show through the creative process, how are we to train the showrunners of tomorrow?

Lawrence agrees, noting that he was personally mentored by iconic “Family Ties” creator Gary Goldberg. Without that experience, would he have had the savvy and knowhow to produce “Ted Lasso” for Apple in the first place, and turn it into one of TV’s most acclaimed shows?

[On Thursday, the AMPTP responded specifically to this “gig economy” criticism, noting that writers enjoy guaranteed employment terms and benefits that help to distinguish their jobs from typical “gig” jobs like food delivery or ride-sharing.]

Streaming’s data-driven approach clashes with traditional creative decision-making

A recent Deadline interview with “Ghosted” director Dexter Fletcher also highlights the chasm between how the conventional entertainment industry approached creative decision-making vs. a newer entrant like Apple. (The film is a romantic action-comedy starring Chris Evans and Ana de Armas; it hit Apple TV+ in April and has become one of the streamer’s most popular originals.)

According to Fletcher, he pitched a creative opening sequence for the film, inspired by the 1978 Goldie Hawn-Chevy Chase film “Foul Play.” While it’s easy to imagine a classic archetypal Hollywood producer (think Al Pacino in Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) closing their eyes, envisioning the scene, and agreeing to the budget over martinis at Musso & Frank… Apple executives said no based purely on data.

“They said you can’t do it because if it [the opening sequence] goes on and something doesn’t happen in the first 30 seconds, we know the data shows that people will just turn off,” Fletcher told Deadline. “I don’t want that, so I make the compromise.”

The assembly line approach to creating content raises more questions about the viability of AI replacing screenwriters

This strikes at the fundamental sea change we’ve seen in the industry over the past few decades, going from leadership that demanded profits but still viewed films as fundamentally customized, bespoke products to more of a scale-focused, factory-and-assembly line paradigm. Naturally, this is where the new push for using AI to replace writers enters the picture.

Despite lengthy and passionate threads from investors and enthusiasts, it seems increasingly unlikely that software like ChatGPT is going to entirely replace screenwriters any time soon. A viral tweet from conservative commentator Ben Shaprio, apparently intended to demonstrate ChatGPT’s ability to write a coherent TV scene, had the exact opposite effect, highlighting the software’s inability to compose a coherent, even mildly amusing sitcom joke.

But the goal, at least short-term, might not be to have AI take over for Shonda Rhimes. If you’re a tech company thinking about producing media as simply another assembly line, the idea could be to replace just some workers on the line with robots, while keeping other human staffers around.

WGA Negotiating Committee member Adam Conover – the host of TLC’s “Adam Ruins Everything” – explicitly voiced these fears to Deadline this week. “I don’t think you’ll ever truly be able to replace the work of a writer but I don’t put it past these companies to try and cook up some cockamamie scheme where they have an output text and hire writers to rewrite it or something like that,” he said. “I think the public will hate it. I think it’d be a financial failure, but I think they might try and they could hurt a lot of writers by doing so.”

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Wonder Dynamics: Redefining the Animation Landscape
Wonder Animation

🔦 Spotlight

Happy Friday, LA!

Wonder Dynamics, a Los Angeles-based company founded by Tye Sheridan and Nikola Todorovic, has launched Wonder Animation, a beta feature that is poised to transform the landscape of video production. Acquired by Autodesk in May, Wonder Dynamics is leveraging this innovative tool, which harnesses artificial intelligence to turn standard video footage into captivating 3D animated scenes, making sophisticated animation techniques more accessible to filmmakers of all budgets.

Wonder Animation allows creators to shoot from multiple angles, with the AI reconstructing these shots into a dynamic 3D space. This functionality enables filmmakers to seamlessly blend live-action scenes with interactive virtual environments while preserving original camera movements. Users can customize various aspects, including animations, characters, lighting, and camera tracking data, and the tool integrates smoothly with popular software like Maya, Blender, and Unreal Engine.

What sets Wonder Animation apart is its emphasis on artistic control. Unlike many AI tools that impose rigid outcomes, this feature empowers creators to guide their projects, ensuring that their unique style remains front and center.

As the boundary between video and 3D animation blurs, Wonder Animation invites creators to experiment and innovate in exciting ways. This development marks a significant step forward in digital storytelling, democratizing access to high-quality visual effects and making sophisticated animation achievable for a broader range of filmmakers.

With the global animation market projected to reach approximately $400 billion in 2024 and grow to over $587 billion by 2030—reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 5%—tools like Wonder Animation are more relevant than ever. This growth underscores the increasing demand for animated content and highlights the necessity of innovative solutions to meet filmmakers’ evolving needs. For those looking to elevate their storytelling, Wonder Animation may just be the key to unlocking new creative horizons. According to Statista, this upward trend in the animation market emphasizes the significant opportunities ahead.


🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

  • Evite, an online platform enabling users to design, send, and manage digital invitations and eCards with tools for event organization and guest tracking, has received a strategic growth investment from Francisco Partners to accelerate innovation and expand its product offerings. - learn more
LA Venture Funds
  • F4 Fund participated in a $4.1M Pre-Seed funding round for Further, a platform designed to help first-time homebuyers determine how much home they can afford by providing personalized insights on interest rates and lender requirements, giving users a clear view of their purchasing power. - learn more
  • Alexandria Venture Investments participated in a $10M Seed funding round for CrossBridge Bio, a company focused on developing advanced dual-payload antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapies, with the funds supporting preclinical development of its next-generation cancer treatments. - learn more
  • Clocktower Ventures participated in a $5.6M Series A funding round for Morada Uno, a startup in Mexico focused on making apartment rentals easier by providing a platform that connects tenants with landlords and simplifies processes like lease agreements and rent payments. - learn more
  • Skyview Capital participated in a $5M Series A funding round for Web3 chain game A-World, a tower defense battle game set in the metaverse on the BNB Chain, where players build hero towers to defeat waves of monsters. - learn more

      LA Exits

      • Drive Hospitality, a leading provider of personalized parking and hospitality services, including valet, concierge, bell services, parking management, and advanced technology integration, has been acquired by Propark Mobility. - learn more
      • Vebu Labs, located in El Segundo and specializing in custom automation solutions for the food industry—including the innovative 'Autocado' system that automates the peeling, coring, and scooping of avocados to enhance operational efficiency—will be acquired by Serve Robotics. - learn more

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            Big Wins: Dodgers Take the Title ⚾, ChatGPT Levels Up🚀

            🔦 Spotlight

            Happy Friday, LA! It’s been a week of big wins, on and off the field. 🎉

            ⚾️ First up, let’s talk Dodgers. With a thrilling 7-6 comeback victory over the Yankees in Game 5, the Dodgers clinched their eighth World Series title, their first since 2020. The city is buzzing, and fans are ready to celebrate! A parade kicks off this morning at 11 a.m., starting at City Hall and winding down to Flower Street, with a ticketed celebration at Dodger Stadium for those wanting to keep the festivities going.

            Image Source: Dodgers

            💻 Meanwhile, in the tech, OpenAI just rolled out a game-changing update for ChatGPT. Plus and Enterprise users can now access real-time internet search, powered by Microsoft Bing, bringing ChatGPT's responses fully up-to-date. This means users can now ask about the latest news, hotspots, or recent LA startup announcements, and ChatGPT will pull in fresh, relevant answers directly from the web. Previously limited to information up to 2021, ChatGPT’s new browsing capabilities make it a valuable digital assistant for anyone needing real-time insights in fast-paced industries like tech and entertainment.

            Image Source: ChatGPT

            🔍 The real-time search feature also includes “Browse with Bing,” allowing ChatGPT to source information from multiple sites for detailed answers to complex questions. Whether you’re exploring the latest venture capital trends in LA or curious about the best local spots, ChatGPT’s new browsing power helps you stay ahead with the latest info. This leap forward in AI functionality makes ChatGPT even more versatile and powerful for everyone, from business owners to everyday users.

            From the Dodgers’ World Series win to OpenAI’s latest ChatGPT update, there’s a lot to celebrate in LA this week. Here’s to champions, innovation, and a city that’s always pushing boundaries. 🌆✨


            🤝 Venture Deals

            LA Companies

            • Final Boss Sour, a Los Angeles-based gaming-themed snack company specializing in healthier sour snacks, has raised a $3M Seed funding round led by Science Inc. to expand its product offerings and operational capabilities. - learn more
            LA Venture Funds
            • Smash Capital led a $50M Series B round for Read AI, a productivity-focused AI company, bringing its total funding to $81M. The company offers a platform that enhances meeting efficiency through features like note-taking, summarization, and transcription. Additionally, Read AI introduced "Read AI for Gmail," a free Chrome extension that integrates information from various applications, reducing the need to switch between apps. The funds will be used to increase the company's headcount in engineering, data science, and business teams. - learn more
            • Distributed Global participated in a $25M funding round for Nillion, a company that provides decentralized privacy solutions designed to secure sensitive data using advanced technologies like secure multi-party computation. - learn more
            • Act One Ventures participated in a $5M Seed funding round for Latii, a construction materials supply chain startup, to enhance its platform that connects contractors with suppliers, aiming to streamline procurement processes and reduce costs in the construction industry. - learn more
            • SmartGateVC participated in a pre-seed funding round for Ritual Dental, a company revolutionizing dental care by integrating advanced technology and microbiome science to provide personalized, preventive treatments. - learn more

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                Billion-Dollar Milestones and Snapchat’s New Features

                🔦 Spotlight

                Happy Friday Los Angeles!

                This week’s spotlight showcases LA’s thriving tech scene, featuring Snapchat’s latest feature updates and two local startups Liquid Death and Altruist, making TechCrunch’s Unicorn List for 2024.

                Image Source: Snap

                Snapchat’s recent fall updates bring fresh features, including a new iPhone camera shortcut for instant snaps, Halloween-inspired AI-powered Lenses, and Bitmoji costumes inspired by Mean Girls and Yellowstone. Bitmoji stickers now reflect trending Gen-Z expressions like “slay” and heart symbols for added flair in chats. Plus, the “Footsteps” feature on Snap Map allows users to track their past adventures privately, adding a nostalgic touch.

                Image Source: Liquid Death

                ICYMI, two LA startups joined the Unicorn Club—achieving valuations over $1 billion. Liquid Death, based in Santa Monica, is a canned water company with edgy branding and a humorous sustainability focus. Known for viral marketing and brand partnerships, it redefines bottled water as a lifestyle brand and environmental statement. In March, Liquid Death closed $67 million in strategic financing, raising its total funding to over $267 million and valuing it at $1.4 billion.

                Image Source: Altruist

                Altruist, a Culver City-based fintech platform, offers financial advisors streamlined tools to better serve their clients. With a user-friendly investment and account management platform, Altruist has gained strong traction in the finance world. In May, it announced a $169 million Series E funding round, bringing its total funding to over $449 million and earning a valuation of $1.5 billion.

                Together, Liquid Death and Altruist exemplify LA’s capacity for innovation across diverse sectors, from lifestyle branding to fintech. Whether reshaping financial tools or redefining sustainable branding, these companies showcase LA’s unique entrepreneurial spirit. Go LA!

                Check out TechCrunch’s 2024 Unicorn List here. And don’t miss Snapchat’s latest features—perfect for adding some fun, connection and maybe a few selfies this weekend!


                🤝 Venture Deals

                LA Companies

                • Freeform, a company bringing AI to metal 3D printing, raised $14M in funding from NVIDIA’s NVentures and AE Ventures to further develop its AI-powered 3D printing technology for industrial-scale production. - learn more
                LA Venture Funds
                • Anthos Capital participated in a $70M Series D round for Carbon Robotics, which develops AI-powered robotics for precision agriculture, and the funding will be used to accelerate the growth of its autonomous weeding technology. - learn more
                • Anthos Capital participated in a $3.5M seed round for Plasma Network, aimed at expanding access to USDT stablecoins on the Bitcoin network, with the investment supporting the network’s growth and efforts to enhance stablecoin accessibility through the Lightning Network. - learn more

                LA Exits


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