#dga

[dduane]

WGA Strike Day 22: Today's excitement (so far...)

(sigh) Plainly the old saying applies: "When someone tells you they don't respect you, believe them the first time."

[fans4wga]

SAG-AFTRA, Teamsters, IATSE, Writers Guild Issue Joint Statement in Solidarity with Directors Guild of America

May 31, 2023

Los Angeles, CA — As the Directors Guild of America’s negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) enter their final scheduled week, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the Teamsters, Hollywood Basic Crafts (Teamsters Local 399, IBEW Local 40, LiUNA! Local 724, OPCMIA Local 755 and UA Local 78), the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW), and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) stand alongside our sisters, brothers, and kin in the DGA in their pursuit of a fair contract.

We believe in a Hollywood where every worker is valued and their contributions recognized, whether their labor is on or off screen. A fair contract for directors does not benefit just a select few; it uplifts every worker in the film and television industry and acknowledges the interconnected nature of our work. We call on the AMPTP to immediately negotiate a fair agreement that addresses the Directors Guild of America’s unique priorities in good faith.

As eyes around the world again turn towards the negotiation table, we send a clear message to the AMPTP: Our solidarity is not to be underestimated. The Hollywood guilds and unions stand united, and we stand strong.

In solidarity,

Matthew D. Loeb International President, IATSE

Lindsay Dougherty Motion Picture Division Director & Western Region Vice President, Teamsters Hollywood Basic Crafts, Chairperson

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, SAG-AFTRA

Michael Winship President, Writers Guild of America, East

Meredith Stiehm President, Writers Guild of America West

[mysharona1987]

[pjotvshownews]

James Bobin has been nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs for 2023 for the first episode of Percy Jackson and the Olympians!

[thefirsthogokage]

Looks like Steven DeKnight (Daredevil, Buffy, Angel) also agrees they should be asking for more. (DGA version)

Stand strong, DGA, and vote No!

[gleamiarts]

DO NOT separate ⤴

[detectivechen]

[coffee-and-uhg]

“There was a moment in the Andor FYC where the presenter was playing a clip of Andy Serkis’ big monologue, and as they screened it, Diego Luna got out of his chair and sat on the ground so that he didn’t block the crowd’s view of his colleague’s scene. It was humble, thoughtful and professional.” -Doc Wyatt, DGA

[everwizard]

I think it'd be really funny if the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes continue through the Emmy's. I want them to get the pay they're deserved of course but if studios are gonna keep being shit, I want them to feel the emptiness of the awards without half the people there. And if the DGA get in on this, ohohohoho.... It'll just be delicious...

[writergeekrhw]

MY 2c ON THE DGA DEAL*

So, the DGA cut a deal with the AMPTP. There are definitely some writers who are upset about this, but TBH I'm not one of them. Because...

DGA gonna DGA. I always knew they'd use our strike as leverage to cut a deal. The question was if the WGA can use that deal to establish pattern bargaining for what we needed, and they actually seem to have addressed 3 of our big issues so good on them. 2 more than I thought!

For all intents and purposes, the DGA is structurally incapable of striking, so they were always going to play good cop to us "crazy writers" to maximize their gets. They got foreign streaming residuals, AI, and some gains in comedy and variety.

In all likelihood, the WGA can get all of the above now with pattern bargaining (once SAG is either done or on strike). They also got some gains against free work, which is promising. That leaves only a few things we need on the table, which is good for us.

In a lot of ways, this is the best-case scenario, even though it probably stings for some who hoped they'd go out with us. That was never going to happen. Because, like I said... DGA gonna DGA.

And at this point in my life and career, there are some mistakes I think I know better than to make.

*Arguably not even worth 2c.

[iww-gnv]

The New York Film and Television Union Coalition is praising a pair of identical bills pending in New York State that would “prohibit applicants to the Empire State film production credit from using artificial intelligence that would displace any natural person in their productions.” The coalition is made up of SAG-AGTRA, the WGA East, the Directors Guild of America, the Cinematographers Guild (IATSE Local 600), the Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700), United Scenic Artists (IATSE Local 829), IATSE Local 52, and Teamsters Local 817. The use of artificial intelligence in the production of film and TV shows is a key strike issue for both the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA, which have been on strike since May 2 and July 14, respectively. The DGA’s new contract, which was ratified in June, contains guardrails on its use, and IATSE, which will begin contract negotiations next year, has said that artificial intelligence “threatens to fundamentally alter employers’ business models and disrupt IATSE members’ livelihoods.” 

[Read the rest]

[askarsjustsoswedish]

Flashing gifs // Alexander Skarsgård – 68th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards – Los Angeles, 6 Feb ’16.  WMTV, Y/T (x)

[fans4wga]

Why is the DGA not striking? Are their working conditions that much better?

That's a great question! The short answer is no, their working conditions aren't much better. Their supposedly "historic" 2023 deal isn't very good, especially around AI protections. They just have leadership that isn't interested in striking.

Some history: During the most recent writers' strike in 2007-08, the directors' guild negotiated a deal that many saw as undercutting the WGA strike. Similar things happened in earlier strikes: the DGA takes a deal while the WGA puts their necks out to strike for a better contract. So this happening again in 2023 wasn't surprising to anyone in the industry!

Now, while the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are on strike, the directors can... twiddle their thumbs? Or hopefully join their sister unions on the picket lines even though their leadership will be twiddling their thumbs?

At least the memes are good.

[image ID: Tweet by Travon @/Travon of the spongebob meme of Squidward looking out through a barred window while Spongebob and Patrick are frolicking. The text says "DGA watching WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike together." end ID.]

[image ID: tweet from Americana At Brand Memes @/americanamemes that says "LA this summer!" attached is an image of King Ghidorah from Godzilla, a three-headed dragon: the two heads labeled WGA Striking and SAG Striking are serious, scary dragons, while the one labeled "DGA's 'historic' deal' has cross-eyes and a tongue sticking out. end ID.]

[dd-is-my-guiltypleasure]

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: (From 2nd L) Honoree David Nutter accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award in Television from David Duchovny and Nikolaj Coster-WaldauBEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: (From 2nd L) Honoree David Nutter accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award in Television from David Duchovny and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau onstage during the 76th Directors Guild of America Awards at The Beverly Hilton on February 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for DGA) onstage during the 76th Directors Guild of America Awards at The Beverly Hilton on February 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for DGA)

[unladyboss]

CHRISTOPHER STORER

I said I wouldn't bring it up again.

I did here

This is THE. LAST. TIME

That guy is CUTE!

Also congratulations on directing with your cute self.

Ok that's it.

That's it

That's really it

(Till next time)

Never again.

[thefirsthogokage]

Fuck HBO/MAX