The writer’s strike of 2007-2008 lasted 99 days. Because of the strike, television programs were forced into early season endings (Scrubs never recovered) or were forced to be cancelled (Pushing Daisies never came back), and the industry was never the same.
One of the issues during that strike revolved around DVD residuals, and what the writers weren’t getting. For all of you that don’t know what a DVD is, it’s a like a CD that plays movies. And for those that don’t know what CDs are, they are like DVDs that play music. Hope that clears things up.
As the strike ended, the writers got a new contract, but there were no changes to the DVD residuals that they were receiving.
Fast forward to 2023, and we are right back in the same place. Only this time the writers and actors are both on the picket line as they are fighting yet another technology…AI. More specifically, they are fighting to keep the writing and acting done by humans and not done by AI. On top of that, they are looking to get more pay for working on streaming services.
Sounds all too familiar.
While this strike might not have as much of an impact on produced programming since it feels like streaming services have show after show already produced and ready to go, it does feel a little different in what writers and actors probably won’t get.
DVDs always seemed to be a flash in the pan when it came to technology. As quickly as we were given Blu-Ray, that’s how quickly we were getting into streaming. And it just doesn’t seem like streaming is going to be replace anytime soon.
The real worry seems to be the inclusion of AI into our everyday lives. If anyone has used ChatGPT over the last few months (cause if you haven’t, you’re missing out!) you will see that the service can pretty much write you anything that you want. Sure, it might only be like 79% correct, but it gets it done, fast and efficient. More than that, it’s done on the cheap.
But is AI really the answer? For years we’ve been given paint by numbers tv shows and blockbuster movies, but few and far-in-between quality views.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to watch the first season of Scrubs on DVD while listening to a mix CD I made in 2003.
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