Strike Support Declining - Here's how you can continue to support the writers

Since the WGA strike started on May 2, the public has shown immense support for the writers—sending food, snacks, drinks, and encouragement from across the world all the way to Los Angeles, New York, and other picketing locations.

But loud and vocal strike support—in the news and in public spaces—is notably declining the longer the strike goes on. So we're bringing you a few ways to show writers, studios, and fellow fans: we're still here, and we still stand with the WGA.

1. Post on Twitter (and other social media sites)

You might think social media noise won't be noticed by the studios, but it CAN encourage individual WGA members—and slowly but surely put pressure on the studios to make a fair deal.

If you follow WGA members such as Adam Conover (Adam Ruins Everything), John Rogers (Leverage, Librarians), Gennifer Hutchison (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul), Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost, The Witcher) [and many many more you can find through their following lists], tell them you support them! Hashtag #IStandWithTheWGA #DoTheWriteThing and tell them that you and your fandom are prepared to support them as long as the strike lasts; that they deserve to have their demands met and you're with them all the way. Boost morale however and whenever you can!

Likewise, actively push back against misinformation/disinformation. See a TikTok claiming that all Hollywood writers are filthy rich and we shouldn't vocally support them? Correct it with well-sourced citations from the WGA, published news articles, and stories from those affected (like the time a writer on FX's The Bear attended the an awards show with his bank account balance in the negative, only to then win an award for Best Comedy Series—proving that good writers on award-winning shows still cannot make a living!)

Remember you can always link to Adam Conover's excellent explanation of WGA demands versus studio refusals, tweeted here.

2. Donate or boost fundraisers

You might be surprised to learn that the picketing locations are not always parties! Sometimes themed pickets are fun, and fandoms and celebrities occasionally are able to fundraise for a food truck or ice cream truck at picketing locations. However, that is the EXCEPTION and not the norm. Writers are asking for food & drinks at many locations.

There are many funds to donate to, and it can be overwhelming to pick one! But one that could use your support RIGHT NOW is the CBS Radford picket line:

-If you're in LA, you can bring food and snacks directly to that picket line (or get food deliveries sent there, with instructions to be given to the strike captain on duty.) Strike locations are available on the WGA West website and are updated there.

-Or there's a pizza fund for the strike locations (unfortunately Venmo is a US-only donation option)

-If you're not in LA, donate to the Entertainment Community Fund to support TV and film workers affected by the strike.

-More tips on donating to the strike in this great article!

-Lots of fandoms are organizing donations on their own, for instance the Our Flag Means Death fundraiser on Paypal (available internationally). Check to see if your fandom has started a fundraiser... or start one yourself to show your support! We're happy to give tips on organizing your fandom!

As always, please boost this post and any and all well-sourced information that comes from the WGA or its members. We're happy to fact-check anything you send our way too.

Jess Morse of the above pizza fame also retweeted Venmo links for lot coordinators Neil McNeil (Venmo: @ Neil-McNeil) at Paramount and Danny Tolli at Netflix who would love any donations to buy supplies (especially with the heat coming in)

Thanks for the addition! This is a great way to donate directly to the picket lines.

that new Netflix show looks cool and all, but isn’t the writer’s strike still going?

For clarification, yes, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) is still on strike (60+ days and counting!) and there's no end in sight yet. However, TV shows and films that are releasing now were in the can long before the strike started: this isn't the work of scabs but of WGA members working before a strike was called.

Additionally, there is no current official call for a boycott from the WGA. Some individual WGA members have encouraged people to cancel their streaming subscriptions with a note saying this is in support of writers, but this isn't official, and it's unlikely a small handful of people canceling will make a dent in the studios' bottom line. What will make a difference is the TV/film pipeline drying up this fall, or the actors' guild (SAG-AFTRA) going on strike, which would completely shut down all production.

For now, continue your normal viewing habits. (If viewership declines sharply, the studios may use it as an excuse to cancel and remove many more films/shows from their sites as a tax write-down.) If the WGA does call for a boycott in the future, you still want to have the leverage of canceling then.

#Shows being removed as tax write offs have already happened#see: Star Trek Prodigy and other paramount shows

@sarnakhwritesthings Absolutely, which is something fans and audiences should take a strong stance against right now. (See also: Willow, The Mysterious Benedict Society, the Batgirl film, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, etc.)

It's unlikely the WGA could retroactively apply rules about this tax write-down phenomenon to the current contract negotiation, but it's potentially something for future negotiations (or even individual contracts between writers/directors and studios.) In the meantime, audiences should be vocal about our frustration so studios understand they can't do this without backlash.

that new Netflix show looks cool and all, but isn’t the writer’s strike still going?

For clarification, yes, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) is still on strike (60+ days and counting!) and there's no end in sight yet. However, TV shows and films that are releasing now were in the can long before the strike started: this isn't the work of scabs but of WGA members working before a strike was called.

Additionally, there is no current official call for a boycott from the WGA. Some individual WGA members have encouraged people to cancel their streaming subscriptions with a note saying this is in support of writers, but this isn't official, and it's unlikely a small handful of people canceling will make a dent in the studios' bottom line. What will make a difference is the TV/film pipeline drying up this fall, or the actors' guild (SAG-AFTRA) going on strike, which would completely shut down all production.

For now, continue your normal viewing habits. (If viewership declines sharply, the studios may use it as an excuse to cancel and remove many more films/shows from their sites as a tax write-down.) If the WGA does call for a boycott in the future, you still want to have the leverage of canceling then.

Strike Support Declining - Here's how you can continue to support the writers

Since the WGA strike started on May 2, the public has shown immense support for the writers—sending food, snacks, drinks, and encouragement from across the world all the way to Los Angeles, New York, and other picketing locations.

But loud and vocal strike support—in the news and in public spaces—is notably declining the longer the strike goes on. So we're bringing you a few ways to show writers, studios, and fellow fans: we're still here, and we still stand with the WGA.

1. Post on Twitter (and other social media sites)

You might think social media noise won't be noticed by the studios, but it CAN encourage individual WGA members—and slowly but surely put pressure on the studios to make a fair deal.

If you follow WGA members such as Adam Conover (Adam Ruins Everything), John Rogers (Leverage, Librarians), Gennifer Hutchison (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul), Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost, The Witcher) [and many many more you can find through their following lists], tell them you support them! Hashtag #IStandWithTheWGA #DoTheWriteThing and tell them that you and your fandom are prepared to support them as long as the strike lasts; that they deserve to have their demands met and you're with them all the way. Boost morale however and whenever you can!

Likewise, actively push back against misinformation/disinformation. See a TikTok claiming that all Hollywood writers are filthy rich and we shouldn't vocally support them? Correct it with well-sourced citations from the WGA, published news articles, and stories from those affected (like the time a writer on FX's The Bear attended the an awards show with his bank account balance in the negative, only to then win an award for Best Comedy Series—proving that good writers on award-winning shows still cannot make a living!)

Remember you can always link to Adam Conover's excellent explanation of WGA demands versus studio refusals, tweeted here.

2. Donate or boost fundraisers

You might be surprised to learn that the picketing locations are not always parties! Sometimes themed pickets are fun, and fandoms and celebrities occasionally are able to fundraise for a food truck or ice cream truck at picketing locations. However, that is the EXCEPTION and not the norm. Writers are asking for food & drinks at many locations.

There are many funds to donate to, and it can be overwhelming to pick one! But one that could use your support RIGHT NOW is the CBS Radford picket line:

-If you're in LA, you can bring food and snacks directly to that picket line (or get food deliveries sent there, with instructions to be given to the strike captain on duty.) Strike locations are available on the WGA West website and are updated there.

-Or there's a pizza fund for the strike locations (unfortunately Venmo is a US-only donation option)

-If you're not in LA, donate to the Entertainment Community Fund to support TV and film workers affected by the strike.

-More tips on donating to the strike in this great article!

-Lots of fandoms are organizing donations on their own, for instance the Our Flag Means Death fundraiser on Paypal (available internationally). Check to see if your fandom has started a fundraiser... or start one yourself to show your support! We're happy to give tips on organizing your fandom!

As always, please boost this post and any and all well-sourced information that comes from the WGA or its members. We're happy to fact-check anything you send our way too.

All this

Well except prob the twitter part since nobody will be able to see it. 🙄

Isn't it great timing that we posted this just as Twitter goes kaput? Anyway... we'll keep having resources over here on our Tumblr. (And please let us know if any linked tweets are broken and we'll update them ASAP.)

Strike Support Declining - Here's how you can continue to support the writers

Since the WGA strike started on May 2, the public has shown immense support for the writers—sending food, snacks, drinks, and encouragement from across the world all the way to Los Angeles, New York, and other picketing locations.

But loud and vocal strike support—in the news and in public spaces—is notably declining the longer the strike goes on. So we're bringing you a few ways to show writers, studios, and fellow fans: we're still here, and we still stand with the WGA.

1. Post on Twitter (and other social media sites)

You might think social media noise won't be noticed by the studios, but it CAN encourage individual WGA members—and slowly but surely put pressure on the studios to make a fair deal.

If you follow WGA members such as Adam Conover (Adam Ruins Everything), John Rogers (Leverage, Librarians), Gennifer Hutchison (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul), Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost, The Witcher) [and many many more you can find through their following lists], tell them you support them! Hashtag #IStandWithTheWGA #DoTheWriteThing and tell them that you and your fandom are prepared to support them as long as the strike lasts; that they deserve to have their demands met and you're with them all the way. Boost morale however and whenever you can!

Likewise, actively push back against misinformation/disinformation. See a TikTok claiming that all Hollywood writers are filthy rich and we shouldn't vocally support them? Correct it with well-sourced citations from the WGA, published news articles, and stories from those affected (like the time a writer on FX's The Bear attended the an awards show with his bank account balance in the negative, only to then win an award for Best Comedy Series—proving that good writers on award-winning shows still cannot make a living!)

Remember you can always link to Adam Conover's excellent explanation of WGA demands versus studio refusals, tweeted here.

2. Donate or boost fundraisers

You might be surprised to learn that the picketing locations are not always parties! Sometimes themed pickets are fun, and fandoms and celebrities occasionally are able to fundraise for a food truck or ice cream truck at picketing locations. However, that is the EXCEPTION and not the norm. Writers are asking for food & drinks at many locations.

There are many funds to donate to, and it can be overwhelming to pick one! But one that could use your support RIGHT NOW is the CBS Radford picket line:

-If you're in LA, you can bring food and snacks directly to that picket line (or get food deliveries sent there, with instructions to be given to the strike captain on duty.) Strike locations are available on the WGA West website and are updated there.

-Or there's a pizza fund for the strike locations (unfortunately Venmo is a US-only donation option)

-If you're not in LA, donate to the Entertainment Community Fund to support TV and film workers affected by the strike.

-More tips on donating to the strike in this great article!

-Lots of fandoms are organizing donations on their own, for instance the Our Flag Means Death fundraiser on Paypal (available internationally). Check to see if your fandom has started a fundraiser... or start one yourself to show your support! We're happy to give tips on organizing your fandom!

As always, please boost this post and any and all well-sourced information that comes from the WGA or its members. We're happy to fact-check anything you send our way too.

There are a couple of fund people for Star Trek writers on Twitter- check out @clairewillett for some good options! Anything not used for ST writers gets spread around to help whoever needs it on the lines.

Here's Claire's Twitter for more info on the Star Trek snack squad! (She's out of office this week & account is locked, but check back later to join.)

In the meantime, she did a great round-up thread of other ways to donate. Since her account is temporarily locked I'll list some relevant links below.

WGA Strike - Support with Supplies (Target wishlist from WGA members)

Entertainment Community Fund (for anyone in the industry affected by the strike, not just writers!)

Inevitable Foundation emergency relief fund (for disabled writers)

Green Envelope Grocery Fund (mutual aid directly to writers & support staff)

CALLING ALL BONEHEADS !!!

ARE YOU GOING TO BE IN LA?

COME OUT AND SUPPORT OUR FAVOURITE WRITERS?

Tweet from our illustrious boss Hart Hanson:

"There’s going to be a BONES picket line at Fox Studios on Friday, July 7. Did you write for Bones? We’re you cast? Crew? Did you watch? Come on by! There may be snacks and unavoidable outbursts of musical theater numbers." x

Signal boosting! These themed events are a great way to re-energize both the striking WGA members and the public. If you are joining the picket lines, please remember to listen to strike captains, be respectful towards others (even if you see someone famous, remember this is a strike, not a fan convention, so respect boundaries,) and clean up any trash when you're done.

Our Flag Means Strike Snack Squad

You may have seen the OFMD fandom organizing to donate snacks & meals to the WGA picket lines earlier in May-June. Now there's a brand-new version of that snack squad fund for you to boost and donate! No need to be on Twitter for this one.

Boosting! As of June 29, they're at $1,930 out of a $5,000 goal. This will enable the squad to continue bringing snacks and drinks to striking writers picketing in the sun! If you can't donate, please boost.

Does anyone have an update on where things are at with the writers strike? It's disappeared from my various feeds and algorithms.

The writers' strike is ongoing and the studios are still not returning to the negotiating table. Unfortunately a lot of the coverage has tapered off because we're on 50+ days of striking and it's not new anymore. The last strike in 2007 lasted 100 days, so don't be surprised if this strike lasts as long, or even longer.

The biggest recent news is that the Directors' Guild of America (DGA) voted to ratify their new agreement with the studios (article from June 23), and it appears likely that the actors' guild (SAG-AFTRA) will also take a deal instead of striking (article from June 24). Although this is disappointing news, it's completely expected. During previous strikes, the WGA held its own without other unions going on strike. Which is to say—don't be disheartened by the news that there won't be a triple strike. The WGA is strong enough!

Please keep vocally supporting the WGA online to keep the pressure on the studios & to keep WGA members motivated and encouraged! There are many ongoing donation drives, such as the Star Trek fan snack squad (Twitter account required to DM the organizer) and the Our Flag Means Death snack squad (opens the PayPal fundraising page—no Twitter required). There's a longer list of ongoing donation drives here.

The Entertainment Community Fund is also always accepting donations to support entertainment workers affected by the strike. Please boost and encourage your friends to keep supporting the strike. Hashtag #IStandWithTheWGA #DoTheWriteThing to boost the cause!

It's sad to see the DGA go the way they went. SAG-AFTRA are still, I think, waving in the wind.

But for the WGA, this strike is currently at (borrowing a metaphor) Helm's Deep. We have to take the stand that will allow us to—in a month or two, or three (argh), when shit starts to get serious at the AMPTP's end—roll up in front of Minas Tirith and let the other side hear the horns in the morning.

They think they're going to successfully wait us out. They are now slowly (so slowly) beginning to realize that we're waiting them out. Writers are USED to one form or another of the Great Hiatus. They're not. Their stockholders are going to get restive.

We can wait, though it hurts. It's what writers do.

Hey Tumblr, does anyone know of any UK equivalent of or ways to support the WGA strike in the US? I'm a University art student. I have always loved writing and have masses of respect for screenwriters, authors, etc. The UK government seems fond of progressing AI but there doesn't seem to be much protest or noise in the creative community over here. Are there opportunities/petitions/organisations that are combating the lack of respect for working artists in the various industries? I'm aspiring to work in film production design but obviously there's a fight now to keep those jobs intact.

The Writers' Guild of Great Britain has stood in solidarity with the WGA during the strike and might have some resources re: other guilds/unions in film. They also had a solidarity protest in June. Any of our followers more familiar with the UK and have any tips?

Small Thread From James C. Oliver (Agents of SHIELD) on why large writers rooms are good, actually

[Image ID: Four tweets from James C. Oliver from June 13th, 2023 that read:

Supposedly two of the biggest challenges facing the streamers are subscriber churn and ballooning episodic budgets.

Both problems are solved by a large writing staff.

#WGAStrong 1/4

If a series is dropping new episodes throughout the year, consumers are less likely to unsubscribe because they want to keep up with "their show."

One person can't write a full length season alone, especially with other showrunner duties. They need a deep bench of #writers. 2/4

Another perk of longer seasons is you can amortize costs over more than 6-8 episodes.

And experienced writer/producers know how to come up with compelling stories while sticking to a budget. 3/4

So while it's understandable that tensions are running high during the #WGAStrike, it's important to remember that what we're asking for will help make these streamers a lot of money.

We want to make them rich, and we want a fair share of the profits.

4/4

/End ID]

congrats to ups for voting to authorize a strike if no deal is reached!!!

Solidarity always!