Today on the podcast, we talk about the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes and Post-COVID Theatre.

Summary

In this conversation, Darnelle Radford and Mitch Weiss discuss various topics related to the entertainment industry, including the challenges of running a theater company, the role of writers and the issue of plagiarism, the importance of fair compensation, the history of labor rights, the role of unions, and the impact of streaming and AI on the industry. They also touch on the ethical dilemma of supporting studios during strikes and the potential changes in the television and film industry. The conversation explores new ideas for audience engagement, the challenge of finding an audience, the uncertainty of financial success in theater, the potential of hologram technology, the slow pace of change and its implications, balancing change and tradition, and the inevitability of change.

Takeaways

The entertainment industry faces challenges related to fair compensation, working conditions, and the changing landscape of streaming and AI.

Unions play a crucial role in advocating for the rights and fair treatment of workers in the industry.

The issue of plagiarism and the borrowing of ideas is prevalent in both comedy and music.

The financial demands of writers and the need for fair compensation are important topics in negotiations.

The impact of streaming and AI on residuals and the future of the industry is a significant concern. Theater organizations need to explore new ideas and engage with different audiences to stay relevant.

Finding an audience is a challenge, and it's important to understand the changing habits and preferences of potential theatergoers.

Financial success in theater is uncertain, and blockbusters often carry the burden of supporting the industry.

Hologram technology has the potential to create unique experiences, but it may not be able to replicate the intimacy of live performances.

Change is slow, and it can have wide-ranging implications for various industries, including the arts.

Balancing change and tradition is crucial to ensure that both new and old methods can coexist.

Change is inevitable, and it's important to adapt and embrace new technologies and ideas.

The conversation highlights the ongoing strike by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, emphasizing the importance of supporting artists and advocating for fair working conditions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

02:03 The Challenges of Running a Theater Company

03:03 The Creative Process and the Role of Writers

04:06 Artificial Intelligence and Plagiarism

05:22 The Borrowed Nature of Music and Comedy

06:12 The Issue of Fair Compensation

07:11 The Debate Over Remote Work and Pay

08:08 The History of Labor Rights and Working Conditions

09:08 The Importance of Unions in the Entertainment Industry

10:07 Negotiating Strikes and the Value of Work

11:32 The Financial Demands of the Writers' Union

12:33 The Role of CEOs and Executives in Negotiations

13:29 The Purpose and Importance of Unions

14:24 The Three Key Items in Union Negotiations

15:23 The Need for Fair Compensation and Benefits

16:18 The Challenges of Being a Writer

17:12 Addressing Wage Disparities and Inflation

18:09 The High Cost of Living in Los Angeles

19:24 The Inconsistent Nature of Work in the Entertainment Industry

20:23 The Issue of Income Disparity in Nonprofit Theaters

22:23 The Need for Fair Compensation for Writers

23:29 The Changing Landscape of Television and Streaming

25:30 The Importance of Preparation and Collaboration in the Entertainment Industry

26:43 The Challenges of Filming and Reruns in the Entertainment Industry

28:35 The Ethical Dilemma of Supporting Studios During Strikes

29:33 The Potential Changes in the Television and Film Industry

30:21 The Impact of AI and Streaming on the Entertainment Industry

32:02 The Annie Rule and Negotiations in the Entertainment Industry

34:19 The Impact of Streaming on Residual Payments

37:32 The Role of Talk Shows and the Ethical Dilemma for Actors

39:33 The Potential Changes in the Television and Film Industry

42:40 Exploring New Ideas for Audience Engagement

43:29 The Challenge of Finding an Audience

44:39 The Uncertainty of Financial Success in Theater

45:24 The Potential of Hologram Technology

46:23 The Slow Pace of Change and its Implications

49:38 Balancing Change and Tradition

50:19 The Inevitability of Change

51:14 Reflecting on the Conversation

WORKING TITLE:

That’s how she became The Nanny

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REJECTED TITLES:

Barbenheimer

LINKS:

SAG-AFTRA Declares Double Strike as Actors Join Writers on Picket Lines

https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/sag-aftra-double-strike-wga-amptp-1235669492/

SAG-AFTRA ON STRIKE

https://www.sagaftrastrike.org/

WGA ON STRIKE

https://www.wgacontract2023.org/announcements/sag-aftra-strike

AMPTP

https://www.amptp.org/index.html

BARBIE MOVIE - https://www.barbie-themovie.com/

OPPENHEIMER - https://www.oppenheimermovie.com/

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