What Are Writers Doing During the Strike?

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As a newly minted member of the WGA, I find myself in a unique and intriguing situation, having joined in May 2023, the same month the strike commenced. My career was on the rise, having been listed in the Black List in 2022, and securing both a TV show and a movie in 2023, which paved the way for my membership in the guild. However, this also means I am experiencing my first-ever strike as an adult.

From the moment the strike began, I was out on the picket lines, even before my WGA card had arrived. It was an exhilarating experience to swipe my card for the first time on my birthday, adding to the significance of the moment. Yet, despite the excitement, strikes can’t help but stir up worries and “what-ifs” in my mind. I wonder if all the momentum I had built will go to waste, if I won’t find work until 2024, or if the industry will forget about me entirely.

In times of anxiety, I’ve discovered immense comfort in standing alongside seasoned writers who openly discuss similar concerns and lend an ear to my worries. It’s been a place where I’ve formed meaningful connections and made new friends. The supportive members of the neg-com have done a remarkable job explaining the guild’s perspective and maintaining high spirits among the strikers.

Maintaining our spirits is essential, which is why I find myself picketing three to four times a week. However, there’s a lot more time on my hands now. I engage in pickleball with friends from SAG and other WGA members who also have ample free time during the strike. I’ve embraced going to the gym, a newfound pleasure after living a more sedentary lifestyle during COVID.

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My apartment has never been cleaner, and I have the time to keep it that way. In terms of my writing career, I’m not pitching, meeting with executives, or continuing any pre-strike projects. Instead, I’m channeling my energy into writing spec scripts and pursuing passion projects that might not be as commercially driven as my previous work but fulfill creative itches I had set aside in the past.

While I’m unsure if these projects will be showcased to others once the strike concludes, they serve as a reminder of what we are fighting for and why our determination is worth the effort.

They serve as a poignant reminder that as writers in Hollywood, we bear a crucial responsibility to tell stories. Through the tips of our pens and the touch of our keys, we wield the power to create the most pervasive and impactful art form of our time. Our narratives teach valuable lessons, spark laughter, evoke profound emotions, and captivate audiences worldwide.

The strike lines have become our battleground because it often feels like some individuals at the helm of this industry on the business side are attempting to undermine the essence of our craft. They seem determined to prioritize commerce over art, seeking to replace the genuine expression of voices with profit-driven ventures.

In these times, the success of shows like Barbie and Oppenheimer, which embrace unique perspectives, demonstrates that Hollywood must place greater trust in diverse voices.

Artificial Intelligence may reproduce familiar tropes and clichéd storylines, but it can never replace the essence of the human spirit and the profound intellect inherent in genuine storytelling.

I take immense pride in walking the picket lines, standing up to protect the sanctity of our craft for as long as necessary. I invite you to join me, strike alongside me, and let’s have meaningful conversations about our passion for storytelling.

And if the strike lines aren’t the place to meet, then you’ll find me on the pickleball court. But be warned—I won’t take it easy on you there either.

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