Katey Rich, an awards expert and journalist known for her Oscar predictions, joins the discussion on Hollywood's evolving landscape. They tackle the alarming rise of 'if-come' deals that leave writers unpaid unless their projects sell, creating a new era of 'involuntary servitude.' Katey shares insights into the recent Oscar nominations, adds excitement around Sundance, and reflects on Netflix's subscriber boom. The conversation reveals a troubling trend of unpaid work in an increasingly competitive industry.
The rise of 'If-come' deals is forcing writers to undertake extensive development work without guaranteed compensation, reflecting a troubling trend in Hollywood.
Debates around Oscar nominations highlight the ongoing tensions between commercial success and artistic representation within the film industry.
Deep dives
Netflix's Subscriber Growth and Strategy
Netflix recorded significant subscriber growth, adding nearly 19 million subscribers in Q4, marking the largest quarterly increase in its history. This growth surpasses previous records, emphasizing their market dominance despite recent price hikes, with plans for a $25 monthly tier. Reports suggest that special events, such as NFL games and high-profile boxing matches, contributed to this surge, demonstrating the effectiveness of live content in attracting viewers. The company's shift toward focusing on strategic viewer engagement rather than just subscriber counts has raised questions about how other streaming services can compete.
Oscar Nominations and Industry Reactions
The recent Oscar nominations sparked discussions about the Academy's voting trends and the representation of diverse films. Notably, films like 'Emilia Perez' received a record number of nominations for Netflix, fueling debates about their breakthrough in prestigious categories. However, some filmmakers expressed frustration about significant snubs, particularly for films like 'The Piano Lesson,' indicating an ongoing scrutiny of how the Academy recognizes talent and diverse storytelling. These conversations highlight the tension between commercial success and artistic merit within the Hollywood awards landscape.
Impact of IfCom Deals on Writers
An emerging trend in Hollywood involves IfCom deals, which have shifted the risk onto writers by offering payment only if their projects sell. Traditionally, writers would receive upfront payments for their pitches, but now many are finding themselves required to deliver extensive development work without guaranteed compensation. This situation reflects the industry's increasing cost-cutting measures, which are pushing even established writers to accept deals that were once considered unacceptable. Conversations around these practices emphasize the challenges faced by writers as they navigate the high-stakes landscape of content creation.
The Changing Landscape of Unscripted Television
The unscripted television market is experiencing a shake-up, with studios adopting a more conservative approach to content development amidst growing competition from streaming services. The leaving of key executives, such as NBCU's unscripted head, highlights the industry's volatility and search for innovative formats. Show formats are evolving, with demand for true crime stories and recognizable IP leading the way; however, there's a growing interest in fresh, unique formats as successful shows break through. This shift indicates that, although relying on established narratives remains common, the appetite for originality in unscripted content is beginning to resurface.
Who loves doing free work? No one. Who loves getting free work? The studios. “If-come” deals — where a writer develops a show under contract but only sees money if the show sells — are on the rise post-Writers Guild strike and have led to a new “involuntary servitude,” even among big-name scribes. Ashley Cullins joins Sean McNulty, Elaine Low and Richard Rushfield to outline what’s happening and who’s fighting back. Plus: Katey Rich breaks down Oscar nominations, and Elaine shares the state of the unscripted market.