Entertainment journalists Mark Harris and Diane Haithman dive deep into Hollywood's ongoing struggles post-COVID and recent strikes. They reveal how these events have ripped through the industry's fabric, leading to declining box office performance and troubling job losses for below-the-line workers. The guests discuss the decline of blockbuster franchises, the threat posed by AI, and a shift towards lower-budget productions. Their insights illuminate the critical disconnect between creatives and studio executives and raise alarms about the future of filmmaking.
Hollywood struggles with recovery post-COVID and strikes, impacting movie production and box office growth.
Below-the-line workers face job uncertainty and economic challenges amid production contractions and industry shifts.
Deep dives
Hollywood Struggles Amid COVID Shutdowns and Strikes
After facing COVID shutdowns and writer and actor strikes, Hollywood is witnessing a slow recovery. The box office growth made last year is now threatened by a lack of movie releases, with forecasts indicating a decline compared to previous years. The impact of strikes on the industry is still felt, leading to a shortage of content and challenging times.
Impact on Entertainment Industry Workers
The entertainment industry's economic challenges are particularly harsh on below-the-line workers. These workers, like makeup artists, tech crews, and teamsters, find themselves navigating uncertain times, with a 17% drop in employment during the strikes. The uncertainty of job availability, financial security, and industry changes add stress to these workers.
Future Prospects and Shifts in Hollywood
As Hollywood grapples with production contractions and potential future strikes, the industry faces a shift towards caution and risk aversion. A move towards smaller, lower-budget productions is suggested to provide more opportunities for workers while promoting diversity in content. The challenges faced by below-the-line workers highlight the need for adaptation in an evolving entertainment landscape.
Covid and last year’s strikes delivered a one-two punch that the entertainment industry still hasn’t recovered from. Entertainment journalists Mark Harris and Diane Haithman explain why this is bad news for the people who make movies and the people who watch them.
This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh with help from Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers, and guest-hosted by David Pierce.