Exploration of Hollywood's struggles post-COVID and strikes, affecting movie makers and viewers. Discussion on CEO salaries, AI impact, and impending consequences of ongoing strikes. Unconventional movies shaping industry via unique distribution methods. Strikes' impact on below-the-line workers and looming IOTC strike. Challenges for middle-class roles, non-union work, streaming service influence, and writer compensation instability.
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.