Planet Money
The secret entrance that sidesteps Hollywood picket lines
Aug 26, 2023
Kenny Malone, a talented reporter, dives into the heart of the Hollywood labor strife where writers and actors are striking for better pay and job security. He reveals the existence of secret entrances, known as neutral gates, allowing productions to bypass picket lines. The discussion uncovers whether these gates are being misused and examines the broader implications for labor disputes across the nation. Malone intricately connects striking tactics with the historical context of labor unions, all while adding a dose of intrigue to the ongoing drama.
21:57
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Quick takeaways
- The neutral gate system in Hollywood allows non-striking production companies to enter filming lots without crossing the picket line, but it can be abused by shows cheating the system.
- By catching a writer from Young and the Restless using the neutral gate, the Writers Guild proved the gate was being abused, leading to the gate being flipped and increasing pressure on studios in the labor dispute.
Deep dives
The Writers Guild of America strike and the picketing at Television City
In May, members of the Writers Guild of America went on strike, demanding concessions from TV and film studios. They picketed at Television City, a large filming lot in Los Angeles, to disrupt business as usual. However, there was another entrance to the studio that production companies not involved in the strike could use. This neutral gate system allowed non-striking shows to enter without crossing the picket line. The picketers aimed to catch any shows cheating the system and using the neutral gate. One writer working at Young and the Restless was caught using the gate, providing evidence that it was being abused.
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