As the strike by Hollywood screenwriters enters its third week, there is a glimmer of hope for a resolution before the end of the month, with both sides agreeing on a date to return to formal talks.
The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have announced they will return to the table on Nov. 26 — the Monday following the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
However, the writers will continue with planned strike actions, including picketing in New York and Los Angeles, as well as a large march down Hollywood Boulevard on Tuesday, union officials said.
Screenwriters from Canada and around the world are also planning an international day of solidarity to show support for their U.S. colleagues on Nov. 28.
The guild had previously announced that writers would take a break from the picket lines for the holiday weekend, beginning Wednesday and lasting through Sunday.
Talks between the guild and the producers broke off Nov. 4, with the more than 10,000 members of the screenwriters guild taking up picket signs on both coasts of the U.S. the following day.
According to industry trade publication Hollywood Reporter, a number of individuals have been working behind the scenes in an attempt to bring both sides back to the table, including California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a former actor, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Bryan Lourd, a partner of top talent firm Creative Artists Agency.
The divisive issue in the contentious contract negotiation has been the model for compensating writers when their work is reused on newer technological formats, including DVDs, cellphones and the internet.
After filming their last few completed scripts, a host of TV sitcoms and dramas have closed down production, following in the footsteps of late-night talk shows, which shut down immediately after the strike began.
The strike's effect has also began to spread to movies, with Sony announcing a delay in the production of Angels and Demons, another film inspired by a book from Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown, and moving the upcoming film's release date to May 2009 instead of December 2008.
Related
More TV Headlines »
- Patriots game to make U.S. broadcasting history
- The New England Patriots' shot at a historic 16-0 mark will be broadcast Saturday night on American networks CBS, NBC and the NFL Network, the league announced on Wednesday.
- Dr. McDreamy Dempsey named Star of the Year by People magazine
- It's a McDreamy year for actor Patrick Dempsey, anointed People magazine's "Star of the Year."
- Sacha Baron Cohen bids Borat, Ali G goodbye
- British comic actor Sacha Baron Cohen is bidding farewell to the two alter egos that brought him international success: the dim-witted hip hop interviewer Ali G and uncouth reporter Borat.
- Stewart, Colbert join returning late-night hosts despite strike
- The popular political satire of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert is heading back to the tube in January, joining other late-night programming returning to the air despite the film and TV writers' strike.
- Libraries urge Ottawa to consider consumers in drafting copyright law
- The Canadian Library Association is wading into the debate about copyright with a warning to Ottawa not to forget the rights of consumers.
More Arts Headlines »
- Canadian jazz great Oscar Peterson dies
- The jazz odyssey is over for Oscar Peterson: the Canadian known globally as one of the most spectacularly talented musicians ever to play jazz piano has died at age 82.
- Tributes pour in for 'giant in music' Peterson
- Tributes are pouring in for Canadian jazz musician Oscar Peterson, who died Sunday at age 82.
- Broadway, Hollywood choreographer Michael Kidd dies
- American choreographer Michael Kidd, who created dance for the stage musical Finian's Rainbow and the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, has died.
- German avant-garde composer Hans Otte dies
- German avant-garde composer and pianist Hans Otte has died, his former employer Radio Bremen said Wednesday. He was 81.
- Bangladesh cancels Paris exhibit after statues stolen
- Bangladesh has cancelled a cultural exhibition in Paris after centuries-old artifacts were stolen en route to France.
Arts Features
Blog Watch
Most Blogged about CBC.ca Articles