As the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike continues to loom over Hollywood, the Canadian film and TV industry is closely monitoring the situation, as it could have ripple effects north of the border. With many film studios in Canada currently empty or being used for local productions, local talent and crews who rely on big budget U.S. film and TV series for work are questioning when they will be able to return to set. This uncertainty has led to anxieties within the industry, especially as labor negotiations in Los Angeles approach their June 30 deadline.
Christine Rodriguez, a Montreal-based screenwriter of Productions La Tigresse, is keeping a close eye on the labor negotiations in Los Angeles. She believes that what the WGA does will have an impact on the industry in Canada. Rodriguez emphasizes the need for fair compensation for writers, particularly when it comes to streaming platforms. As she develops her upcoming film projects, she hopes for an adjustment in the industry that benefits writers.
Elizabeth Yakes, a veteran indie film producer of True West Films, agrees that labor issues cannot be ignored this time around. She believes that the studios need to listen and address the concerns raised by the unions. Yakes points to the transparency surrounding the issue, as everyone is aware of the numbers and can see how it affects major media conglomerates’ stock prices. She is currently developing a comedy called Trauma Bonding and hopes for a fair resolution to the labor negotiations.
Despite concerns within the industry, some studio operators feel that they are being held hostage by the ongoing strike. Paul Bronfman, chairman and CEO of studio operator Comweb Corp., emphasizes that companies like his suffer the most during strikes. They bear the burden of high overhead costs, including staff, capital, and studio maintenance, and feel the impact of strikes on a larger scale than just writers and actors. Bronfman believes that strikes affect thousands of people who are not directly involved in the negotiations.
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The negotiations taking place between Hollywood unions and guilds and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have a direct impact on the Canadian industry. As Canada increasingly becomes a backlot for major studios and streamers, the futures of local talent and crews are in the hands of American producers and unions. The potential for a SAG-AFTRA strike after contract talks extend into July has caused concerns among Wall Street investors, who may hesitate to invest in the Canadian production industry.
Private equity funds and real estate investors who were once attracted to building new studios in Canada due to the high demand for original content by major studios and streamers are now uncertain about their investments. The ongoing pandemic and labor climate in Los Angeles have left investors hesitant about putting more money into the industry. This hesitancy could have a negative impact on the Canadian production sector, making it harder to attract young people to fill technical crew positions.
Major Hollywood studios and streamers, which previously filled soundstages in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, have seen their productions come to a halt. American series like The Handmaid’s Tale, Reacher, The Umbrella Academy, Accused, and Ginny & Georgia have been put on pause due to the strike. This has left smaller budget Canadian projects to continue shooting while bigger budget productions remain idle.
Smaller Canadian content creators are also feeling the effects of the strike. Mary Darling, CEO and co-owner of WestWind Pictures, recently sold six seasons of the Canadian comedy Little Mosque on the Prairies to Disney+. While the strike is in place, Darling is focusing on developing projects that don’t require collaboration with American partners. She believes that the strike will eventually end, and when it does, she wants to be prepared to present her pitch decks to studio and streamer executives.
Despite the challenges, Canadian content creators see an opportunity to provide a safety net during the Hollywood strike. Adam Rodness, co-founder and president of Toronto-based 5’7″ Films, has renewed a film slate deal with local broadcaster Hollywood Suite. Producing indie films has become a priority for Rodness, as he believes that both Canadian and American audiences will be looking to the Canadian sector for programming. He remains optimistic about the future, especially as his upcoming movie Vandits is set to be released stateside.
In conclusion, the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike has cast a shadow over the Canadian film and TV industry. As film studios in Canada remain dark or filled with local productions, the uncertainty surrounding the strike has left talent and crews anxious about their future. The ripple effects of the strike are being closely monitored, and industry professionals are hoping for a fair resolution to the labor negotiations to ensure the continued growth of the Canadian production sector.
