Montserrat Luna-Ballantyne finds herself walking in circles outside the NBCUniversal gate, her picket sign held high in the air. It’s a Thursday morning, and the weather is starting to warm up. Luna-Ballantyne is a striking member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), and she frequently visits NBCUniversal because it’s close to her home, and she can easily take the bus. But this morning feels slightly different, less routine than her typical three-hour shift on the picket line.
While Luna-Ballantyne walks, songs like Sixpence None the Richer’s “Kiss Me” and Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn” play on a speaker at the gate. She walks alongside another writer wearing a Xena: Warrior Princess t-shirt and another in a spaghetti strap dress. Luna-Ballantyne herself is adorned with butterfly clips, a choker, and earrings shaped like the cartoon cat Luna from Sailor Moon.
“I enjoy coming to themed pickets — it mixes it up a little bit,” she says, pausing for a moment. “We would love to be working, so anything we can do to lift the mood up a little bit really helps.”
Today’s picket is the “Back to the ’90s” themed demonstration at NBCUniversal. It’s just one of many creative and themed events that striking members of the Hollywood writers’ union have organized in an effort to boost morale and demonstrate strength and unity during the 2023 strike. These events aim to infuse a sense of humor and keep spirits high during this challenging time.
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Unlike the 2007-2008 strike, where there were some themed pickets but not as many, the 2023 strike sees a kaleidoscope of events dedicated to various pop culture touchstones and issues close to the hearts of writers. From a Beyoncé-themed demonstration to an ’80s Dolly Parton celebration and an emo-themed picket, striking writers are using their creativity and passion to make a statement.
The process of organizing these themed events has become streamlined during the course of the strike. Members or non-members come up with ideas and present them to the lot coordinators at the studio or streamer strike location where they want to hold the event. Once the organizer fills out the WGA’s “special picket notification form” and gets approval from the lot coordinator, the event is added to the union’s special pickets calendar. Social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter help spread the word quickly.
These themed events not only serve to boost morale but also draw solidarity from other WGA members. Becky Wangberg, a member of The Animation Guild, explains, “There’s incentive enough, but it does help that. It makes it fun.”
While many of the events have a lighthearted theme or involve reunions, some also raise awareness for more serious issues. For example, the union’s Trans/Gender Non-Conforming Writers Subcommittee organized a “Trans Takeover” event at Netflix to advocate for the hiring of more trans writers for trans storylines. This event attracted hundreds and served as a powerful statement.
Logistical challenges can arise when certain themed pickets become very popular. Lot coordinators find it difficult to staff all the gates they want to man during well-attended events. However, the lack of crowds at certain locations can be appealing to writers who are naturally introverted and prefer less busy environments.
As the strike continues, the themed pickets serve as a creative outlet for writers who have been unable to pursue their craft during this work stoppage. Judalina Neira, an executive producer of “The Boys,” explains that TV is a communal creative force, and these events are an extension of that. They allow writers to bounce ideas off each other and bring that same energy to the picket line.
Although the strike has entered its tenth week and there is still no end in sight, these themed pickets provide a fresh way to approach each day. Luna-Ballantyne acknowledges that as the weather gets warmer, picketing will become more challenging, so it’s essential to keep things fresh and engaging.
The 2023 strike has been defined by these themed events that demonstrate the unity, strength, and creativity of the striking writers. Whether it’s through pop culture references or raising awareness for important issues, these demonstrations serve as a testament to the resilience and unwavering spirit of the WGA members.
