🎬 What’s ACTUALLY In The Contract? 👀

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Whether you're a seasoned subscriber or a new arrival, we're thrilled to have you here. Twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, we'll deliver the most important industry scoops directly to your inbox.

🎞 Here’s what’s on the reel today:

• Closeup: Unpacking WGA and AMPTP’s Tentative Agreement

• Streaming Titans Team Up

• CAA’s Acquisition Drama

• SAG vs. Video Game Titans

• Last Looks 👀: Bite-sized scoops on developing stories/projects

• Release Radar: What to watch this weekend

• Video Village 📀

• Martini Shot 🍸

But first, it’s Thursday, so let’s take a look at what people were watching this week… 👀

What’s In The Contract?
Unpacking WGA and the AMPTP’s Tentative Agreement

After 148 long days, the writers strike came to a close yesterday at 12:01 am PT. The WGA peeps finally got the green light to hop back into their creative chairs, thanks to a late Sunday night agreement with AMPTP. 🚦

As for the buzz? The WGA's stamping the deal as 'exceptional,' and Hollywood’s wallet is feeling the good vibes – stocks for movie theaters and studios saw a lift following the news that a tentative deal had been reached. 📈 Even big shots like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, LA's Mayor Karen Bass, and President Biden chimed in to applaud the resolution of the strike.

So What’s In The Contract?

Let’s break down some of the key points of the deal, per WGA’s own summary:

Pay and Residuals 📝:

• High-budget streaming content writers ($30 million+): 18% salary hike and a 26% rise in base residuals.

• Screenplay writers will get speedier payments.

• TV series adjustments:

  • Staff writers: 5% weekly pay bump.

  • Certain editors: 3.5% to 4% more.

• "Success-based" residuals: Potential $40,500 bonus for top-performing big-budget streaming features post-2024.

• Transparent streaming data: WGA gets inside look at confidential viewership stats.

Artificial Intelligence 🤖:

• AI can't "write or rewrite" content.

• Writers can use AI with company permission.

• Writers must know if they're given AI-generated materials.

• WGA may prohibit AI training with writers’ materials.

Benefits 🩺:

• Studios and streamers increase contributions by 0.5 percentage points (to 12%) from year two.

• Grouped writers: Higher pension and health contributions, even with shared fees.

Staffing ✍️:

• Shows must employ a specified minimum number of writers.

• Employment duration will be guaranteed for a period of time based on season length.

Find the full tentative agreement 👉 here 👈.

What's Next? 

The WGA's ready to return, but the ink's not dry yet. From Oct. 2 to Oct. 9, WGA members will cast their votes. 🗳️

TV writers are prepping to dive back into daytime and late-night talk shows, with ‘Real Time With Bill Maher’ making a comeback this Friday. On the flip side, the film realm remains a tad uncertain due to pending SAG-AFTRA discussions.

In the coming weeks, we can expect several new projects to be announced. Studios are gearing up to resume production on shows such as ‘White Lotus,’ ‘Stranger Things,’ and ‘House of the Dragon.’ Additionally, some suspended overall and first-look deals are being reinstated. There's even buzz about a potential reboot of ‘The Office.’ 👀

What About SAG?

SAG-AFTRA is gearing up for their own negotiations. SAG and the AMPTP are planning to meet this coming Monday, Oct. 2nd. 🎬✨ SAG reports that “several executives from AMPTP member companies will be in attendance.”

With eyes now turning to the striking actors, many writers continue to show solidarity, with “WGA supports SAG” picket signs being prepared. Don't forget, they've been on strike since mid-July, alongside the WGA. Now, they've set their sights on the video game industry as well! Here's hoping for some progress in next week's meetings! 🤞

Streaming Titans Team Up in DC! 🎬🤝 In a significant move for the entertainment industry, major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney, Max, Paramount+, and Comcast's Peacock have collaborated to establish the "Streaming Innovation Alliance," or SIA for short. Who’s missing? Amazon and Apple, although insiders hint that they're welcome to join the party. The underlying purpose of this coalition? To shield the streaming industry from potential legislative challenges, such as attempts by certain states to introduce a "Netflix tax" and to prevent them from being grouped with other video streaming entities like YouTube and TikTok in any upcoming broad legislation. They believe that streaming is a boon for diversity, offering value to us viewers, and must be protected as such. The landscape of digital entertainment is shifting, and this alliance seems poised to play a significant role in shaping its future.

CAA's Acquisition Drama: Agents Eyeing Bigger Paydays 🎬💰 The Creative Artists Agency (CAA), one of Hollywood's titans, is in the spotlight as it's being scooped up by Artemis, a luxe French holding company, with a hefty price tag of $7 billion. But here's the plot twist: many CAA insiders, who've been compensated with the agency's stock, are eager for their payday. Sources like The Daily Beast and The Ankler hint that, while potentially pocketing a cool $200 million themselves, the CAA execs are only offering just a 10% stock cashout to other staff members. 😡They’re pissed, to say the least. Top agent Todd Feldman, among others, is gearing up for some negotiations so they can see more reward from this big acquisition.

SAG-AFTRA vs. Video Game Titans 🎮🌟 In a decisive move, SAG-AFTRA members have overwhelmingly voted (a whopping 98.32%, to be precise) in favor of a potential strike against ten of the video game industry's heavyweights, including the likes of Activision and Electronic Arts. The crux? Seeking a more equitable contract, particularly addressing concerns over wages stagnating amidst inflation and the unchecked use of AI in the realm. History echoes, reminding us of the lengthy 2016-17 strike. Although this vote equips the national board with the authority to announce a strike if negotiations falter, both parties will return to the negotiating table soon.

Releases 📅

• ‘Naked Attraction,’ a British dating show featuring full-frontal nudity, climbed to MAX’s "Most Popular" spot amid controversy. (more)

• Netflix is considering releasing episodes of ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ in batches, deviating from its typical binge-watching model, to enhance buzz around the spin-off series. (more)

• ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ is set for a global release following its Oct. 13th domestic release. (more)

• 'True Detective: Night Country’ sets HBO Jan. 14 premiere (more)

• ‘Paw Patrol 3’ is set for a 2026 theatrical release. (more)

• The second episode of ‘Yellowstone’ on CBS attracted 5 million viewers, showing a 24% decline from its debut episode, yet still demonstrating the series' strong appeal on broadcast TV. (more)

First Looks 👀

• Emma Stone stars in the home renovation comedy ‘The Curse,’ set to premiere on Paramount+ on Nov. 10 after its debut at the New York Film Festival. (more)

• Netflix drops a first look at its new ‘Tomb Raider’ animated series. (more)

Buzz 🗣️

• Late night talk shows like ‘Real Time With Bill Maher’ are planning to return with writers in the coming weeks. (more here and here)

Business 🤝

• CNN launches its new streaming service, CNN Max. (more)

• Netflix is closing its iconic DVD-by-mail service, marking the end of an era that revolutionized the entertainment industry. (more)

• Netflix is hit with patent infringement in Germany (more)

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What to watch this weekend? 👀

THEATRICAL 🎥

• The Creator: Gareth Edward’s original sci-fi film starring John David Washington.

• Saw X: The latest from the Saw franchise.

STREAMING 📺

• Reptile: (Netflix) Crime drama starring Benicia Del Toro and Justin Timberlake.

• The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar: (Netflix) Wes Anderson’s latest short film.