Karen Bass is well aware of the severe impact and consequences of a prolonged negotiation dissolution between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and striking unions, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
The Los Angeles Mayor made implication to the visibly rocky financial climate of the City of Angels, following Ellen Stutzman, Chief Negotiator of WGA, meeting with AMPTP head Carol Lombardini on Friday (Aug. 4).
“This historic moment continues to have profoundly negative impacts on our economy and many of our community members,” Bass said in a statement. “It is critical that this gets resolved immediately so that Los Angeles gets back on track.”
The Friday meeting was the first since WGA went on strike May 1, and while the meeting is a hopeful sign, word in town is that negotiation restructuring is in the works as the reps go back to the drawing board. Bass has cautiously navigated the conversation surrounding the double strike, particularly mum on which party she is partial to and instead, taking on a coalesce approach to resolution.
“I stand ready to personally engage with all the stakeholders in any way possible to help get this done,” Bass said.
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Meanwhile, Los Angeles is noticeably bare as the only productions going on around town appears to be unscripted programming, such as reality television, and game and court shows.
Some actors have resorted to pay-for-service platforms, such as Cameo, or offering workshops and classes to secure income. Others involved in the strikes are relying on financial assistance from various sources and gig work in other fields to hold their heads above water.
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The strikes couldn’t have come at a more busy time for Bass, who is under pressure to improve the homeless epidemic of Los Angeles, while assuaging a city shaken by growing crime.
“This important inflection point for our city’s signature industry has caused ripple effects throughout our economy as well as that of the state and the country,” Bass said. “The impact has spanned every corner of Los Angeles — from the writers and actors on the picket line trying to make ends meet to keep a roof over their head and food on the table, to businesses who rely on the entertainment industry.”
