Both sides in the standoff between Hollywood’s writers and studios spent the week trying to improve their standing in the Public Relations battle over the ongoing labor dispute.
The negotiating committee for the WGA updated their members indicating that while the AMPTP as a whole has not responded to the writers’ latest proposal, a handful of executives at specific studios represented by the AMPTP have reached out to the WGA privately to indicate a willingness to negotiate terms for a settlement. One studio executive was reported to have said that they “need a deal badly” and are considering breaking off from the AMPTP to reach a settlement with the writers.
It has been reported separately that Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos is considering separating his company from the AMPTP negotiations so they can settle directly with the writers. In fact, all the studios coming under the AMPTP may not share the same position vis a vis the strike, with some holding out for something closer to the status quo and others more willing to give the writers most of what they have requested.
Later in the week, the AMPTP came out with its own statement refuting the WGA’s characterization, saying that its members are completely unified in their stance on the current negotiations. Of course, despite the public posturing, a resolution will only be found through direct dialogue between the parties, which we hope will resume shortly.
See also: AMPTP Calls WGA’s Claims Of Division In Studio Ranks False, Says “Member Companies Are Aligned” (Deadline)