WGA Strike: What It's All About and Why it Hurts You

For many following the news, the WGA, or the Writer's Guild of America has joined in solidarity and decided to strike. What does that mean? Basically, all writing has stopped. No more Tonight Show. No more Dave Letterman. No more scripts going into production. The consequences of the strike however have far more implications than those directly affecting writers.

What many people do not realize is how many people's livelihood is vested in the entertainment industry. In Los Angeles, almost every family is either directly or indirectly involved in the "industry." As teamsters, who consist of casting directors, electricians, truck drivers, etc, they are weary of crossing picket lines no matter who is striking.

If a prolonged strike occurs and studios run out of episodic scripts for television shows, and film scripts, all production will cease. What does that mean for the economy? It means California's economy will self implode.

Countless hourly workers work for the studios doing security, in the food stations, cleaning, doing onsite catering, chauffeuring, personal security, not to mention the thousands of individuals who are production assistants, grips (electricians and lighting), cameramen, and all the other various jobs behind the camera. Educators hired as on set teachers will be out of work. Stunts and stunt coordinators will be left jobless. Directors, producers, even assistants will be sent home.

Think of all the outside restaurant and catering companies that supply food for production. Think of the outside drivers hired to get actors from one location to the other. Think of all the companies that survive based on prop rentals, camera and lighting rentals, costume rentals. Think of all the make up artists, costume designers, messenger services delivering headshots to casting. There are thousands of talent agencies that consist of dozens of agents, assistants and associates. Hundreds of casting directors, associates, and assistants will be left without work.