Write offs

According to the Writers Guild of America, the TV industry lost a shocking

42% of writing jobs in the 2023-24 season. It is almost half of the union’s

screenwriters out of work. And although film has been a more stable media

for creatives, the numbers show a decline in writing jobs as well, 15% down.

On top of it all, for the professionals who were able to maintain their jobs in

the past years, the earnings dropped 6 percent (more on THR). So what is

going on?

Flashback

The first thing to take into consideration is that the new statistics reflect the

long 2023 strike, in which the WGA (followed by SAG-AFTRA) made efforts

for its union writers to get a pay increase, rise residuals for streaming

content and limit AI use. Other reasons behind the vertiginous statistics

include the decline in original programming for cable as well as a decrease

in the number of shows that are currently being produced by streamers,

according to Deadline.

Cut To

Showrunners and co-executive producers were hit the hardest, with a loss

1/3 of their jobs when compared with the 2018-19 season. Staff writers,

story editors and executive story editors were also deeply affected in the

last years. “Writing careers have always been difficult to access and

sustain, but the contraction has made it especially challenging”, said the

email sent to members by the WGA West board of directors and WGA East

council (read full report here)

Post-Peak Era

The 2023-24 TV writer’s rooms averaged 4 to 5 writers, in contrast with the

usual dozen people. Those couple of years have also proved harder for

writers to start (down 46%), climb the ladder (42% less mid-level writers)

and keep their jobs (40% cut) as we see a decline in all positions for

creative writers. If compared with the Covid years, we are seeing an overall

37% fall on WGA covered series.

Content Is King

We have been helping screenwriters for both TV and film get visibility in this

market for more than two decades, and although numbers look bad, we

know that creative minds will always be needed. Content will continue to be

king (we hope AI doesn’t become queen). Reach out to find out about our

programs that are designed to give writer’s and stories the visibility they

deserve in this competitive market.

Keep writing!

Laura

P.S.: On an ironic note, keep in mind that the “A Minecraft Movie” had a total

of 28 writers listed on WGA and just earned $300MM last weekend.