Universal’s Pearlena Igbokwe On Strikes: “Hopefully The Temperature Calms Down And We Remember That We Are Partners” — Edinburgh TV Festival
24.08.2023 - 12:51
/ deadline.com
Universal Studios Group Chair Pearlena Igbokwe has said there is determination from all sides to find an “equitable” solution to the Hollywood labor strikes.
The veteran exec, who has helmed the creation of shows such as Dexter and The Blacklist over a three-decade career, took a hopeful tone when questioned about the writers and actors strikes in the U.S. during a session at the Edinburgh TV Festival today.
“I know for a fact the CEOs and top senior leaders are invested and committed to figuring out a deal that is fair and equitable for everybody,” she said. “I got into this business to make TV shows and not to sit around for three months and not do anything. I want us to find that deal that makes everyone happy.”
Despite her comments, the atmosphere in Hollywood remains downbeat, with chances of a deal being done looking bleak at the moment. Deadline reported yesterday that talks between the WGA and AMPTP appear to have broken down again, with the writers union hitting out at the likes of David Zaslav, Ted Sarandos and Bob Iger.
Igbokwe said Hollywood as a whole is at an “inflection point” and streaming and technology changes the industry, and faced “serious and complicated challenges.”
“I love writers and actors and the whole [creative] process, so I am just really hopeful we’re all going to be able to come together and figure out the challenges to our collective industry. We’re all in this ecosystem.”
Igbokwe, who is much respected within the global creative community, offered analysis on how Hollywood has reached its current state, saying: “In the last 10 years we’ve noticed how Hollywood is changing. Technology changes things and we got to a point where the writers and actors clearly felt it wasn’t working for