WGA & AMPTP Deal’s Impact On Film: Uptick In Feature Writers Job Market, But Actor Scheduling Conflicts Down The Road

A better-than-expected overall jobs picture in September had an exception: Entertainment industry employment continued to fall amid the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

Euphoria executive producer Ron Leshem flew into Spain this week and recalled how Hollywood had initially turned down the HBO hit over concerns about teenage lead characters.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Munich-based Beta Film, one of Europe’s leading television companies, and seasoned executive Danny Goldman have joined forces to form London-based Omega Global Media, a distribution business focusing on a selection of high-end English-language TV series. The new entity’s first project is the Canadian crime series “Something Undone,” starring Billy Campbell (“Cardinal”) and Amanda Brugel (“The Handmaid’s Tale”).

Just six months ago, the government vowed HS2 - conceived in 2009 - would roll into Manchester, saying it would 'form the foundations for improved rail services in the north through the Northern Powerhouse'. Now those foundations appear to be shaking, if not crumbling.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor The WGA West will extend health care benefits through year’s end to members who were facing an Oct. 1 expiration of coverage because of the strike. The extension was worked out as a part of the tentative contract agreement reached Sunday with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which will bring an end the nearly five-month strike.

UK industry bodies Bectu and the Writers Guild of Great Britain are saluting the tentative agreement reached on Sunday by the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to end the writers strike after nearly five months. They also called for a speedy resolution to the SAG-AFTRA strike. The UK industry has been hard hit by the labor unrest on the other side of the Atlantic.

WGA and major studios and streamers have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract that promises to end the 146-day strike that has taken a heavy toll across the content industry. Negotiators for the Writers Guild of America and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached the finish line Sunday after five consecutive days of negotiations. Day 4 on Saturday mostly involved lawyers for the guild and AMPTP hashing out the fine print of language around complicated and groundbreaking additions to the WGA’s Minimum Basic Agreement.

It’s been over 146 days since the Writer’s Guild of America went on strike after failing to come to a new contract with Hollywood’s studios, networks, and streamers. Over four months the AMPTP, which represents the Hollywood media companies, not only saw the WGA picket their studio lots and headquarters, but the Screen Actors Guild joined them.

The Writers Guild has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to end its strike after nearly five months. The parties finalized the framework of the deal Sunday when they were able to untangle their stalemate over AI and writing room staffing levels.

WGA and Hollywood’s major studios and streamers gathered Sunday afternoon around 4 p.m. PT for more talks about the final terms of a three-year contract that has taken shape over the past week, raising hopes of ending the nearly five-month writers strike.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Negotiations between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Hollywood studios continued into Friday night as questions swirled around town regarding whether a deal had been reached or if talks had once again broken down. There is no word yet on a potential deal, but insiders with knowledge of ongoings in the room say there is momentum on both sides to find a resolution that will end the 144-day writers strike. Friday’s talks are said to have begun at approximately 11 a.m.

Gordon Cox Theater Editor “Smash,” the TV series about the making of a fictional Broadway musical, takes an early step toward becoming a real-life Broadway musical on Sept. 22, with a pair of industry readings led by Tony nominees Robyn Hurder and Kerry Butler.

EXCLUSIVE: Deadline has learned that two-time Emmy acting nominee Matt Walsh is hitting pause on his participation in this season of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. His decision comes asthe dance competition has come under scrutiny amid the writers strike, with the WGA picketing rehearsals yesterday in at least two locations around Los Angeles.

EXCLUSIVE: The Writers Guild and studios and streamers are set to meet again tomorrow for further talks on a new contract for scribes.

Over 140 days into the WGA’s strike, the latest resumption of talks today between the scribes and studios and steamers are leaving nothing to chance.

Karen Idelson Variety’s Entertainment and Technology Summit returns Sept. 21, bringing together industry powerhouses who will weigh in on reaching audiences across platforms, utilizing progressive technologies and helping brands connect with viewers. The summit, presented by City National Bank, will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills and feature a full day of panels and speakers.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic U2 will begin its two-residency at Las Vegas’ Sphere with at least one new song to perform: “Atomic City,” a Vegas-themed tune that is expected to be released on or before the band’s Sept. 29 opening-night show. Filming a music video, the foursome repeatedly played through the song Saturday while positioned on a flatbed trailer that had come to a halt on Fremont Street in the city’s neon-filled downtown area.

Apparently, it wasn’t the smoke machines.

So what’s going on with “Yellowstone” and the drama between Kevin Costner, Paramount, and the show’s writer/creator, Oscar-nominated writer Taylor Sheridan? Well, nothing, really; Paramount already announced that the second part of “Yellowstone” season five would be its last and that a new spin-off show centered around a new character played by Matthew McConaughey would be the new focus instead.

The writers and the studios are set to get back around the negotiating table.