Scripted TV production has virtually stopped in L.A.

Nearly two months after writers’ strike began, the movement is stronger than ever.

From the Los Angeles Times:

As the writers’ strike nears the end of its second month, scripted TV production in Los Angeles has virtually ground to a halt, underscoring the economic fallout from the ongoing labor standoff.

During the last two weeks, no permits have been issued for scripted TV series filming on location in the L.A. region, according to FilmLA, the nonprofit that handles permits for film shoots on city streets and other locations outside of studio soundstages.

The disappearance of TV shoots is notable because scripted TV is ordinarily one of the main drivers of on-location film shoots in L.A. Typically, there would be dozens of scripted television projects shooting locally this time of year, FilmLA said.

The dramatic falloff in activity is reverberating across Southern California’s economy, where many local businesses depend on the industry, as do thousands of crew members who work behind the scenes on film and TV sets.

It is the AMPTP who have stonewalled negotiations with the Guild. The companies make billions of dollars in revenue derived from movies and television series created not only by writer, actors, and directors, but the thousands of crew members. Meanwhile, corporate CEOs given themselves annual multiple hundreds thousand dollar raises.

Yet they refuse to negotiate.

AMPTP’s obstinance is quite literally causing thousands of people to suffer economic and psychological hardships. Not to mention all the businesses who rely on entertainment workers as customers.

All because the companies refuse to compromise on what amounts to pennies on the dollar.

Perhaps SAG-AFTRA negotiations with the AMPTP will create a path forward for the WGA. If not, we can only hope the actors go out on strike as well.

The AMPTP members have proved that nothing will move them other than monetary concerns. Stopping production on films and TV on the long-term is one way to make the companies feel some pain.

For the rest of the L.A. Times article, go here.

For the latest updates on the strike and news resources, go here.