Hollywood Writers Take Another Step Toward Ending Strike
Posted February 4, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Striking writers have reached interim contract agreements with four New York-based independent filmmakers.
The joint announcement by the two sides ending the 12-week walkout appears to be another step toward ending a national work stoppage by the Writers Guild of America.
That strike has brought film and television production on both coasts to a virtual standstill.
Sunday’s announcement in New York did not offer details of the agreements.
But officials said it was “similar” to agreements reached earlier between the union and 13 other film and TV production companies.
Officials say the latest agreements with the guild’s east and west units enables the four indie producers, GreeneStreet Films, Killer Films, Open City Films and This Is That Corporation, to resume business immediately.
WGA East president Michael Winship called the pacts “a reaffirmation of their dedication to great writing, bold innovation and good old-fashioned, New York City street smarts” by companies that he said had helped to revitalize the motion picture industry.
Jason Kliot and Joana Vicente, speaking for GreeneStreet, Open City and Killer films, credited the union with “thoughtfulness during the discussions.”
The announcement follows weekend reports in Los Angeles of a possible breakthrough in union talks with Hollywood studios.
