How Will the 2023 Writers and Actors Strikes Affect Aspiring Film & TV Students?

The 2023 Hollywood strikes left thousands on the picket lines, studios shuttered and film and TV lovers in the lurch. What does that mean for those hoping to break into the industry?

What happened?

In May 2023, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike in a dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The second-longest labor stoppage in WGA history at nearly 150 days, the strike helped spur a separate, months-long strike of the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the actors union.

The tandem strikes, in which strikers sought compensation and wage increases, health insurance and pensions, forced many studios to close their doors and reduce staff, jeopardizing long-term contracts and impacting many other areas of the entertainment world.

Why did Hollywood writers and actors strike in 2023? How did the Hollywood strikes affect the economy?

The advent of streaming media was a main focus of the strikes. The WGA claimed that the AMPTP’s share of residuals from streaming cut into writers’ income compared to what they received even 10 years ago. Artificial intelligence (AI) also figured prominently, as many creative talents feared the tools would be used to replace them.

In addition, an increase in TV reboots of old franchises and the decline of “prestige TV” also sounded alarms for writers and actors alike.

The WGA’s 11,500 members went on strike in May with about 60,000 TV and movie actors who work under contract joining their own fight soon after that. Reverberations from the dual strikes affected the entire Hollywood landscape, causing the loss of an estimated 45,000 jobs and $6.5 billion to the economy of southern California.

How did the writers’ and actors’ strike end?

The writers approved a three-year contract that would give them a bonus from streaming services and an increase in residuals for overseas viewing. The new deal also bumped up minimum staffing requirements of writer-producers for many television shows and provided several other enhancements.

The actors’ union approved a three-year contract that provided a 7% general pay increase with future increases for the next two years and the creation of a fund to pay performers for future viewings of their work on streaming services, in addition to traditional residuals.

How do the Hollywood strikes of 2023 affect film and television students?

The strikes will provide a brighter future for those entering the film and television business in the coming years. They will likely receive better pay and benefits and acknowledgement of their worth both in front of and behind the camera, as industry leaders adjust their economic model to recognize new methods of distribution and compensate their creative workers appropriately, said Sara “Sally” Ross, Ph.D., program director of the master’s in film & television at Sacred Heart University (SHU). 

If past strikes are any indication, the most recent labor disputes may create other consequences for a new wave of filmmakers. Anytime there is a work stoppage, some of those already working in the industry consider other opportunities outside the industry. A significant segment of the workforce does not return.

That signals advantages for new filmmakers, said Todd Barnes, JD, artistic director of SHU’s graduate film and television programs. Productions halted before the strike have resumed, and many more projects are waiting to launch and looking for cast and crew. Suddenly, demand is high, and the supply is lower, opening the door for new graduates. 

What sets Sacred Heart University’s film & television program apart?

Film and television offer spaces for creativity to soar, but those involved know a firm grounding in the financial and technical realities of the job are key to thriving in a competitive industry. At SHU, we are dedicated to offering the best resources available to help you build your career in the film and television industry. 

Our faculty in the School of Communication, Media & the Arts includes award-winning screenwriters, editors, producers and directors, who bring their collective experience and world-class expertise to the classroom. Our state-of-the-art equipment and facilities enable students to learn, study and create with the same caliber of cameras, dollies, mounts and more that they will use in their professional careers.

Located a short train ride from New York City in Fairfield County–CT’s “Creative Corridor”–Sacred Heart’s tight-knit and passionate community of filmmakers will give you the support, hands-on experience and networking opportunities you need to reach your fullest potential. 

Our program offers two distinct paths: the Master of Arts (MA) is an intensive year of film and television production. The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) option is a terminal two-year degree culminating in a capstone project. 

Want to know more about the Master of Arts or MFA in Film & Television at Sacred Heart University?

Curious about earning your graduate degree in film & tv? Talk to Ed Nassr, associate director of graduate admissions & recruitment, at nassre@sacredheart.edu or schedule a virtual appointment today!