>> Major studios and producers
are sitting down today for the
first time in three months with
the writers tilde of America.
The first sign of any progress
and possibly the first steps on
the road to a deal.
We have the latest on the
standoff and the talks.
>> The strike by TV and film
writers again before this
summer.
Last month, the union
representing actors joined in
their own strike.
They have upended the industry,
halting promotion of new movies
and shows and shutting down most
production.
Jane fonda has been out on the
picket lines.
>> These unions coming together
in solidarity is historically
important.
Union solidarity forever.
>> The new talks will have to
solve some major divides over
streaming and the role of a.
Thank you for joining us.
It is worth noting that even
before they sit down today,
there was new mudslinging.
What brought the writers and
producers back the table?
>> I think the pain that has
been inflicted on both sides
over the past three months is
really driving this.
We are getting too
mission-critical right now.
Some of these movies that are
slated to come out next summer
are in peril.
The fall television season is
basically on life support this
point.
These writers are also getting
pretty desperate.
They are feeling the pinch of no
work for three months.
I think it is the overall
collective pain of this strike
that is coming home to roost.
They said let's at least see if
there is common ground to work
on a settlement.
>> It is interesting that
they're starting with the
writers first.
Nothing but the actors.
Where does that stand?
>> The studio side has gone one
by one with these guilds.
They could not make a deal with
the writers so they went on
strike.
The directors did make a deal
and did not strike.
And they went to the actors and
the actors decided to strike.
The length of the term here is a
factor.
The rhetoric on the actors side,
especially from the president of
the union, has really ratcheted
up.
The studios but they had a good
chance going to the writers
first.
>> What about the studios and
producers?
These are different kinds of
media companies.
Traditional studios as well as
streamers.
Do they all come with the same
issues?
The same top things they are
after?
>> That is a fascinating issue.
Something overly distinguishes
this strike from other labor
impasses in modern history.
The major players on the studio
side are companies like Disney
and Warner bros..
But also companies like Amazon
and apple and net that are tech
companies that are very
different than his interests.
The others have all these other
businesses like media and
television.
The late-night shows are shut
down.
They have theme parks or they
will not have new product.
This studio side has not
entirely coalesced.
They are trying to put on the
best days.
There is a lot of debate amongst
members.
>> There is one interesting side
activity where there are some
independent studios are getting
waivers.
Explain that.
>> These out waivers.
It is a agreement.
It is an agreement to share 2%
of your revenue.
Whether the talent involved in
those movies is willing to do so
is a separate issue.
We saw one actress back out
because she didn't feel it was
appropriate to be working.
There are others, almost 100 now
, that have gotten these interim
agreements.
>> In recent days we have seen
big name actors come together to
help build a very large bond.
Does that point to a level of
solidarity that we expected?
The potential for a long strike?
>> The level of solidarity in
this strike has been pretty
extraordinary.
Both on the writers side and the
actors side the writers were
able to go to the picket lines
and say, you are not going to
shoot the show.
This is new ground.
Especially the social media era.
It is not a surprise to me that
you are seeing of solidarity.
>> Will keep watching.
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