There’s a lot that goes into making any film or television show. Have you ever sat in the theater and watched the credits all the way through? There are hundreds of people that are essential to making a show or movie successful. However, many of those productions are on pause and those workers are waiting to see what happens. On May 2, the Writers Guild of America announced that the nearly 12,000 writers in its organization were going on strike. It’s been nearly two weeks and the strike is showing no signs of slowing down in both Los Angeles and New York.
Every major Hollywood production company has been affected by the strike, including Disney. Multiple Disney productions have already been forced to pause, including Blade, which is slated for Disney+, the Disney Channel show Bunk’d, the hit ABC show Abbott Elementary, and others.
However, when asked how much the strike is costing the House of Mouse, Chief Financial Officer Christine McCarthy wouldn’t say.
When addressing the strike, McCarthy said:
“We have not estimated that because that’s a new development and we haven’t really quantified what that is, because we don’t know how long it’s gonna last.”
Disney is still attempting to keep as many productions up and running while the strike is happening. The company’s legal department sent out letters to writers who were also in producing roles. Disney told them that they were expected to continue all their non-writing duties. Many have complied with the order, but some writer/producers have stood on the picket lines with their fellow writers.
Even though Disney is trying to keep things up and running. They may soon hit another major road block. SAG/AFTRA — the guild representing every major Hollywood actor — has also authorized a strike. SAG officials said that there members would be striking in solidarity with the writers if the studios remained unwilling to negotiate.
This is not the first time recently that Disney has had to deal with strikes by a large number of its employees. Recently, Cast Members in Walt Disney World went on strike as they demanded better wages. Disneyland Paris Cast Members are currently on strike as they also demand the company pay them better.