Viewpoint - Nick Gibbs-McNeil

Nick Gibbs-McNeil has a particular interest in the kids’ space and the film industry and is publisher/editor at Kidzcoolit.com and youthgottit.com.

Hollywood shouts ‘cut!’

Don’t panic Mr Mainwaring!” That quote won’t mean much to many young folk in the business. But for those of us ‘of a certain age’, this famous line from Dad’s Army will always ring out in our heads, every time a faff is caused over something that is arguably fixable with a touch of calm. That said, the ongoing Hollywood strikes might be a genuine cause of concern, even for Mr Mainwaring.

So, a very brief ‘Nick’s take’ on what’s going on: Hollywood writers and actors are on strike for the foreseeable future, meaning all production of shows and movies has shut down. On top of that, actors are banned by their unions from promoting any already finished, upcoming releases. In a nutshell, the main reason for these strikes is that many strikers believe contracts from the past don’t reflect the modern dynamic of the entertainment industry. They would like better pay, terms and conditions, in line with how the industry is monetised today. In addition, they are concerned that new AI technology could have a negative effect on how talent performances are used in shows, movies and advertising. It’s a complex situation, and there are many further issues involved, but those are the key bones of contention.

My view on all of this? I think everyone should be paid what they deserve, but I also think times have changed and much of the work only exists today because the streaming giants have come into the business. Some of those striking may not have become actors or writers if the streaming platforms didn’t exist. But, of course, everyone needs to operate within the realms of fair working conditions.

As for AI, this is something that needs lots of conversations between the right people, so it’s used in a way that benefits, rather than disadvantages, the workers within the entertainment industry. If used in a positive way, and with fair contracts in place, it could create many new opportunities within the industry. This new tech is not going anywhere, so we may as well embrace the benefits it will bring to the market, much like Laurel and Hardy did with the ‘talkies’ back in 1927. There was so much fear of sound in Hollywood initially. Many stars complained and disappeared. Laurel and Hardy embraced the new technology and went on to become global superstars.

Right now, the strikers and employers have reached a stalemate - and that’s not good for anyone. It’s likely that without a quick resolution (which is never going to happen), the situation will end up worse than during the Covid pandemic for anyone who makes a living off the back of film/ TV/streaming properties.

Sometimes who’s ‘right’ and who’s ‘wrong’ is almost irrelevant. What’s needed is calm - and lots of reasonable conversations between everyone involved, leading to a solution that works for all parties. But the talks seem to be limited right now, and that’s a big problem.

If there isn’t a quick solution, toy suppliers will struggle to show some of their exciting new ranges at Toy Fair in January 2024 – and maybe even 2025. Without production starting on those movies and shows, nobody will be selling those toys.  These issues could even affect movies that are scheduled to be released towards the end of 2023, as many productions need minor reshoots. It’s also rumoured that the studios are considering moving some of the autumn 2023 releases to 2024, as they don’t have access to the stars for promotion. Without promotion, the movies are less likely to do well at the box office. Suppliers talking to retailers about orders and stock levels of movie/TV related product will inevitably be asked about media support for the range - and the movies/shows themselves. Unfortunately, the answer to that question is ‘not as much as normal, while these strikes are happening’. It’s a real mess!

If things don’t get sorted in the next few months, there will also be a potential knock-on effect for future products. To be able to create merchandise and toy products for 2024, 2025 and beyond, you need to see scripts and early development imagery. All of which is on hold right now, so you’re unlikely to see any early content for quite a while. This means any deals already in place will be on pause until everyone is back working again. We all have to cross our fingers and hope for the best. This is genuinely a big problem for everyone who makes a living based on anything that comes out of Hollywood. And alas, we have no control over it.