News to Pay Attention to
(Instead of this coronation.)
1. The Writers Strike
This week, The Writers Guild of America (WGA) agreed to engage in a strike after they failed to agree on negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) regarding their working conditions.
On Tuesday, 11,500 writers ceased work and formed peaceful protests outside some of the leading studios and streamers, like Netflix, Warner Bros, Paramount and Amazon.
According to the WGA, nearly half of their writers only earn minimum wage, equating to a 23% decrease over the past decade. These conditions are abysmal, but made so more especially due to the skyrocketing level of demand for films and shows, spin-offs, longer seasons and more episodes. WGA proposed this in the contract renewal, however, was declined by AMPTP.
Succession related protest posters at The Writers Strike
Credit: Arthur Edwards // Pool // AFP via Getty
Another great point of contention is the increased number of ‘mini rooms’ – a condensed writer’s room that requires a small number of writers to create two or three scripts of an episode before it is approved (or denied) to go to production. Newer and more novice writers are usually hauled in they are essentially cheaper labour. The WGA is calling for a minimum of six writers in rooms before the project is greenlit, and a guarantee of 10 consecutive weeks’ worth of work. The AMPTP refused, hence the strike.
Shows such as Abbott Elementary, Yellowjackets, Cobra Kai and SNL have been affected.
[Source: iNews]
2. Tory-run Bromley Vetoes Foodbanks In Favour Of The Coronation
Bromley Council, run by the Conservative Party, has decided to spend £50,000 on Coronation festivities. The problem? They took this money from their community fund which is reserved for philanthropic and community initiatives. Most recently, this fund was declared to be provided in the form of grants for open warm and food banks. Many people in the UK would go here for refuge to stop themselves from starving and freezing, especially since the cost-of-living crisis has been making many Brits unable to pay their bills and live comfortably.
Volunteers outside the Bromley Foodbank Centre
Credit: Facebook
What makes matters worse is that this frugal and absurd investment of funds comes after a warning that the council must find an additional £2.4bn to compensate for the exponentially rising energy costs and inflation pressures.
Reminder: this is the same council that found one of its councillors, Shaun Slator, had tweeted that a certain rape victim was “more likely” a prostitute “who’s punter didn’t pay.” Need I say more?
[Source: The Guardian, Open Democracy]
3. Aliens Could Be Residing Near Uranus
NASA has published research that determine four of the moons that orbit Uranus – Ariel Umbriel, Titania and Oberon – hold water, more specifically, “oceans that could be dozens of miles deep” located “between their cores and icy crusts”.
Uranus and its orbiting moons.
Credit: Aleksandra Morrisovich//Shutterstock
This is a huge deal and a remarkable uncovering in astronomical studies. The bodies of water insinuate life very similar to that on Earth is entirely possible.
[Source: NY Post]
4. Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour Starts Next Week
The drought is nearly over. Mother is coming.
[Source: Me]
Beyoncé performing on her Formation World Tour.
Credit:
Digital Colorisation by Ben Park
Daniela Vesco // Invision // Parkwood Entertainment // A.P. Images