🪧What Creators Can Learn From the Writers Strike

CREATOR NEWSLETTER


For those who don’t remember the last writers’ strike in 2007, the central issue on the table—brought about by South Park, no less—was how much studios were willing to pay for “new media” content. Back when Netflix still sent you physical DVDs, and “on-demand” movie transactions were all done through your iTunes account, the WGA’s 12,000+ members held strong for over 14 weeks and cost the entertainment industry a record $500 million for the right to earn 2% on streaming residuals.

But more important than the residuals, the writers had the prescience to secure future rights that would lock in studios to use Guild members for any streaming-produced series that went over a certain budget. What seemed like a hypothetical at the time paid off once Netflix and other streamers got into the original content game.

So what can we, as creators, learn from this? Lots of things, which is why you’ll be seeing a lot of coverage of the current strike on Passionfruit. The WGA was prescient last time when they came together for collective bargaining, helping shape the future of the TV and film landscape. Imagine what we could do.


THE HIGHLIGHT

What creators can learn from the Writers Strike, Part 1: Corporate vs. Content


Create more content on the move

Introducing the McKinnon Cube Pack—the most functional camera cube ever. Perfect for the nomadic content creator, this cleverly designed, customizable camera cube even expands into a backpack when you need to carry more.


ONE GREAT TIP


THE DARK SIDE

PewDiePie’s Twitch channel was banned, and fans are puzzled why

The notorious gamer’s channel had finally started streaming again, until it was seemingly randomly banned.

By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor


IN THE BIZ


GAMING MADE ME DO IT

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