AA Edit | Dream factories on strike

The dream factories in Hollywood are idle. Not only the writers but also the actors who have issues that had not been addressed by the other half of the industry comprising the producers, like the major studios of both theatrical and online motion pictures, television networks and the streaming services, have put their pens and grease paint cans down.

It is not often that the fans see beyond the spotlight in which the stars, paid several million dollars per picture, revel in bringing home the stories, fantasies, TV serials, talk shows et al. that have become the staple entertainment not only in the United States and the West but all over the world — as the reach of Hollywood is global now.

It may be hard to believe that there could be such trouble behind the scenes among the creative folk of the make-believe world of movies. And what has spooked those on strike now even more is the advent of Artificial Intelligence. For example, background performers could be hired for a day, be digitally scanned and have their likeness used in any future project, without additional benefit to the performer.

For an industry that is just recovering from the downturn of the Covid pandemic during which time the streaming services soared to Himalayan heights, the double whammy of actors joining the writers could not have come at a worse time. This is a strike that will, however, affect everyone, including the streaming services and popular sitcoms dedicated to the small screen.

Maybe, it is time to stop and think about whether the world that combines the best of entertainment serves well enough those who make it come alive like the writers and the underserved working actors, who struggle to make a living and pay their bills and rent.

A week has gone by and there have not even been talks though the money-wielding section of Hollywood put out a line that a billion dollars more had been offered to enhance material benefits for actors and scriptwriters, who usually distance themselves from the real world to crank up their creativity.

Fans and cineastes, who will feel the pinch soon as productions stall now, will be hoping that a magic bullet will soon be found soon that will help resolve the strike and bring about the happy ending scenario of the kind that often pleases viewers.