Screenwriters Strike VS AI*: the winning contract

Writers Guild of America just signed (ratified) a contract with the movie/tv show industry that includes some interesting language around AI

Oran C

Oct 10, 2023 • 3 min read

* well kinda, just skimmed the parts i was interested in. ai and the streaming show stuff

Writers Guild of America just signed (ratified) a contract with the movie/tv show industry that includes some interesting language around AI

AI summery via claud.ai

Some key points:

3-year term from September 25, 2023 to May 1, 2026.
Minimum compensation rates to increase by 5% upon ratification, 4% in year 2, and 3.5% in year 3.
Ability for WGA to divert up to 0.5% from minimums in years 2 and 3 to pension and health funds.
Health fund contribution rate increased by 0.5% to 12% effective May 2, 2024.
New minimum terms for writers in development rooms and minimum staffing levels after series order.
Higher minimums and improved residuals for high budget programs made for subscription video-on-demand (SVOD).
New residuals formula for foreign SVOD based on number of foreign subscribers.
New "performance metric" bonus for hit SVOD programs based on viewership.
Improvements related to options/exclusivity periods, script fees for staff writers, and other writer protections.
Adds generative AI protections, such as disclosure requirements.
Numerous other compensation improvements and modification of credit/arbitration provisions.
In summary, it provides for increased compensation and improved conditions for writers over the 3-year term.

Things that i found amusing

they specifically mention chatgpt

..... and may employ algorithmic methods (e.g., ChatGPT, Llama, MidJourney, Dall-E)....

Streaming service now get new rules

Higher minimums and improved residuals for high budget programs made for subscription video-on-demand (SVOD). source text summery by claud.ai with prompt 'please summarize this contract' + copy pasted full document

Companies cant under pay writers for rewriting AI gen scripts

“EXAMPLE 1:

note: GAI = General AI
Company furnishes Writer A with written material substantially in the form of a screenplay produced by GAI which has not been previously published or exploited and assigns no other materials. Company instructs Writer A to rewrite the GAI-produced written material. Company must pay Writer A no less than the minimum compensation for a screenplay [...]