With just three weeks of crucial negotiations between the Directors Guild and the studios remaining before the actors’ talks begin, some observers are speculating that the DGA and AMPTP might not reach a deal, considering the rocky pre-negotiation posturing. I’m more optimistic, given the guild’s history of successful negotiations.
A DGA deal is especially critical this cycle: the residuals provisions and probably also the wage increases will set a pattern for SAG-AFTRA and ultimately the WGA. And if the directors and actors reach deals, that will put pressure on the writers, though whether enough to end the strike remains to be seen. Some observers think so; I’m less confident.
