Atlanta’s film industry could take major hit as writers prepare for potential strike

ATLANTA — The TV and movie industry is preparing for a possible strike, which could have major impacts on Atlanta’s thriving film industry.

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The writers’ union is currently negotiating with production companies in an effort to get better pay and better hours.

Channel 2′s Elizabeth Rawlins was at the Atlanta Film Festival on Tuesday where hundreds of screenplays and films are being reviewed.

“This is their year to say look, after all of the money you just made with COVID, how many people were streaming at home, everyone was streaming at home,” Linda Burns, the Creative Conference Director for the Atlanta Film Festival, said.

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If the union and studio production companies aren’t able to reach a deal, many television shows and movies could see their productions come to a screeching halt.

“If there is a strike, [shows] won’t be returning because [writers] won’t be there to write the new season,” said Charles Bowen, the founder of the Savannah Film Alliance.

Bowen says that if a deal is not reached by May 1, the fallout will not only cripple the industry but will have major impacts on Georgia’s economy.

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“No one can predict what will happen, but everyone believes it will be bad,” he told Rawlins. “If I had to put one word on it, it would be catastrophic.”

The last writers’ strike came in 2007, which was before the rise of streaming services.

Many remain hopeful that a strike can be avoided, but some believe it could be a necessary evil to make sure writers are being treated fairly.

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