Entertainment

Tentative Deal Reached to End Hollywood Writers Strike

Published

1 year ago

September 25, 2023

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LOS ANGELES – Union leaders and Hollywood studios reached a tentative agreement Sunday to end a historic screenwriters strike after nearly five months, though no deal is yet in the works for striking actors.

The Writers Guild of America announced the deal in a statement.

The three-year contract agreement – settled on after five marathon days of renewed talks by negotiators for the Writers Guild of America and an alliance of studios, streaming services and production companies – must be approved by the guild’s board and members before the strike officially ends.

The terms of the deal were not immediately announced. The tentative deal to end the last writers strike, in 2008, was approved by more than 90% of members.

As a result of the agreement, nightly network shows including NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” could return to the air within days.

But as writers prepare to potentially crack open their laptops again, it’s far from back to business as usual in Hollywood, as talks have not yet resumed between studios and striking actors. Crew members left with no work by the stoppage will remain unemployed for now.

The proposed solution to the writers strike comes after talks resumed on Wednesday or the first time in a month. Chief executives including Bob Iger of Disney, Ted Sarandos of Netflix, David Zaslav of Warner Bros. Discovery and Donna Langley of NBCUniversal reportedly took part in the negotiations directly.

About 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America walked off the job May 2 over issues of pay, the size of writing staffs on shows and the use of artificial intelligence in the creation of scripts. Actors, who joined the writers on strike in July, have their own issues but there have been no discussions about resuming negotiations with their union yet.

The writers strike immediately sent late-night talk shows and “Saturday Night Live” into hiatus, and has since sent dozens of scripted shows and other productions into limbo, including forthcoming seasons of Netflix’s “Stranger Things,’ HBO’s “The Last of Us,” and ABC’s “Abbot Elementary,’ and films including “Deadpool 3” and “Superman: Legacy.” The Emmy Awards were also pushed from September to January.

More recently, writers had been targeting talk shows that were working around strike rules to return to air, including “The Drew Barrymore Show,” “Real Time With Bill Maher” and “The Talk.” All reversed course in the face of picketing and pressure and are likely to quickly return now.

The combined strikes made for a pivotal moment in Hollywood as creative labor faced off against executives in a business transformed and torn by technology, from the seismic shift to streaming in recent years to the potentially paradigm-shifting emergence of AI in the years to come.

Screenwriters had traditionally gone on strike more than any other segment of the industry but had enjoyed a relatively long stretch of labor peace until spring negotiations for a new contract fell apart. The walkout was their first since 2007 and their longest since 1988.

On July 14, more than two months into the strike, the writers got a dose of solidarity and star power – along with a whole lot of new picketing partners – when they were joined by 65,000 striking film and television actors.

It was the first time the two groups had been on strike together since 1960. In that walkout, the writers strike started first and ended second. This time, studios opted to deal with the writers first.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the group that represents employers in negotiations, first reached out to suggest renewing negotiations in August. The meetings were short, infrequent, and not productive, and talks went silent for another month.

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Staff Reporter

Announcements

Ring in the New Year on Dubai’s waters: Abra, Taxi & Ferry with Atlantis views

Published

2 weeks ago

December 11, 2024

Staff Reporter

As Dubai residents and tourists gear up to celebrate New Year, they can ring in 2025 with celebrations in the waters of the emirate.

تُقدم #هيئة_الطرق_و_المواصلات في دبي عروضًا خاصة وخدمات مميّزة، خلال فعاليات رأس السنة الميلادية الجديدة 2025، والموافق الثلاثاء 31 ديسمبر الجاري 2024، على متن وسائل النقل البحري، مثل فيري دبي والعبرة والتاكسي المائي.
لقراءة الخبر كاملا، يرجى زيارة الموقع الإلكتروني… pic.twitter.com/FfXu8rHHyA
— RTA (@rta_dubai) December 10, 2024

The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai has announced special offers and exclusive services during the New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2024, on marine transport means including the Dubai Ferry, the Abra, and the Water Taxi.

Passengers can enjoy views of the Burj Khalifa, Bluewaters, Atlantis, Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Towers. Residents can cruise into 2025 aboard the Dubai Ferry, Water Taxi, and Abra, with the backdrop of the Dubai coastline, adorned with hotels, heritage areas and landmarks such as The World Islands.

Announcements

Dubai Safari to introduce extended hours for night safaris

Published

2 weeks ago

December 6, 2024

Staff Reporter

Timings at the Dubai Safari Park will be extended this winter season, allowing visitors to experience the attraction at night. Evening visitors will be able to observe changes in the animals’ behaviour as the night deepens. The park’s lions will roar more, the usually elusive pygmy hippos will be more active and the predatory instincts of carnivores primed for nocturnal hunting will intensify.

The night safari timings of 6pm to 8pm will be applicable for a limited period—from December 13 to January 12. Tickets will be sold on the park’s website starting from December 11.

https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice/status/1864686389918617715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1864686389918617715%7Ctwgr%5E9a6a3d393a5ce5a565aef31778242b56a7deda6b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuzzzing.ae%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D12597action%3Dedit

The extended hours will include two night safaris led by wildlife guides. Visitors can “expect to catch” a glimpse of the night-time routines of over 90 species, “besides participating in interactive activities involving animals”, the park’s operator said. The safari will host live performances, including an African fire show and a neon display. Visitors will be able to observe and study the animals’ natural adaptations at night, which include enhanced night vision, echolocation, and a heightened sense of smell and hearing.

Ahmad Al Zarouni, director of Public Parks and Recreational Facilities at Dubai Municipality, said, “With the introduction of the unique night safari, we are excited to reveal a new perspective on the world of wildlife after dark. This experience offers a rare opportunity to explore hidden aspects of life in the wild and learn about our constant efforts to enhance animal welfare, by day and by night.”

The extended timings are being offered amid the country’s peak tourist season.

According to the Dubai Safari Park, “well-considered measures” are in place to ensure that the ecosystem and animals’ natural routines remain undisturbed during the night safaris. “Only nocturnally active species will be part of the safari experience, allowing guests to observe them in their most natural state.”

Announcements

Dubai to ring in UAE National Day with week-long celebrations

Published

4 weeks ago

November 26, 2024

Staff Reporter

As the UAE prepares to celebrate its 53rd National Day, residents can look forward to a long weekend, with a 4-day break for most and an extended 5-day holiday for those in Sharjah.

From November 28 to December 3, Dubai will come alive with Eid Al Etihad festivities, featuring shopping deals, acrobatic performances, musical shows, fireworks, and culinary delights.

Culinary Experiences

Dubai’s restaurants and cafes will offer exclusive tasting menus, limited-time promotions, and events celebrating Emirati flavors with global twists. Emirati Eats will showcase a variety of traditional and fusion dishes at leading eateries across the city.

Music and Concerts

The festivities kick off on November 28 with Jalsat Moments at Coca-Cola Arena, featuring a stellar lineup of Arab artists, including Ayed Yousef, Eida Al Menhali, Nabeel Shuail, and Abdulaziz Al-Duwaihi.

On December 2, Dubai Festival City Mall will host a live concert by Aryam and Faisal Al Jasim, while City Walk will showcase a performance by Mohamed Al Shehhi, supported by a 10-member band, from 8 pm to 9 pm.

Fireworks

Spectacular firework displays will light up the city skies at these locations:

–December 1, 8 pm: Bluewaters and The Beach, JBR

–December 2, 8 pm: Hatta Sign

–December 2, 9.10 pm: Dubai Festival City Mall

–December 3, 9 pm: Al Seef

Shopping and Family Activities

From November 29 to December 3, shoppers can enjoy discounts on perfumes, jewelry, fashion, footwear, homeware, and apparel across the city. Traditional bands, family-friendly activities, and performances will create vibrant atmospheres at City Centre Mirdif and Ibn Battuta Mall.

Acrobatic Acts and Performances

On December 2, City Walk will host fabric dancers, acrobats, flag bearers, and traditional bands from 4 pm to 6 pm, culminating in the musical finale by Mohamed Al Shehhi.

With over 200 performers and an array of activities, Dubai is set to honor the UAE’s rich heritage and dynamic spirit with a celebration to remember.