Disney Says Showrunners Should Work Despite Writers’ Strike

In a memorandum get bythe Hollywood Reporter , Bob McPhail , assistant chief counsel for ABC Signature , a Disney subordinate , remind showrunners for Disney shows that they “ are not excused fromperforming your dutiesas ashowrunnerand / or manufacturer on your serial as a result of theWGA tap . ”

Showrunners are multi - hyphenate writer - producers , which means they both write and produce . But to ask a showrunner to come to work and not make any adjustments to the book , dialogue , secret plan , or story feels like ahuge catch-22.Any writing done for a WGA - collide with party is rat work , and Disney putting pressure on employee to show their allegiance to the tummy over the trades union is … not a great look , to say the least . Adding to that , many ( if not all ) showrunners are in the WGA themselves .

The letter is dated May 3 — two days after the rap began . In it , McPhail says that a showrunner ’s agreement with a studio apartment — whether that ’s Disney , ABC , or another production — requires that showrunners “ do your showrunner and/or producing duty even if the WGA attempt to ticket you for execute such service during the strike . ”

Image: Rodin Eckenroth / Stringer (Getty Images)

The letter also includes a FAQ that is written as if writer are n’t already unionized , and contains leading questions like “ Do writers have to strike when the WGA calls a strike ? ” “ I have try that the WGA can sort out or fine members who continue work during a smash . Is this true ? ” and “ May I be substitute during a bang ? ”

It is genuinely incredible to entail that writer - producers should risk WGA fines and retaliatory action from the sum if they sense like keeping their jobs — this is how you set fire to any grace there might ’ve been at the get-go of this activity . you may read the full alphabetic character and FAQ atthe Hollywood Reporter .

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