Post-Strike Hollywood: New Opportunities and Challenges in the Global Film Landscape
Following the 118-day SAG-AFTRA strike, the U.S. film and TV industry is witnessing a revival. However, this return is not without its challenges.
The strike, which affected the global film and TV landscape, has led to a backlog in productions, particularly in Europe, raising concerns about a bottleneck effect.
In Italy, Nicola Maccanico, the CEO of Cinecittà Studios, welcomed the strike’s end with optimism, foreseeing a resurgence in productions. “There is an immediate feeling that we are restarting again.” This sentiment is particularly significant for Cinecittà Studios, a hub for smaller and larger productions. Maccanico highlighted the success of the revamped Rome facilities, emphasizing a robust 2023 with noteworthy projects such as the Netflix period soap The Decameron and Roland Emmerich’s grand gladiator series Those About to Die, shot on the backlot. Remarkably, Those About to Die managed to continue shooting even during the strike, completing scenes featuring Anthony Hopkins as Roman Emperor Vespasian before the July 14 deadline. Despite the strike’s disruption, the studio showcased resilience, maintaining production on key projects during the year’s first seven months. Maccanico anticipates a busy 2024 but acknowledges a pause in activity after the conclusion of these significant productions. He shared that the studio spent the past few months contemplating the post-strike scenario, discussing potential projects and collaborations. “Now we can take a leap forward and lock in several series and movies that will be landing at Cinecittà in the first quarter of 2024.” However, he refrained from providing specific details, citing non-disclosure agreements governing these upcoming projects.
This optimistic outlook signals a positive resurgence for Cinecittà Studios. It reinforces Italy’s appeal as a desirable location for international film and TV productions, particularly efficient after the 40% cash back production rebate attracting prominent Hollywood productions like last year’s The White Lotus Season 2 and Netflix’s highly anticipated The Old Guard 2.
In Paris, the post-strike restart creates logistical challenges in securing sets and managing schedules. The 2024 Olympics will restrict filming between June and September 2024, pushing productions like Netflix’s Emily in Paris and Amazon Prime’s Etoile to start in January 2024. However, this rush poses logistical challenges, including securing sets, managing actor schedules, and handling post-production demands.
In Malta, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 resumed production after a four-month hiatus. Unfortunately, the ancient Rome open-air set – including a life-sized Coliseum – has deteriorated since July 14, when the sequel was shut down. Substantial modifications and repairs were essential to restore the set to its original grandeur before the restart.
In the U.K. the close ties with Hollywood have pronounced the strike’s effects in the country significantly. The premiere of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in London signals a positive turn, with industry insiders expressing relief that the
strike is finally over.
However, the horizon is far from bright. Hollywood faces substantial strike-related losses estimated at $6.5 billion, particularly affecting below-the-line workers. Further labor discussions loom, potentially disrupting the industry again. In fact, IATSE, the below-the-line union, is gearing up for negotiations, potentially leading to further disruptions. The growing labor movement in the U.S. could impact Hollywood intermittently, adding another layer of uncertainty for the industry.
The strike’s aftermath also unveils a changed entertainment landscape marked by unintended consequences and challenges. Producers, once central to the filmmaking process, are now facing potential marginalization or undermining, even when they generate material independently. This raises questions about the future of producer-driven projects and the potential impact on the next big hit.
Moreover, the cost-cutting measures adopted by studios and streaming platforms are reshaping the industry. Pure development deals are expected to decrease, with a focus on delivering successful projects to secure payments. In conclusion, as Hollywood navigates the post-strike era, balancing new opportunities with logistical, financial, and labor challenges will be critical. The industry must adapt to a landscape marked by these unintended consequences, striving to maintain its global influence and creativity.
Share:
Bob Iger's Second Act at Disney: Navigating Challenges in the Streaming Era
The Evolving Landscape of Concert Ticket Pricing: Impact on the Resale MarketRelated Posts
Following the 118-day SAG-AFTRA strike, the U.S. film and TV industry is witnessing a revival. However, this return is not without its challenges.
The strike, which affected the global film and TV landscape, has led to a backlog in productions, particularly in Europe, raising concerns about a bottleneck effect.
In Italy, Nicola Maccanico, the CEO of Cinecittà Studios, welcomed the strike’s end with optimism, foreseeing a resurgence in productions. “There is an immediate feeling that we are restarting again.” This sentiment is particularly significant for Cinecittà Studios, a hub for smaller and larger productions. Maccanico highlighted the success of the revamped Rome facilities, emphasizing a robust 2023 with noteworthy projects such as the Netflix period soap The Decameron and Roland Emmerich’s grand gladiator series Those About to Die, shot on the backlot. Remarkably, Those About to Die managed to continue shooting even during the strike, completing scenes featuring Anthony Hopkins as Roman Emperor Vespasian before the July 14 deadline. Despite the strike’s disruption, the studio showcased resilience, maintaining production on key projects during the year’s first seven months. Maccanico anticipates a busy 2024 but acknowledges a pause in activity after the conclusion of these significant productions. He shared that the studio spent the past few months contemplating the post-strike scenario, discussing potential projects and collaborations. “Now we can take a leap forward and lock in several series and movies that will be landing at Cinecittà in the first quarter of 2024.” However, he refrained from providing specific details, citing non-disclosure agreements governing these upcoming projects.
This optimistic outlook signals a positive resurgence for Cinecittà Studios. It reinforces Italy’s appeal as a desirable location for international film and TV productions, particularly efficient after the 40% cash back production rebate attracting prominent Hollywood productions like last year’s The White Lotus Season 2 and Netflix’s highly anticipated The Old Guard 2.
In Paris, the post-strike restart creates logistical challenges in securing sets and managing schedules. The 2024 Olympics will restrict filming between June and September 2024, pushing productions like Netflix’s Emily in Paris and Amazon Prime’s Etoile to start in January 2024. However, this rush poses logistical challenges, including securing sets, managing actor schedules, and handling post-production demands.
In Malta, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 resumed production after a four-month hiatus. Unfortunately, the ancient Rome open-air set – including a life-sized Coliseum – has deteriorated since July 14, when the sequel was shut down. Substantial modifications and repairs were essential to restore the set to its original grandeur before the restart.
In the U.K. the close ties with Hollywood have pronounced the strike’s effects in the country significantly. The premiere of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in London signals a positive turn, with industry insiders expressing relief that the
strike is finally over.
However, the horizon is far from bright. Hollywood faces substantial strike-related losses estimated at $6.5 billion, particularly affecting below-the-line workers. Further labor discussions loom, potentially disrupting the industry again. In fact, IATSE, the below-the-line union, is gearing up for negotiations, potentially leading to further disruptions. The growing labor movement in the U.S. could impact Hollywood intermittently, adding another layer of uncertainty for the industry.
The strike’s aftermath also unveils a changed entertainment landscape marked by unintended consequences and challenges. Producers, once central to the filmmaking process, are now facing potential marginalization or undermining, even when they generate material independently. This raises questions about the future of producer-driven projects and the potential impact on the next big hit.
Moreover, the cost-cutting measures adopted by studios and streaming platforms are reshaping the industry. Pure development deals are expected to decrease, with a focus on delivering successful projects to secure payments. In conclusion, as Hollywood navigates the post-strike era, balancing new opportunities with logistical, financial, and labor challenges will be critical. The industry must adapt to a landscape marked by these unintended consequences, striving to maintain its global influence and creativity.
Share:
Bob Iger's Second Act at Disney: Navigating Challenges in the Streaming EraThe Evolving Landscape of Concert Ticket Pricing: Impact on the Resale Market
