On the day when Michelle Malruni was elected the president of the West West Guild, writers won a significant victory. After The writers protested STUSTING ABC “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Within a few days, the network returned the night show back to the air.
“Our currency is words and history and freedom to be able to express yourself really important, and therefore our members could not feel more about this, and, of course, we will talk, lobby and work in any way to protect this fundamental right,” Malruni said in a recent interview.
Mulroney, previously vice -president of WGA West and writer of the 2017 Power Ranges film and 2011, 2011 Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows, enters its new role at a time when the industry is faced with serious problems.
These include serious consolidation in the industry, as the studios seek to reduce expenses and move television and film production abroad from huge financial incentives. The climate was difficult for many writers who struggled to find work after he underwent a 148-day strike in 2023. After the strike, the writers provided innovative protection for AI in contracts, but they are still faced with AI models, tearing their work without compensation.
As the guild is preparing for negotiations on a contract next year, Malruni said that she plans to rely on earlier successes in AI and other areas and seeks to convince the studio to pay more for WGA medical services. Growing health expensesField
“This will need some support from the companies,” Malruni said. “Their radical rollback in production and employment led to a rather serious reduction in the industry, which contributed to some tension on our funds. We will consider them to help fix it with us. ”
When she was asked if she was thinking that there is an appetite among WGA members to another strike, Malruni replied: “It’s too early to think about it.”
“In the industry, it is really difficult for all industry workers and for many of our members, but our members show again and again that when they should, when necessary, we are ready to fight for the contract that we deserve,” Malruni said.
Manufacturers of the cinema and television alliance refused to comment, but in an earlier statement it is said that its participants are looking forward to working with her “solve key problems for the authors of WGA and strengthen our industry with fair, balanced solutions.”
The studio source, which was not authorized to comment, said that the WGA medical service plan is faced with “complex financial problems that require a balanced approach to comply with market standards and ensure long -term stability.”
To reduce expenses, the studios experienced more production in the UK and other countries that offer significant financial incentives, reducing employment opportunities for entertainment industry in Southern California. Some had to leave the state to look for work.
Trade Unions, including WGA Lobbied for California, in order to increase the annual financing of their tax benefits for cinema and television and managed to raise this amount 750 million dollarsfrom 330 million dollars.
“It was a very bright place for good news for the rest of the really gloomy and difficult time for our industry,” Malruni said in an interview last week. “Now there should be federal actions on this subject, so we will continue to work with our allies in order to try to maintain production in the United States, and, in particular, in Hollywood, in Southern California.”
Mulroney refused to comment on the renewable threat of President Trump 100% tariff In foreign films.
Another great concern for writers was artificial intelligence. WGA was more frank about The desire of studios to sue the AI company What writers say that they take their scenarios to teach artificial intelligence models without their permission. Earlier this year, the studio, including Disney, Universal and Warner Bros. Discovery accepted the lawsuit Against artificial intelligence companies from copyright violations.
“We were glad that some studios leave the parties and submitted trials to protect their copyright from these artificial intelligence companies that steal the work of our members to create their models,” she said. “I think that we will probably deal with AI and argue with this for the rest of our lives, right?”
58 -year -year -old Malruni did not dispute, having received 2241 votes or 87% of the vote, according to the trade union. The writer and joint producer of the CBS “Tracker” series Travis Donnelli became the vice president, and the television comedy show “Primo” Executive producer Peter Murrier became the secretary.
Malruni grew up in the UK, the daughter of a factory worker and a cleaner. She worked in the Council of Directors of the Trade Union within four terms and as an officer within six years before she was elected by the president.
Von Malruni was in the theater and theater, but she was always engaged in writing. At the age of 20, she worked in the development in the British television and film studio, where she read many scenarios, which made her think: “Maybe I could write one of these things.”
Her first writing concert was for the PBS children's show under the name “Wishbone”, about Jack -Rassel -terrier, who perceives himself as a character in literary classics. She was a screenwriter for 25 years and is based in Western Hollywood with her husband and letter partner, Kiran.
Malruni was replaced by Meredith Steam, who headed the union during the strike of 2023.
Kimmel, returning to the air, was a farewell gift for Steam, said Malruni, adding that the union is still watching the situation.
“We are still observing,” Malruni said. “In some way, I doubt that this is the last case when we see where censorship and freedom of speech will be a topic.”
