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'Stranger Things,' 'Evil,' Plus Other Shutdowns for Which the Studios Are To Blame

By Dustin Rowles | TV | May 8, 2023 |

By Dustin Rowles | TV | May 8, 2023 |


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I know it goes without saying, but let’s spell it out anyway: Writing is integral to the production of movies and television shows. Writing does not always end when the script is turned in. Sometimes, tweaks are needed to suit a character or a setting change. Sometimes, complete rewrites are necessary. It is often helpful to have a writer on set to tailor lines or punch them up or write them on the fly.

The Duffer Brothers recognize that. Over the weekend, they shut down production on the fifth and final season of Netflix’s golden egg, Stranger Things. “Writing does not stop when filming begins,” they wrote on Twitter. “While we’re excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike. We hope a fair deal is reached soon so we can all get back to work. Until then —- over and out. #wgastrong.”

The strike has also resulted in Paramount+’s Evil shutting down production early and wrapping season four earlier than anticipated. It’s unclear how much shooting was still left, but after disruptions from the strike delayed shooting, a cast member had to leave for a personal matter resulting in an abrupt end to the season. It may not affect the bottom line over on Paramount+, but it’s really going to piss off fans, and by that, I mean: Me. Stop dragging your feet, studios! Instead of losing $400 million before you agree to pay the writers an additional $400 million, do it now and save yourself the money and the hassle. The WGA is not going to buckle on the mini rooms and the mandatory staff minimums. Writing is such a huge and necessary part of the creative process, and writers are paid so disproportionately little. Pony up!

Meanwhile, I know that production on Andor and House of the Dragon is continuing in spite of the strike because scripts have already been turned in, but come on! Those are two series driven by writing and character, and two shows that could benefit the most by having a writer on hand. Don’t shortchange viewers over less than half the worldwide box office of a Mario film.

Stranger Things and Evil join several other shows that have halted production because the studios refuse to pay writers what they are worth, including Yellowjackets season 3, Abbott Elementary season 3, and the final season of Netflix’s Cobra Kai.

In the meantime, I have seen some well-meaning people who want to support the writers suggest they are going to unsubscribe to a streaming service or refuse to watch a particular TV series or movie. I don’t think it’s helpful to protest on behalf of the writers by not consuming the content the writers create! Instead, try donating to the cause, or help the collective effort to make this PR nightmare as messy as possible for the studios. That starts by not blaming the writers’ strike for the shutdown. Blame the shutdowns on the studios for not paying their writers fairly.