As the Writers Guild strike stretches into its fourth week,Michael Schuris feeling resolute.
SCHUR: Theres been no discussions with the companies since the day we called the strike.
We didnt anticipate there would be; the balls entirely in their court.
Michael Schur makes an appearance on the Amazon Studios picket line on Friday, May 19Matt Grobar/Deadline
Currently though, our negotiationisthe strike.
Thats what were doing now, is negotiating with the unity and the solidarity of the Writing Guild.
So, the temperature among the writers has been great.
Im at Amazon today.
And everyones really supportive.
People feel very unified.
I think people are really fired up.
The problems that face the Writers Guild have affected literally every writer at every level.
And thats great because it means that everybody understands why were doing this.
So, its been really lovely.
Striking is not fun, but being amongst other writers is.
DEADLINE:How do you see the situation this contract cycle, as far as solidarity amongst theguilds?
That has been wonderful, and again, I think its because everyone is feeling the squeeze.
So, thats been great.
As far as whats going on with the DGA and SAG, we dont know.
Theyre different unions, they have their own priorities, they have their own strike agendas and negotiation agendas.
Were in touch with them, but its kind of none of our business at some level.
Thats all we want for any of these unions is to get a good deal, right?
So, the inter-guildsolidarity has been great.
They are handling their own business as they should.
So well see what happens, you know?
Well see what happens with the DGA, and then SAG, and then probably us after that.
So it wasnt surprising.
I mean, the sort of diabolical cost-cutting thirst of the companies has consequences.
You cant not pay the people who make the stuff you sell.
But you cannot treat labor forces this way and expect them not to have a reaction.
Do you see that kind of dynamic factoring into the situation?
SCHUR:No, I really dont.
I am a showrunner-level writer; I was just walking with a bunch of very young writers.
That sucks; they should.
And there are writers who are very young and who are out here for the same reason.
Like, I want this to be my career and it cant be.
Late-night comedy variety writers cant make a living.
At its base level, no one can make a living.
I dont sense that at all.
I dont feel it.
I dont think its true.
And youre like, Well, according to whom?
SCHUR: Look, there are 600 television shows; theresoneMike White.
The purpose of the guild is to protect the 599 people who arent that one person, right?
Its like, [the Los Angeles Angels] Shohei Ohtan is a hitter and a pitcher.
I think thats a fair deal.
We anticipated that they would use that argument.
We heard that argument; we have counteracted that argument.
That argument is boring, and I wish people would stop bringing it up.
SCHUR: Its not hard, honestly.
You just have to look into the future.
Artists are complaining, visual artists are complaining, musicians are complaining.
But its also important to note that like this is one small part, right?
AI is not the thing we are striking over.
They dont want to pay us; they dont want us to be paid weekly.
Thats not a recipe for a stable workforce, or frankly, for success for them.
Theyre not going to build good shows out of that, or movies out of that.
That would be a step towards ending the strike.
But thats not the only thing thats going on here, or the only thing were fighting for.
DEADLINE:What will it take to keepmomentum up amongst guild members, should the strike extend for months?
And it also tends to educate them and make them feel like they know what were fighting for.
That doesnt mean its not going to be hard.
Its hard to walk in a circle for hours at a time.
Its hard not to be in TV writers rooms or working on screenplays or pitching ideas.
Thats what we want to be doing; we dont want to be doing this.
So, were going to keep doing what were doing because so far, its working.
