They refused the whole time.
As the lead negotiator, what is your perspective on what went down on Monday?
STUTZMAN:I wish any of that were true.
Ellen StutzmanGetty/Dominic Patten
We didnt walk out.
DEADLINE:And their response?
STUTZMAN:They refused the whole time.
WGA picket line outside Netflix offices in Los AngelesDominic Patten
And thats not acceptable to writers.
STUTZMAN:Thats a very good question.
DEADLINE:Were standing next to the WGA picket line here at Netflix on Sunset.
I think weve made clear whats needed to improve residuals because these companies have cut out the middleman.
It used to be revenue, now its viewers.
And they want it to be a freelance gig economy, and theyre fine with that.
What was the give-and-take over the negotiating table with the AMPTP about that?
STUTZMAN:(Laughs) There was no give-and-take.
STUTZMAN:They dont want to do it.
They dont want to be transparent.
And thats a problem for this entire town.
Theyre going have to start telling people who watches these shows and how many, and thats it.
Thats a key demand.
You create the most profitable entertainment content in the world.
And youve got to address AI.
Thats it, and that is unacceptable.
They only exist because theyve taken all my members and everyone else has written to create some generative text.
And so, it has to be dealt with in this negotiation, and they would not address it.
DEADLINE:Back in 2008, the studios eventually adopted a divide-and-conquer strategy to end the last WGA strike.
STIUTZMAN:I think that the whatever deal Directors Guild makes cannot address writer issues.
So f the companies think thats the solution like it was in 2007-2008, they are dead wrong.
Its a big debut for anyone what was it like for you?
STUTZMAN:Well, Ive been in negotiations since 2014.
So I have a lot of experience being in there.
We have an amazing staff.
We are always willing to talk.
So theyre going have to come and make a deal.
