Russell T. Davies addressed the U.S. writers strike for the first time at the London Screenwriters Everywhere protest this afternoon.
Speaking with Deadline on the ground, the Doctor Who showrunner said he believes the issues around the strike haven’t been created by producers or executive producers but by the ignorance of executives at the higher boardroom level.
“These problems are not caused by producers or executive producers. They are caused by people way above at a boardroom level who I’m not even sure are listening. That’s the problem. We need to get rid of them,” Davies said.
Related Story
'The Jinx' Producer Marc Smerling Talks Strike & Streamer Over-Spend; Says He Is Developing Apple Pod On World Trade Center Bombing For Screen — Seriencamp
When asked what he thinks needs to change to end the strike, Davies said terms between writers and the studios “just need to be humane.”
Davies added that he turned up today to show solidary with the WGA and predicted that the issues writers face in the US will eventually plague the UK industry.
“I know that what happens in America happens here. These problems will be coming this way. It’s literally about solidarity with the people over there,” he said of today’s demonstration. “Some of them are starving and are having to take second jobs to just work on shows. It’s wrong, it’s a fight, and I’m behind it.”
He added: “I wish we could strike, but secondary strike action is illegal in this country, which is a shame because I’d be out there. We’re doing our best. We’re lining up and hashtagging. Does that change anything? I don’t know.”
Here Davies references UK law which means it is illegal to strike on another union’s behalf. In this case, the WGGB could not strike in support of the WGA.
Deadline was speaking to the celebrated It’s a Sin creator as scribes in more than 20 countries showed their support for U.S. writers in a global day of solidarity and action titled Screenwriters Everywhere. More than 200 people are believed to have turned up at the demonstration in London, including Black Mirror writer and creator Charlie Brooker and Enola Holmes writer Jack Throne. WGGB President Sandi Toksvig also addressed the full gathering.
Actions are taking place across the globe including at Netflix’s office in Seoul, South Korea, Apple and Amazon in Canada, the European Parliament in Brussels and the Eiffel Tower.
The writers strike is well into its second month and shows no signs of abating. The WGGB has urged all of its members to refuse work on WGA projects since the dispute and other unions from around the world have made similar demands.
You can see the full list of today’s actions below:
Netflix, Buenos Aires, Argentina
European Parliament, Brussels
Apple and Amazon, Canada
National Assembly, Bulgaria
FoxTelecolombia, Colombia
Eiffel Tower, France
Cologne Cathedral, Germany
Tel Aviv Central Library, Israel
Estudios Churubusco, Mexico
EYE Film Museum, Netherlands
Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Poland
Netflix, Seoul, South Korea
Filmoteca de Catalunya and Valenciana, Spain
The Riksdag, Sweden
Leicester Square, London, United Kingdom
Must Read Stories
‘Screenwriters Everywhere’: Global Solidarity Day Kicks Off In Around 20 Countries
Chris Meledandri & Pharrell Williams; Guillermo Del Toro; Vicky Jenson On ‘Spellbound’
Hoping Not To Be Gone In A ‘Flash’: Ezra Miller DC Pic Eyes $155M+ Global Bow
Jason Bateman To Star In & Direct ‘Daddy Ball’ Series As Netflix, Aggregate Win Bidding
Read More About:
Source: Read Full Article
