Our American screenwriter colleagues of the WGA (Writers Guild of America) are on strike since Tuesday, May 2^nd, after their negotiations with the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers) failed.

The members of the German screenwriting Guild DDV (Deutscher Drehbuchverband) stand in unwavering solidarity and support with their American colleagues, no matter how long the strike may last.

Along with colleagues from all over the world, we firmly stand side by side with our friends at the WGA.

We are well aware, that our colleagues in the US are fighting for nothing less than the future of all screenwriters!

While views and subscription numbers of the streaming giants are soaring, writing fees are plummeting. 10 years ago, “only” 33% of the US writers worked for minimum wages, today it’s 49%, and that’s despite the fact that after Corona the entertainment industry powerfully bounced back.

At the same time, traditional working structures which have for decades ensured highest production quality and fair working conditions for writers are quickly vanishing. And ahead of us still lies the unknown and terrifying territory of AI.

No script = no film. No series. No show.

If it’s not on the page, it’s not on the stage, still holds true to this day.

And without fair pay, there is no fair play. Writers are – be it for a vast variety of workplaces or a single punchline - at the foundation of an entire industry.

How depressing would the situation for writers in the US be, if it weren’t for the overwhelming support and solidarity of the WGA writers to fight for their rights.

98%of the more than 11,000 members of the WGA in East and West voted in favor of a strike, creating a global and massive wave of attention for screenwriters.

When facing mighty studios and powerful streaming providers, you definitely need such exuberant determination, stamina and resilience.

In Germany, we too are facing groundbreaking upheavals and mighty challenges.

The members of the DDV are determined to face all the odds, be it through consistent politics or successful JRA negotiations with broadcasters, producers and streaming providers.

Last but not least, we are grateful for the newly found solidarity amongst German writers, ignited by the fusion of the former German screenwriting associations “Kontrakt 18” and “VDD”.

Dear colleagues in the US: We salute you!

May your strike inspire colleagues all around the world.

Dear German colleagues: Let’s join forces with the WGA, fighting with and for another. Join us, in our mutual goal to create a new and powerful DDV!

translated by Don Schubert, deputy board member of DDV

Thank you, Don!

German Version