It is evident from the ongoing strike that not only can writers make the protest signs witty and funny, but they can also do it while conveying what they truly want.
We all know that writers can be funny when they want to be. But if there were ever any doubts about their sense of humor and ability to wield words, there should not be any after seeing the signs that have been making appearances at the 2023 Writers Guild of America (W.G.A.) strike.
The W.G.A. went on strike this month after their contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed. The union said in a press release that it asked for "fair pay that reflects the value of our contribution to company success and includes protections to ensure that writing survives as a sustainable profession.”
“The companies’ behavior has created a gig economy inside a union workforce, and their immovable stance in this negotiation has betrayed a commitment to further devaluing the profession of writing," the union added. "From their refusal to guarantee any level of weekly employment in episodic television, to the creation of a ‘day rate’ in comedy variety, to their stonewalling on free work for screenwriters and on AI for all writers, they have closed the door on their labor force and opened the door to writing as an entirely freelance profession. No such deal could ever be contemplated by this membership.”
Now, the streets of New York and Los Angeles are filled with hilarious signs that are taking digs at studios, streaming services and networks. But their finest work can be seen in their signs against artificial intelligence. As AI is now being used to write film and television scripts, writers are protesting against it. Here are some of the signs that will make you think, laugh and support the writers in their strike.
Michael Jamin is one of the best. #writersstrike @WGAWest @WGAEast pic.twitter.com/yWqRTOHKgJ
— Matt🚀Rodgers (@Matt_Rodgers42) May 3, 2023
"LET'S REPLACE STUDIO EXECS WITH A.I." ✊🏽 @chescaleigh #WritersStrike #WritersGuildofAmerica pic.twitter.com/92lkceffFe
— Jenny Yang is in LA Sun May 21st 4pm Self Help Me (@jennyyangtv) May 3, 2023
HBO, de Max solo tiene el nombre. #WGAStrike #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/2Rf6DyKy6j
— Emanuel Juárez (@EmaJuarezOk) May 3, 2023
Nobody wants to strike, but in my experience as a writer/director/producer, writing, which is by far the most important job of the three, is the most undervalued. I've been WGA for seven years, which means 7 years of health insurance b/c others fought for it #WGA #writersstrike pic.twitter.com/wBNGC9WeDP
— Terry Miles (@tkmiles) May 3, 2023
"SURE, I SUPPORT 'A.I.'...
— Jenny Yang is in LA Sun May 21st 4pm Self Help Me (@jennyyangtv) May 3, 2023
*A*ll our terms being met
*I*n a fair & timely manner"
✊🏽 @jonnysun #WritersStrike #WritersGuildofAmerica pic.twitter.com/OxeJwxc2I9
.@quintabrunson's sign: "AI can't write Tariq's raps!" https://t.co/2m9TjL9bUL
— Marina Fang (@marinafang) May 4, 2023
Live from day 2 of #writersstrike in front of Netflix’s Manhattan offices, a fitting location given how streaming is central to all of this. Some sign highlights: pic.twitter.com/aeybDfAp6N
— Marina Fang (@marinafang) May 3, 2023
These #writersstrike picket signs are so good.
— 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝙅𝙖𝙘𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨 𝘿𝙚𝙢𝙮 is pro WGA (@EmmaTolkin) May 2, 2023
“‘I’M MAD AS HELL AND I’M NOT GOING GO TAKE THIS ANYMORE’ WAS NOT WRITTEN BY A PRODUCER!” pic.twitter.com/UV4rkQGmfy
Several reporters today were walking around asking writers how long we’d *actually* be willing to strike. I don’t know dude, how long do you think it’ll take 11,000 unemployed writers to run out of sign ideas? #wgastrong #writersstrike pic.twitter.com/C0cq81jTcF
— mah ree nah (@marinarachael) May 3, 2023
"YOU CAME UP WITH QUIBI"#WritersStrike #WritersGuildofAmerica pic.twitter.com/2tQkYIgLm1
— Jenny Yang is in LA Sun May 21st 4pm Self Help Me (@jennyyangtv) May 3, 2023
Un aplauso para ella. #WGAStrike #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/HIvu8rLcuh
— Emanuel Juárez (@EmaJuarezOk) May 3, 2023
"AMPTP: THIS IS NOT THE WAY"#WritersStrike #WritersGuildofAmerica pic.twitter.com/KUN0w0j72n
— Jenny Yang is in LA Sun May 21st 4pm Self Help Me (@jennyyangtv) May 3, 2023
If this doesn’t scare you #wga #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/HUqclM9e1C
— Taietsarón:sere (@tai_leclaire) May 4, 2023
Roy Kent, you f**king legend! #WGAStrike #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/xaJ72kn5fn
— Emanuel Juárez (@EmaJuarezOk) May 3, 2023
hmm... great writing #WritersGuildofAmerica #writersstrike pic.twitter.com/XM0n4Akpce
— Jacques Hyzagi (@jacques_hyzagi) May 3, 2023
SOMEBODY GET @officialkhia ON THE PHONE 📞 #writersstrike pic.twitter.com/6HWW0wUKzR
— BARRY MORRISON (@IGNASHOUS) May 3, 2023
The Writers Guild of America Strike: Actual sign spotted on the picket line... pic.twitter.com/sbUYeNKRhO
— Tom Ruegger (@tomruegger) May 5, 2023