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As WGA And Studios Continue Talks Into Sunday, Why A Local Mall Is Getting Trolled
Writers Guild of America members and supporters picket in front of Warner Bros. Studio on the first day of the writers strike on May 2, 2023, in Burbank, California.
(
Brian Feinzimer
/
for LAist
)
Hollywood writers and studios are back at the negotiating table on Sunday, the fifth straight day of a round of renewed talks.
Joint Statement from WGA and AMPTP: The WGA and AMPTP met for bargaining Saturday and will meet again on Sunday. #WGAStrike
— Writers Guild of America West (@WGAWest) September 24, 2023
Anticipation has been building for a potential deal since negotiations restarted between the two sides last week.
Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), as well as from the actors union, have been on strike for months to fight for better wages and AI protections. Pickets are a common sight at a number of locations , including at Amazon in Culver City, Warner Bros. in Burbank, and Netflix in Hollywood.
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But one place has been comparatively under the radar: The Sherman Oaks Galleria.
everyone in LA waiting outside the Sherman Oaks Galleria in hopes of seeing the white smoke: pic.twitter.com/rofdlwTjrI
— Julia Wick (@sherlyholmes) September 22, 2023
The 250,000-square-foot open-air shopping center at the corner of Ventura and Sepulveda Boulevards boasts an array of contemporary consumer comforts — Starbucks, a Regal cinema, P.F. Chang, a Cheesecake Factory.
As it happens, it also houses the headquarters of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), where the group representing studios and streamers have been bargaining with the Writers Guild of America (WGA).
pulling up to the Sherman Oaks Galleria food court to get the hot negotiation tea and maybe also a Wetzel’s pic.twitter.com/EzsXCW0SnL
— Emma Dudley (@captainEmdud) September 23, 2023
As Hollywood waits for word on a deal, some are having a little fun at the expense of the suburban mall.
But what do you expect? Writers are gonna write, strike or no strike.
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If there isn't a Sherman Oaks galleria sitcom after this strike so help me gods
— Clara (@thatclarafied) September 23, 2023
Will they release smoke over the Cheesecake Factory at the Sherman Oaks Galleria if we have a deal?
— Gideon Yago (@gideonyago) September 20, 2023
The state of california must declare the Sherman Oaks Galleria a historical landmark after this
— Colin McLaughlin is a Strike Boy (@colinthecrabb) September 22, 2023
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
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