A viral interview with an anonymous Apple executive has lit the internet on fire this weekend. Performed by Rick Ellis of AllYourScreens, the interview goes deep into Apple's process when it comes to running their TV side of the business.
The interview began with a question about the ongoing WGA strike. The executive admitted that the strike is not something they are directly involved with, but then proceeded to explain Apple's position in the industry.
"Like most of the people aren’t C-suite management, I am sympathetic to a lot of the arguments put forth by writers. I think the current mini-room situation has had a real impact on the future of our industry, and we definitely need to figure out a way to train young writers," the anonymous Apple executive said. "That being said, this is all about money. Any streaming platform is looking for cost savings anywhere they can be found. Is it coming out of the writer’s pockets? For sure. But it’s not personal. This isn’t a matter of not wanting to pay writers what they’re worth. But when we are trying to watch budgets, you cut anywhere you can. And the truth is that includes writers and other support staff.
The executive punctuated their statement by saying, "Which gets back to my point about the strike. The only way writers will get more money or time or anything else is by getting what they want into a contract."
'Silo'Credit: Apple TV+
Since the strike began on May 1st, writers have been talking about making sure screenwriting doesn't become a gig job. The worry is that the rising costs of living in Los Angeles are pricing out people whose voices are needed in Hollywood. In addition to that, the current climate for writers in the industry is creating an unstable environment for the next generation.
I've often feared executives just do not care about these worries. Especially when their pay is getting drastically higher every year, with many in the tens of millions. When asked about executive pay and writer demands, the anonymous Apple executive confirmed most of my suspicions.
They said, "It's a fine PR move, but it doesn't move the dial in negotiations. Media companies don't see the world that way. You could cut the CEO pay in half, but that doesn't mean the money will end up in the pockets of writers. This isn't a situation where streaming companies don't appreciate the value of writing in the content ecosystem. We do. But we will pay the absolute minimum we can."
"I see people online blaming streaming for all of this. But this is how all businesses work. When a company moves its factory to Mexico or its customer service functions to Costa Rica, it's not personal. It's not because that company's executives hate their employees or don't value them. It's just a simple profit/loss equation. And that's [the] case here," the Apple executive said. "Streaming platforms are going to pay the least amount they can for everything–writers included. I don't mean to sound like a dick, but writers tend to be smart and love what they do. But they can also think they're the center of the fucking universe. I know this strike is personal for them. I get it, I'd feel the same way. But this is all just numbers for the studios. What's the least amount we can get away with paying for everything?"
'Severance'Credit: Apple TV+
Look, I'm not here to get on my soapbox. I understand that commerce matters to huge corporations, but Hollywood is supposed to be where art meets commerce. Just making movies and TV to make the bottom line or balance your spreadsheet is not a good reason to try to be in this business.
I often wonder why these places even opened streaming wings. It can take years and a ton of talent to even make ends meet in Hollywood, forcing creatives into a box and asking them to make things profitable right away was never a good business plan.
But this is where we are, and this is why we're on the picket lines.
'Shrinking'Credit: Apple TV+
It turns out that you might want to talk to your unions or unionize because they're very afraid of that.
The Apple executive was candid when it came to writers talking about how the companies they're striking against are losing more money than the writers are asking for per year. For them, it comes down to worrying all workers across the world will begin to demand what they're worth.
They said, "Again, it's apples and oranges. It's not that simple. Let's say agreeing to every union demand would cost $40 million a year. That's not a one-off $40 million cost. That's at least $40 million a year forever. Because that now sets a higher minimum cost for everything and that expense will only increase in future negotiations. But that contract also sets the bar for writers in other territories. Or encourages industries in some countries to unionize in order to make more money. It's not so much the direct costs of the WGA deal. It's all of the fallout costs across the company."
My hope is that people across unions can make sure the slice of the pie we get for the work we create is enough to let us live out our dreams, and that these schmucks get what's coming to them.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
Source: AllYourScreens
