The allure of the silver screen has long delighted audiences worldwide, but make no mistake — Hollywood is changing. The impact of strikes, the rise of compelling new documentaries, and the cancellation of popular shows are shifting what we’ll watch this year and which new movies and shows we’ll fall in love with.
This cinematic shift is not merely about the art of storytelling or our favorite movies’ box office performances.
It’s a sign that the entertainment industry is trying to move in a new direction.
For decades, we saw Hollywood as glamorous, blemish-free, and larger-than-life. But under Hollywood’s golden exterior lies a long-lasting tangle of power, oppression, and harm to many writers and actors.
In May 2023, over 11,500 writers, actors, and producers initiated a strike to demand fair wages and better working conditions. For the next six months, members of both the SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America picketed, protested, and fought for the entertainment industry to recognize its own inequity. As the first “double strike” in 63 years, this movement made history for its scale. Due to the strikes, TV shows and movies halted production, actors and writers followed rigid rules on project promotion, and executives canceled many “fan favorite” shows altogether.
With 125 show cancellations in 2023 — many due to the strikes — it’s clear that Hollywood needs to make significant changes.
Although the recent surge of strikes in the entertainment industry helped promote the importance of fair wages and safe working conditions, certain groups, particularly women and BIPOC writers and actors, still fight an uphill battle for the entertainment industry to respect them, pay them fairly, and not cause them lasting harm. The strikes aren’t the only sign of this disparity in Hollywood — a recent spate of documentaries, like “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” reveals the racism and sexism that lurks both on set and in writers’ rooms to children and adults alike. The actors and writers who spoke up about their experiences and shed light on the discrimination they faced are taking an important step towards change, but to truly shift away from these harmful dynamics, the industry itself has to safeguard its players.
Perhaps the problematic undercurrent of Hollywood contributes to the number of up-and-coming creators — culinarians, comics, models, and performers — that permeate YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. These creators are diverse in background and talent, and they can garner fame on social media without the laws and regulations that dictate Hollywood’s entertainment industry. Some influencers have even put out music or been offered movie roles due to their sheer popularity, but the rest can enjoy their growing spotlight and rack up income outside of the tumultuous underbelly of Hollywood.
As film and TV production teeters on a rollercoaster, halted for months and potentially even years, the entertainment industry finds itself at the epicenter of a profound shift. Hollywood seems to be in trouble right now, but this shift towards better working conditions and honest conversations about stardom can spark a new era. However, the changes Hollywood is experiencing also underscore the blurred line between traditional and digital stardom, adding to the industry’s current flux.
Hollywood narrowed down our entertainment choices, but amidst the turmoil, there’s still success.
Streaming platforms are delivering new movies that have captured our attention. And even though fewer people go to the movies post-pandemic, this past year, several box office hits had everyone’s attention, particularly thanks to 2023’s highly successful “Barbenheimer summer.” Furthermore, though last year brought the cancellation of many shows, new shows are in the works, and with more diversity than ever on screen, brand-new audiences will likely tune in. The shutdown in Hollywood slowed down the traditional hallmarks of success in the industry, but it certainly won’t stop the steps forward.
Although there may be less content for us to consume now, with Hollywood shifting away from the problems of the past and writers and actors fighting for change for the future, the entertainment industry is on a precipice. Will it continue to flourish, or will Hollywood’s star slowly burn out? Only time will tell, but with so many crucial steps forward, the future of the entertainment industry could be more promising than ever.
Featured Photo via Google Creative Commons.
I totaly google agree with your post
She is not the most beutifull of all. I do not know what people has seen in her? for me she is just a weirdo.
Reliable Garage Door Solutions in Peachtree GA
Magic Red Casino in Canada really lives up to its name with a magical gaming experience. The variety of slots and table games is phenomenal, and the security measures give me total peace of mind. Their customer support is always friendly and prompt. I’d say Magic Red is a must-try for both newbies and seasoned players.
Hi! Recently, I wanted to move my fridge to my new place of residence, but I couldn’t do it with my car because my fridge is too big to fit in my car, then I contacted – single item moving service and they moved my fridge quickly!! I recommend you to try this service. Good luck with your move, bye!