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Asian filmmakers watch Hollywood strikes with hope and frustration

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Summary

In South Korea, local filmmakers are expressing concerns about Netflix's labor practices. They are watching the Hollywood strike with hope that it will give them more bargaining power and a precedent to follow. Netflix has offered contracts to South Korean production companies in exchange for them assuming all financial risks, but with the catch that Netflix will own all copyrights. Netflix disputes the lack of residual payments, but industry groups feel that Netflix has not been paying them fairly. Meanwhile, in India, there is a fight for a basic minimum fee for screenwriters, led by Anjum Rajabali. The U.S. strike may not have a direct effect on India yet, but it establishes a precedent that writers are unwilling to back down from what they need in terms of rights protection. It is hoped that Netflix will recognize the need for residual payments as part of their R&D budget.

Q&As

What is the main focus of the article?
The main focus of the article is the impact of the Hollywood strike on Asian filmmakers, particularly those in South Korea and India.

How did Netflix's entry into South Korea benefit local filmmakers?
Netflix's entry into South Korea benefited local filmmakers by providing them with better opportunities, investing significant chunks of cash, and providing a way for Koreans to show off their work to foreign audiences.

What are the implications of the Hollywood strike for overseas creators?
The implications of the Hollywood strike for overseas creators is that any concessions earned by striking workers in the United States would not be shared by overseas creators.

How have labor practices in South Korea's film industry changed since Netflix's arrival?
Labor practices in South Korea's film industry have changed little since Netflix's arrival, as streaming companies have been accused of sidestepping collective bargaining in jurisdictions outside the United States.

What are the potential benefits for Netflix from paying writers, actors and directors residuals?
The potential benefits for Netflix from paying writers, actors and directors residuals is that it could be seen as part of their R&D budget, and it would be a win for Netflix if writers, actors and directors get their fair share.

AI Comments

👍 This article does a great job of highlighting the South Korean film industry's love-hate relationship with Netflix and how the Hollywood strike is affecting workers in other countries.

👎 This article fails to address the underlying structural issues that cause filmmakers in South Korea and India to be underpaid and overworked.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about Asian filmmakers watching Hollywood's biggest strike in six decades with hope that it will give them more bargaining power and a precedent to follow. It talks about how Netflix has given South Korean production companies better opportunities, but that Netflix has not been paying South Korean workers residuals, which are royalties that directors, writers or actors receive if their work is rebroadcast. It also talks about the struggles of Indian filmmakers and how the U.S. streaming giants have benefited from the popularity of Indian and “hallyu” (meaning “Korean wave”) productions.

Friend: Wow, that's a lot of information! What are the implications of this article?

Me: Well, the article suggests that the current labor practices in the Asian film industry are inadequate, and that the U.S. strike could set a precedent for change. It also suggests that U.S. streaming giants are benefiting from the popularity of Asian productions while refusing to pay residuals or negotiate wages. If the strike in Hollywood is successful, it could have a ripple effect in other countries, giving Asian filmmakers more bargaining power and a better chance of getting fair wages for their work.

Action items

Research labor laws in your country to understand the rights of workers and how to protect them.
Reach out to local unions and industry groups to discuss collective bargaining and the potential for residual payments.
Join forces with other filmmakers and content creators to advocate for better labor practices and fair wages.

Technical terms

Residuals: Royalties that directors, writers or actors receive if their work is rebroadcast.
Hallyu: A term meaning “Korean wave”, referring to the popularity of Korean productions.
Collective Bargaining: Negotiations between employers and a group of employees to determine conditions of employment.
Feudal Shadow: A term used to describe the unequal power dynamics between employers and employees in certain countries.
Ripple Effect: A term used to describe the effect of an event or action that spreads outwards and affects other related events or actions.