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The first picket line of the 2023 writers strike took over an entire New York City block Tuesday afternoon, with the WGA work stoppage official, and union strike plans in full effect.

Hundreds of writers representing all parts of the WGA East’s membership marched on 5th Avenue, between 37th and 38th streets, blocking the entrance to the Newfront presentation for Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service.

“This is viewed as an existential moment for writers,” writer, actor, producer and director Danny Strong told The Hollywood Reporter on the picket line. “I think that we are very dug in, and I think that what we’re asking for is fundamentally right and it is a basic sort of fairness. There’s more content than ever and yet writer salaries have gone significantly down because all these revenue streams have been eliminated.”

“We feel like the current financial model towards streaming in particular is unfair,...

East New York Season 1 Episode 17 Episode Description And Spoilers East New York Season 1 Episode 17 Photos Pound Of Flesh – The 7-4 investigates the suspicious death of the patriarch of a neighborhood barbecue joint who has a close connection to Suarez. Also, Haywood receives an unexpected request from her father, on East New York, Sunday, March 26 (9:00-10:00 Pm, Et/Pt) on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*. s01e17 1×17 1.17 s1e17 east new york episode Written By: Andrew Maher and Patrick Coker & Adam Wiesen Directed By: Ramaa Mosley From executive producers of “NYPD Blue,” East New York stars Amanda Warren as Deputy Inspector Regina Haywood, the newly promoted boss of the 74th Precinct in East New York – a working-class neighborhood on the edge of Brooklyn in the midst of social upheaval and the early seeds of gentrification. With family ties to the area,...

Worldwide Production Agency Hires Literary Agent Liz Orr

Worldwide Production Agency (Wpa) has hired literary agent Liz Orr. Orr will expand Wpa’s physical presence, establishing a new office in New York City. She joins from Wpa after four years as a TV Literary and Packaging Agent at Buchwald where she worked with TV and film writers, directors, and producers. Her clients include Patrick Coker & Adam Wiesen (East New York), Gary Hardwick (The Perfect Match), and Markuann Smith (Godfather of Harlem). Speaking of Orr’s new role, Wpa Managing Partners Steve Jacob and Frank Balkin said: “We’re extremely fortunate Liz has chosen to join our team – her passion for her clients and ‘artist-first’ philosophy makes her an outstanding fit with both our staff and our culture. She is a key component of our overall growth strategy to help our clients succeed.”

‘Triangle Of Sadness ’ Sweeps Sweden’s Guldbagge Awards...

The Art Directors Guild has announced that Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro will receive the esteemed William Cameron Menzies Award for his striking visuals and emotionally rich portfolio, cumulating in his latest film, “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.”

Del Toro will receive the award on Feb. 18 at the 27th Annual Art Directors Guild ceremony at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown.

The award recognizes individuals’ service to the entertainment industry through distinguished contributions to motion pictures or TV. Past honorees include Robert Osborne, John Musker and Ron Clements, Syd Mead and Denis Villeneuve.

“Guillermo del Toro has stunningly brought humanity to non-human characters and full-fledged existence to environments which could be seen as devoid of life by integrating strong narrative imagery into his collaborations with production designers,” remarked Nelson Coates, Adg president. “The Art Directors Guild is thrilled to celebrate his captivating work, which has indelibly pushed the bounds of production design to new heights.

The WGA East’s second Showrunner Academy gets underway today, with the 31-member class taking part in a program designed to support television writer-producers, upper-level writers and new show creators in honing the skills necessary to become successful showrunners and TV industry leaders.

The Academy, which provides instruction from current showrunners and other industry professionals on a wide range of topics, is led by Diana Son and Frank Pugliese.

“Being a showrunner is so much more than being the creative voice of the show,” Son said in a statement. “It’s also managing a multimillion-dollar endeavor with over 100 employees. We’re bringing in accomplished and experienced showrunners who’re willing to share the breadth of their experience – the good, bad and the ugly – so new showrunners can have a head start on figuring out what kind of showrunner they’re going to be.

Talk show host Ziwe, playwright Hilary Bettis and journalist Gabriel Sherman are among the 30 participants set for the WGA East’s first Showrunner Academy program.

The program aims to help established writers gain the training and skills needed to advance to showrunners. The academy will be led by veteran showrunners Diana Son (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”) and Frank Pugliese (“House of Cards”).

The program, which runs through November, and will include a host of panels and workshops led by prominent writers and showrunners. The list includes: “Things to Know Before Running Your First Series” with Meredith Scardino, Rj Fried and Sarah Treem; “Crisis and Risk Management for Showrunners” with Glen Mazzara; “Managing Multiple Series in Development” with Tina Fey and Robert Carlock; “Hiring Writers” with Michelle King and Elizabeth Kruger; “Managing a Comedy Writers Room and Managing a Drama Writers Room” with Carly Mensch, Liz Flahive and David Simon...

Patrick Coker and Adam Wiesen have been named the new head writers of the BET series “Tales” going into the show’s third season, Variety has learned exclusively.

The series is a scripted anthology of “song stories” weaving classic and current hip-hop songs into visual narratives from the lyrics of some of hip-hop’s greatest hits. Past episodes have covered songs like “F— the Police” by Nwa, Notorious B.I.G.’s “I Got A Story to Tell”, Meek Mill’s “Cold Hearted”, and Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen.” Season 1 of the series debuted in 2017. Season 2 then launched in 2019, including episodes based around songs like Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” and “My Mind Playing Tricks On Me” by the Geto Boys. The 10-episode second season concluded in September 2019. There is not currently a premiere date for Season 3.

Coker and Wiesen will take over from former head writer Robert Munic. Coker...