The launch of Warner Bros. Discovery’s new merged Max streaming service last monthdidn’t come without some hiccups. Chief among them in the minds of creatives, however, was the frustrating decision to label writers, directors, and other members of the creative teams of television series and films allunder the confusing label of “creators.“It understandably drew the ire of the striking Writer’s Guild of America who saw their individual roles erased at a tenuous time in the industry. Now, one month into the service’s life, nothing has changed on that front.At the time, Max saidit could take “weeks” to get the changes finalizedconsidering all the data that would have to be transferred into its respective categories. With each passing day, however, it only gets more baffling that such a blatant credits violation is still up for all to see, especially since the platform’s predecessor, HBO Max, detailed the individual roles of creatives on its credits page. It doesn’t matter if it’s an older HBO classic likeEastbound & Downor a more recent series likeThe Last of Usor evenThe Idolwhich is currently airing. All still lump in series creators likeDanny McBride, Craig Mazin, andSam Levinsonin with executive producers likeWill Ferrell,Carolyn Strauss, andJoe Epsteinwith no clarification.This gets especially infuriating in the case of something likeAvatar: The Way of Water. Despitelaunching on Max on June 7, over two weeks after the platform’s rebranding, it still has the creators label withJames Cameron, the director and main writer and producer of the film, listed fourth in the credits. It’s not just a lack of movement on Max’s part, but an unwillingness to make the change for new titles as they’re added. In other words, there’s been next to no urgency.RELATED:Over 70% of HBO Max and Discovery+ Users Have Made the Switch to Max
What Do WGA Members Have to Say About the Continued “Creators” Debacle?
Naturally, the glacial pace of action on Max drew the ire of WGA members including one of the union’s captainsShawn Wineswho chided the creators label’s continued existence on Twitter. “So do they think that if they don’t change it we’ll just be like… cool never mind…?“added Emmy nomineeLiz Hannahwho served as a writer and executive producer aboardThe Dropoutand as a writer and producer onMindhunteramong other things. It’s fair to say that, between the creators debacle,David Zaslav’sinvolvement in pushing against the WGA’s demandswith the writer’s strike, andall the sudden removals of series and filmsWarner Bros. Discovery has been responsible for, Max has earned a particularly foul reputation with creatives over the past year.
Again, this insulting display remains as writers are stillstriking for fair wagesthat better fit rising inflation and changes within the industry. As writers are asked to take on more and more responsibilities, they merely want proper compensation and credit for all that they do through all phases of a title’s creation. They’re also seeking protection from A.I., a fear that only continues to rise especially afterMarvel’sSecret Invasionseries utilized an A.I.-generated openingsequence. Although the Director’s Guild of Americawas able to come to a deal with the AMPTP, things could get uglier still as the Screen Actors Guildcould potentially strike as well.
Collider’s ownTherese LacsonandMike Muneyhave a full write-up onwhat the writer’s strike means for youif you want to learn more. Stay tuned for more on the strike and how the Max service responds.
