Milwaukee screenwriter reflects on how WGA strike could impact entertainment industry

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58)) -- In Hollywood, dozens of writers again took to the picket line as the second full day of the writer's strike continued.

They were joined by several famous faces who lent their support as production on many scripted shows is on hold.

The late-night talk shows were the first casualties. Stephen Colbert's Late Show is running reruns because the show is so dependent on writers processing the news of the day.

Production on scripts that are already written can continue, but no new scripts can be developed, and that means there could soon be a stoppage for virtually everything we watch and stream.

The state of Wisconsin and the city of Milwaukee have played prominent roles in some of the biggest Hollywood hits of the past several decades. But that could soon come to a crashing halt.

Kristin Holodak, an Associate Professor of Digital Media and Performing Arts at Marquette University, said, "Everything you see is written by a Guild member."

Roughly 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America are on strike, calling for fairer pay and conditions from Hollywood's studios and production companies.

Holodak said, "The Guild is more than the names you know."

Holodak is a filmmaker, cinematographer, and screenwriter, who told us, "I want writing to be a viable, middle-class profession. They're not aiming to be Shonda Rhimes. They're aiming to have a house and a family and write."

But Holodak worries a work stoppage will force writers to leave the industry. "I think the strike will absolutely winnow some people out. Whether because they realize this is too hard and not worth it, or if the strike lasts a long time and they just financially have to do something else."

As streaming shows and films have increased, production runs have shrunk. That means less work and smaller writing staffs.

Many shows are producing already-written scripts, and Holodak said summer is usually a time for reruns, so we may not notice a difference for a few months. But, she said, "Roundabout September you'll start seeing your favorite shows not coming back."

The WGA last went on strike in 2007-2008, before streaming services were big. But several network shows had their runs slashed as a result of that strike. Many never recovered and were dropped.

Holadak also said if the strike lasts long enough and people leave the industry for financial stability elsewhere, it is unlikely they'd return.