The Great Writers Strike of 2023 is On!

It’s official.

Time to start the deathroll for TV shows that will fall this time.

And movies. If it's a short strike, we probably won't notice anything, but if it goes on for more than a month, that's going to screw with release dates of stuff that's just starting to go into production. A lot of films will have the screenwriter on the set because sometimes something that seems to work on the page doesn't when you act it out, so you've got to have the writer there to either come up with something or sign off on changes to the script if the actors improvise. And the WGA rules are so strict that if they found out you took the opportunity of the strike to write that script you've always wanted to do but never had the time to? They're going to fine you, at the very least.

We can also expect to see a mad scramble by all the networks/streaming services to do "reality TV," which despite the fact that the shows are as scripted as anything else on TV, are somehow exempt.

You know that one show that keeps you from comitting suicide?
That's the one that's going to be cancelled.
Start making final exit plans now.

I hope it's Starfleet Academy and the Section 31 movie.

Nope, Strange New Worlds, and we're all going to die.

And the JJ Superman movie.

Gonna be fun today exploring how this might impact us at work.

Nope, turns out Trek banked enough stuff, so we're good.

https://trekmovie.com/2023/05/02/how-the-writers-strike-could-impact-star-trek/

Let's hope so.

Writing isn't that hard, right?

FADE IN:
INT. USS DISCOVERY – BRIDGE
The USS Discovery is traveling through space when suddenly, the ship is rocked by an explosion.
MICHAEL BURNHAM, the first officer of the Discovery, rushes to the bridge to find the crew in a state of panic.
MICHAEL BURNHAM
Report! What's going on?
ENSIGN TILLY, the ship's navigator, turns to Burnham.
ENSIGN TILLY
We've encountered the Borg!
MICHAEL BURNHAM
The Borg? But they've been quiet for over 900 years.
Suddenly, the viewscreen lights up with the image of a massive Borg cube.
MICHAEL BURNHAM (CONT'D)
Red alert! All hands, battle stations!
The crew of the Discovery quickly goes into action, firing phasers and torpedoes at the Borg cube. But the Borg are relentless, and soon the ship is overrun.
MICHAEL BURNHAM (CONT'D)
We can't take much more of this. We need to find a way to stop them.
The Borg send a message to the Discovery, demanding that they surrender or be assimilated.
MICHAEL BURNHAM (CONT'D)
We can't surrender. We have to find a way to fight back.
Suddenly, several crew members are assimilated by the Borg.
MICHAEL BURNHAM (CONT'D)
We have to get out of here now!
The Discovery manages to escape, but not before suffering heavy damage and losing several crew members to the Borg.
INT. USS DISCOVERY – ENGINEERING
Burnham and the remaining crew try to repair the ship, but they realize they're no match for the Borg.
MICHAEL BURNHAM
We need to find a way to stop them. But how?
SARU, the ship's captain, suggests they warp to the Fleet Museum and reactivate Data, the legendary android who helped defeat the Borg in the past.
MICHAEL BURNHAM
It's a long shot, but it's our only hope. Set course for the Fleet Museum.
INT. FLEET MUSEUM – DATA'S CHAMBER
The Discovery arrives at the Fleet Museum and beams down to Data's chamber.
MICHAEL BURNHAM
Data, we need your help. The Borg have returned, and we can't stop them.
DATA
I have been offline for centuries. What can I do?
MICHAEL BURNHAM
We need you to access the Borg collective and defeat them. Only you have the knowledge and the ability to do it.
DATA
Very well. I will do what I can.
Data connects to the Borg collective and engages in a fierce battle with the Borg.
INT. STARBASE ONE – BORG COLLECTIVE
Meanwhile, the Borg have already assimilated most of Starfleet and have converted Starbase One into a massive Borg collective.
The Discovery arrives at Starbase One and engages in battle with the Borg.
INT. FLEET MUSEUM – DATA'S CHAMBER
Data manages to infiltrate the Borg collective and finds a way to shut down their systems.
DATA
I have accessed the Borg collective. Their systems are vulnerable.
MICHAEL BURNHAM
Do it, Data! Shut them down!
Data unleashes a massive pulse that disables the Borg's systems, causing them to fall apart and disintegrate.
INT. USS DISCOVERY – BRIDGE
The crew of the Discovery celebrates their victory over the Borg.
MICHAEL BURNHAM
Thanks to Data, we've defeated the Borg once again.
SARU
We couldn't have done it without you, Data.
Data nods and smiles.
DATA
It was my pleasure, Captain. I am glad to

Title: "Gravity of the Heart"

The USS Discovery was on a routine mission to study a black hole when the ship suddenly began to experience strange gravitational anomalies. The crew quickly realized that the cause was none other than Ensign Sylvia Tilly's weight, which had somehow become a focal point for the ship's gravity. As Tilly anxiously watched the displays on the bridge, she could see the black hole growing larger on the viewscreen, as if the ship was being inexorably drawn towards it.

Captain Saru quickly ordered the crew to find a way to reduce Tilly's mass, but all attempts failed. They tried to use the ship's transporter to beam her to the shuttlebay, but the transporters malfunctioned due to the intense gravitational forces. Meanwhile, the black hole grew closer and closer.

As the situation became increasingly desperate, Commander Michael Burnham suggested that they try to use Tilly's unique connection to the mycelial network to their advantage. Tilly had previously bonded with the network and had been able to manipulate it to some degree. Burnham reasoned that Tilly might be able to tap into the network and somehow alter her own gravitational field.

Tilly was initially hesitant, but with the black hole looming ever closer, she knew she had to try. With Burnham's guidance, Tilly closed her eyes and focused her mind, reaching out to the mycelial network. She felt a strange sensation as her body began to shift and change. Suddenly, she felt weightless, as if she was floating in mid-air.

The crew watched in amazement as the gravitational pull on the ship began to lessen. The black hole, which had been growing ominously on the viewscreen, began to shrink as the ship moved away from it. Tilly had successfully altered her own gravitational field, saving the ship and the crew from certain doom.

As the crew breathed a sigh of relief, Burnham went over to Tilly and hugged her. Tilly, overcome with emotion, began to cry. Burnham held her close, and they cried together, the weight of the situation finally catching up to them.

In the aftermath of the crisis, Tilly was hailed as a hero, and the crew celebrated their narrow escape from the black hole. But for Tilly and Burnham, the experience had brought them closer together. As they sat in Tilly's quarters, drinking tea and chatting, Tilly thanked Burnham for believing in her and helping her through the crisis. Burnham smiled and said that it was all part of being a Starfleet officer - helping each other through the tough times. And with that, the two friends settled in for a well-deserved rest, ready for whatever the universe had in store for them next.

I can see it now. Every Star Trek series has one of their characters on a planet get bitten by a vine that invades their mind and forces them to re-live their memoris while the doctor and some empath watch them in a sick bay bed.

If I can "reboot" (it is not stealing if it is rebooting) an episode to cover the strike, anyone can write this shit.

It will be interesting to see what happens when the writers realize that the studio execs have figured out how to use ChatGPT.

FADE IN:

INT. USS CERRITOS - MAIN BRIDGE

Captain Carol Freeman is at the center seat, with her senior officers around her. Ensign Beckett Mariner is in her usual seat, looking bored.

CAPTAIN FREEMAN We're approaching the planet Rigel VII, where we'll be delivering medical supplies to the local hospitals. Ensign Mariner, you and Ensign Tendi will lead the away team.

MARINER (sarcastically) Great, another thrilling mission. Can't wait.

TENDI (excitedly) Oh, I think it sounds wonderful! I can't wait to see the local medical technology.

MARINER (deadpan) Yay.

Suddenly, the ship shakes and the lights flicker.

CAPTAIN FREEMAN Report!

ENSIGN RUTHERFORD (from Ops) Captain, we're being pulled out of warp!

CAPTAIN FREEMAN Red alert! All hands, battle stations!

As the crew rushes to their stations, the viewscreen flickers to life, showing the image of a starship.

MARINER (sarcastically) Oh, great. More Starfleet.

The starship hails them.

CAPTAIN FREEMAN On screen.

The image of a man appears on the viewscreen. He looks familiar, but the crew can't quite place him.

CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER PIKE This is Captain Christopher Pike of the USS Enterprise. We're responding to a distress call from a nearby planet. Do you require assistance?

CAPTAIN FREEMAN Captain Freeman of the USS Cerritos. We were not aware of any distress calls in the area, but we will assist in any way we can.

PIKE Thank you, Captain. We could use all the help we can get. Pike out.

The viewscreen goes blank.

CAPTAIN FREEMAN Ensign Mariner, I want you and Ensign Tendi to lead the away team to the planet with Captain Pike's crew. Take a security team with you.

MARINER (saluting) Aye aye, Captain.

INT. USS CERRITOS - TRANSPORTER ROOM

Mariner and Tendi are joined by a group of security officers.

MARINER (to the security officers) Alright, let's keep it tight. We don't know what we're walking into.

They step onto the transporter pad and are beamed away.

INT. PLANET SURFACE - NEARBY

Mariner and Tendi materialize in a wooded area. They are immediately greeted by a group of Starfleet officers, including Pike.

PIKE Welcome to the party. We could use all the help we can get.

MARINER (sarcastically) Glad to be here.

PIKE (smirking) I remember when I was a young ensign, thinking I knew everything.

MARINER (scoffing) I doubt that.

PIKE (smiling) You remind me of someone I used to know. A rebel, always pushing the boundaries. But with a heart in the right place.

MARINER (skeptical) Uh huh. And who's that?

PIKE (smiling) Someone I think you'd like to meet.

Suddenly, the ground shakes and a group of alien creatures charge at them.

PIKE Weapons out! Defend yourselves!

Mariner and Tendi join the Starfleet officers in a firefight. After the creatures are defeated, Pike leads Mariner and Tendi deeper into the woods.

PIKE (to Mariner) I think you'll find our next encounter quite interesting.

They arrive at a clearing, where a figure in a hood

FADE IN:

INT. A BAR ON QO'NOS - NIGHT

The camera pans over the rowdy patrons of a Klingon bar until it lands on Raffi Musiker and Elim Garak, both of them looking a little worse for wear.

RAFFI (loudly) I'm telling you, Garak, I could drink a Klingon under the table any day!

GARAK (smiling wryly) I'm sure you could, my dear. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

RAFFI (laughs) You're probably right. So, what brings you to Qo'nos, anyway?

GARAK (sighs) Just needed to get away for a while. You know how it is.

RAFFI (nods) Yeah, I do. I've been feeling pretty restless myself lately.

GARAK (smiling) Well, if nothing else, we can always count on the Klingons to provide some entertainment.

RAFFI (grinning) You got that right.

Just then, the doors to the bar burst open and in strides Julian Bashir, looking disheveled and a little drunk.

BASHIR (slurring) Garak! There you are!

GARAK (smiling wryly) Hello, Doctor. I see you've been enjoying yourself.

BASHIR (nodding vigorously) Oh yeah. I found this amazing Klingon ale that packs a real punch.

RAFFI (skeptically) You sure that's a good idea, Julian?

BASHIR (waving her off) Relax, Raffi. I can hold my liquor.

GARAK (smiling) I have no doubt of that, Doctor.

BASHIR (suddenly serious) Hey, Garak, can we talk?

GARAK (raising an eyebrow) About what?

BASHIR (takes a deep breath) About us.

RAFFI (looking surprised) What do you mean, "us"?

BASHIR (looking at Garak) I mean...I've been thinking a lot lately about our relationship, and how I feel about you.

GARAK (raising an eyebrow) And how do you feel about me, Doctor?

BASHIR (takes a deep breath) I love you, Garak. I've loved you for years, and I just can't keep it to myself anymore.

RAFFI (looking shocked) Whoa, I did not see that coming.

GARAK (surprised) I...I don't know what to say.

BASHIR (looking hopeful) Say you feel the same way.

GARAK (shaking his head) I can't, Julian. I appreciate your feelings, but...I'm just not sure I can return them.

BASHIR (looking crestfallen) Oh. I see.

RAFFI (putting a hand on Bashir's shoulder) Hey, don't worry about it, Julian. You're a great guy, and there are plenty of other people out there who would be lucky to be with you.

BASHIR (smiling weakly) Thanks, Raffi. I just...I had to try, you know?

GARAK (smiling sadly) I understand, Doctor. And I'm glad you told me. It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable like that.

BASHIR (nodding) Yeah. I guess it does.

They sit in silence for a few moments, until Garak speaks up.

GARAK (smiling wryly) Well, now that we've gotten all that out of the way, who's up for another round of drinks?

It wouldn't write a story about Annika Hansen having a lesbian three-way with Ezri Dax and the Andorian named Jennifer.

Those execs lack talent and ChatGPT can't replace talent either. Even Kurtzman is a better writer than ChatGPT.

I've got it!!
Mariner and Boimler have Badgey create a fake holo-recording, and have ChatGPT write that part for real.
Then they give it to a Romulan, who of course goes "iiiit's a faaaaake!!!".

Good for them. I support the writers, and hope their demands are met.

I think that is one of the issues the WGA is striking over, so they're probably already aware.

Nazi.

Hmm, Voyager kind of anticipated this with Holodoc's crappy novel.
.....yeah, but having ChatGPT really write part of the episode brings it full circle.

Write a Star Trek/Star Wars crossover script in which Rey accidentally flies the Millennium Falcon into a temporal anomaly, lands on Bajor two weeks after the end of the occupation, and ends up falling in love with Vedek Bareil.

FADE IN:

EXT. SPACE - A LONG TIME AGO

The Millennium Falcon, piloted by Rey, flies through space at warp speed. Suddenly, the ship shakes violently, and alarms start blaring.

REY: (panicked) What's happening? What's going on?

CHEWBACCA: (roars)

REY: A temporal anomaly? How did we get caught in a temporal anomaly?

CHEWBACCA: (roars)

REY: I'm trying to regain control, but it's not responding. Hold on!

The Millennium Falcon spins wildly, and then disappears into a vortex.

CUT TO:

EXT. BAJOR - TWO WEEKS AFTER THE END OF THE OCCUPATION

The Millennium Falcon crashes into a field on Bajor. Rey and Chewbacca emerge from the ship, dazed and confused.

REY: (looking around) Where are we? What is this place?

CHEWBACCA: (roars)

REY: Bajor? I've never heard of it. What's that building over there?

They approach a large, ornate temple.

REY: (reading a sign) "Bajoran Temple." Interesting.

As they approach the temple, they are greeted by a group of Bajorans.

BAREIL: (approaching) Welcome, travelers. I am Vedek Bareil.

REY: (impressed) Vedek? You're a religious leader?

BAREIL: Yes. I help guide my people in matters of faith and spirituality.

REY: (curious) And who are your people?

BAREIL: (smiling) The Bajorans. We have just recently freed ourselves from a long and brutal occupation.

REY: (shocked) Occupation? By whom?

BAREIL: The Cardassians. But we have finally regained our freedom, and we are rebuilding our world.

REY: (sympathetic) I'm sorry to hear that. I come from a world that has been through its share of wars and conflicts.

BAREIL: (understanding) Yes, many worlds have. But it is our hope that we can learn to live in peace and harmony with one another.

REY: (nodding) I hope so too.

Over the next few days, Rey and Chewbacca explore Bajor and learn more about its culture and people. Rey is especially drawn to Bareil, and the two of them spend a lot of time together.

BAREIL: (smiling) You have a kind heart, Rey. I can see that you have been through much pain in your life, but you still have hope for the future.

REY: (blushing) Thank you, Bareil. I feel like I've found a new home here on Bajor.

BAREIL: (smiling) I'm glad to hear that. You are always welcome here.

As their relationship deepens, Rey starts to wonder if she might have found her true love on this distant world.

REY: (to Chewbacca) I never thought I'd fall in love with someone from another planet, but Bareil is different. He understands me in a way that no one else ever has.

CHEWBACCA: (approving roar)

REY: (smiling) I know. It's crazy, right? But I feel like this is where I belong.

As Rey and Bareil's love grows stronger, she starts to wonder if she can stay on Bajor permanently. But she knows that her friends and family from her own world are waiting for her, and she must eventually return to them.

REY: (to Bareil) I don't know how to say goodbye to you.

https://twitter.com/bishilarious/status/1653926396761354241?s=46&t=iYW3foyqIA6Tn8VWwn3nwQ

https://twitter.com/carolinerenard_/status/1653956026423738376?s=46&t=iYW3foyqIA6Tn8VWwn3nwQ

This podcast episode has an interview with one of the Guild negotiators. A lot of it is really inside baseball kinda stuff, so not necessarily interesting, but you do get an idea of how badly the studios are shafting the creatives (lots of them have seen their income drop by 2/3rds).

On another podcast I listen to, someone pointed out that while the ChatGPT-generated scripts for TV shows that people have put up on the web have been really crappy, that could just be how the software was trained. Large Language Models, like ChatGPT do best when they're trained on a narrow subject, than on the whole web. So, a LLM that had been trained using only medical textbooks and journals would be able to give better answers than one trained on the whole internet when it comes to matters of medicine.

This means that, potentially, you have a series like The Simpsons that has been running for 30+ years now, if you train an LLM, you'll get a script that's indistinguishable from any of the others in the series. (And AI programs can do near-perfect replications of people's voices, so you don't even need the actors.) And even if the software isn't there now, it will be one day, so people probably should start thinking about that.