Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams: The Future of Hollywood with Bryan Cranston

Episode Release Date: October 10, 2024

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, hosted by Stacey Abrams from Crooked Media, Bryan Cranston joins as a multifaceted guest to delve into the evolving landscape of Hollywood. The discussion navigates through the repercussions of recent Hollywood strikes, the impact of streaming and artificial intelligence (AI) on the entertainment industry, and the broader socio-economic implications for those working within it.

Hollywood as a Societal Barometer

Stacey Abrams opens the conversation by highlighting Hollywood's role beyond entertainment, emphasizing its function as a barometer for societal change. She underscores how the industry not only drives economic trends but also reflects cultural shifts often before they are fully articulated in society.

Key Points:

• Economic Significance: The American film and television industry boasts over 2.77 million jobs and generates more than $240 billion in annual wages. In 2022, arts and cultural industries contributed 4.3% of the GDP, surpassing sectors like construction and nearly matching retail trade.

• Impact of Strikes: The 2023 strikes by the Writers Guild and Screen Actors Guild disrupted content production and sparked discussions on corporate control, wages, and the integration of AI in creative processes. These strikes affected not only major hubs like Los Angeles and New York but also workers nationwide and globally embedded in the TV and film sectors.

• Historical Context: Comparing the current strikes to the 2007 Writers Guild strike, which grappled with emerging threats from DVD sales and video on demand, Stacey notes the persistent challenges writers face in monetizing their work amidst evolving distribution models.

Notable Quote:

Stacey Abrams [00:00:54]: "Hollywood is more than an imagination factory. It's a barometer for how we face societal change. It drives economic trends and it reflects how we are thinking about culture often before we've figured out how to describe it ourselves."

The Shift to Streaming and Its Consequences

Bryan Cranston discusses the monumental shift from traditional broadcasting to streaming platforms, elucidating how this transformation has altered revenue models and affected residuals for actors and writers.

Key Points:

• Consumer Behavior: As of the release year, nearly 40% of consumers access TV via streaming, moving away from cable subscriptions. This shift reduces the reliance on Nielsen ratings, complicating the determination of residuals for content creators.

• Residuals and Revenue Streams: Traditional models relied on syndication, VHS sales, and rerun fees. Streaming centralizes consumption, diminishing multiple revenue streams and leading to lower residuals for actors and writers.

• Economic Impact on Productions: With reduced revenue, studios are compelled to cut budgets, resulting in shorter seasons and longer production timelines, thereby impacting the livelihoods of those working behind the scenes.

Notable Quote:

Bryan Cranston [05:21]: "But we ask you to hear us and beyond that, to listen to us when we tell you we will not be having our jobs taken away and giving to robots. We will not have you take away our right to work and earn a decent living. And lastly, and most importantly, we will not allow you to take away our dignity."

Artificial Intelligence: A Double-Edged Sword

The conversation delves into the ramifications of AI in the entertainment industry, addressing both its potential and the threats it poses to creative professionals.

Key Points:

• AI in Content Creation: AI's capability to generate deepfakes and replicate actors’ performances raises ethical concerns. Bryan Cranston emphasizes the need for guidelines and regulations to prevent misuse, ensuring that AI serves to enhance rather than replace human creativity.

• Contractual Safeguards: The new contracts from the Writers Guild and Screen Actors Guild mandate that scripts must be written by humans, aiming to protect the integrity of storytelling and preserve jobs for writers and actors.

• Future Implications: The potential for AI to amalgamate performances from various actors without consent underscores the necessity for industry-wide standards to safeguard artists' likenesses and intellectual property.

Notable Quote:

Bryan Cranston [28:43]: "We've seen the ability of AI and the deepfakes to be able to create what looks like a person we know, saying certain things, pro or con, pick a subject that just didn't happen. It's... a moment of history."

Work Ethic and Stability in the Arts

Bryan Cranston shares personal insights into his work ethic and the pursuit of a stable career in acting, reflecting on lessons learned from his parents and his journey in the industry.

Key Points:

• Personal Journey: Starting his career at age 25 on the soap opera "Loving", Cranston emphasizes the importance of being a working actor—someone who can sustain a living solely through acting without needing secondary jobs.

• Inspiring the Next Generation: Cranston advocates for unwavering dedication and hard work as essential traits for aspiring artists. He discourages seeking shortcuts, advocating instead for a devotion to the craft.

• Economic Realities: He highlights the increasing difficulties in maintaining stable careers due to factors like shorter seasons, reduced residuals, and the high competition in the industry.

Notable Quote:

Bryan Cranston [14:40]: "I just keep my head down. And anything that comes beyond that is really the cherry on top of the sundae. Because I never take a job thinking this will get a nomination or this will bring some attention, or it's always to... Because the job was exciting and interesting and provocative to me."

Capitalism and the Valuation of Work

The discussion shifts to the broader socio-economic system of capitalism, critiquing its impact on work-life balance, healthcare, and the overall valuation of human well-being.

Key Points:

• Work-Centric Culture: Cranston laments America's overemphasis on work, comparing it unfavorably to European models that prioritize leisure and family time.

• Healthcare and Financial Stability: He criticizes the dependency of personal health on financial success, advocating for a system that better supports individuals' well-being without tying it directly to their earnings.

• Desire for Simplicity: Expressing a personal shift towards valuing experiences over material possessions, Cranston underscores a growing desire for peace and calm over relentless pursuit of money and success.

Notable Quote:

Bryan Cranston [21:02]: "Our healthcare system... having a person's health depend on someone else making money if you don't get care is absurd to me."

Advocacy and Utilizing Influence

Bryan Cranston discusses his role as an advocate within the industry, leveraging his status and success to support fellow artists and push for equitable practices.

Key Points:

• Supporting Working Actors: Cranston emphasizes his commitment to preserving opportunities for working actors and ensuring they have access to fair wages, health insurance, and pensions.

• Public Voice: Despite his fame, he identifies as a working actor, striving to maintain humility and focus on the craft rather than personal accolades. His advocacy is rooted in a genuine desire to support the entire community of artists.

• Collective Responsibility: He calls for the entire industry's involvement in establishing fair labor practices and protecting the livelihoods of all individuals, from makeup artists to technicians.

Notable Quote:

Bryan Cranston [27:05]: "I see myself as them because my personal situation, I was struck by lightning, with good fortune, and it catapulted me to a place that was surprising and wonderful and exploratory. But deep down inside, I'm still a working actor."

Navigating Political Discourse and Social Change

Cranston and Abrams transition into discussing the intersection of entertainment, politics, and societal discourse, advocating for respectful and constructive dialogue.

Key Points:

• Role of Public Figures: Cranston addresses the backlash faced by artists who venture into political endorsements, arguing that leveraging one's platform is essential for driving meaningful change.

• Encouraging Voting and Participation: He underscores the importance of voting as a fundamental expression of one's voice in democracy, dismissing those who abstain from voting as choosing not to participate in their own governance.

• Fostering Respectful Conversations: Advocating for tolerance and inclusion, Cranston calls for society to engage in mutual respect and constructive dialogue, moving beyond partisan vitriol to foster understanding and collaboration.

Notable Quote:

Bryan Cranston [43:49]: "I think there's been so much vitriol... We have to get back to the point where we can disagree without being disagreeable."

The Future and Call to Action

As the episode draws to a close, Cranston reflects on the importance of moderation, inclusion, and community engagement as foundations for a healthier society and industry.

Key Points:

• Living in Moderation: Emphasizing balance, Cranston suggests living with peaks and valleys, striving for a center line anchored in tolerance and inclusion.

• Building Community: He advocates for face-to-face interactions and personal connections as antidotes to the isolating effects of social media and polarized discourse.

• Encouraging Active Participation: Cranston urges listeners to engage actively in their communities, fostering connections that transcend ideological differences.

Notable Quote:

Bryan Cranston [47:31]: "We have to start making friends with the people who are. We may deem unfriendly. And I think the beginning of that is to tolerate other points of view and say, hey, I'm willing to step toward the middle."

Conclusion and Toolkit for Action

Stacey Abrams wraps up the episode by presenting actionable steps for listeners to support the arts and engage in societal change:

1. Donate to the Entertainment Community Fund: Support workers across the industry financially.
2. Stream Your Favorite Shows: Increasing viewership data helps artists secure more content.
3. Engage with the Community: Share experiences and actions via email or voicemail to be featured on the podcast.

Additionally, Abrams highlights a documentary titled "Pencils: The 100 Days of the Writers Guild Strike", encouraging audiences to deepen their understanding of the industry's challenges.

Final Thoughts: The episode underscores the interconnectedness of entertainment, economics, and politics, urging listeners to recognize their role in fostering change and supporting the creative community.

Additional Resources

• Pencils: The 100 Days of the Writers Guild Strike: A documentary exploring the 2007 strike.
• Entertainment Community Fund: Donation Link
• Podcast Feedback: Email at assemblyrequiredrooked.com or call 213-293-95 for a chance to be featured on the podcast.

Produced by: Stephen Roberts (Lead Show Producer), Paulina Velasco (Associate Producer), Kira Paulaviev (Video Producer)

Executive Producers: Katie Long, Madeline Herringer, Stacey Abrams

Special Mention: Introduction of Lupita Nyong’o’s new podcast series, Mind Your Own, exploring African perspectives on belonging and identity.

End of Episode Summary