Katie Kilkenny
@katiekilkenny.bsky.social
Labor and media reporter at The Hollywood Reporter. Baked goods enthusiast. You all finally convinced me to join.
New: The Writers Guild West and Editors Guild are attempting to unionize a YouTube content studio -- acknowledging the new balance of power in entertainment www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/dig...
Hollywood Guilds Make Historic Push to Unionize YouTube Content Studio Theorist Media (Exclusive)
The Editors Guild and Writers Guild West are looking to organize more than two dozen workers at the L.A.- and Raleigh-based production company, which has several popular YouTube channels.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:09 PM
New: The Writers Guild West and Editors Guild are attempting to unionize a YouTube content studio -- acknowledging the new balance of power in entertainment www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/dig...
Jeffrey Katzenberg once talked about spending $100,000 a minute on projects for Quibi. Now, verticals are spending that much for a 60-90 minute series. How Hollywood is trying to get in the microdramas game (without blowing up budgets): www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
The Microdrama Production Gold Rush Is Here
As shoots dry up for features and episodic TV in Los Angeles, there have been a few big-money bets placed by Hollywood veterans that soapy, short "vertical" stories are the next big thing — even if so...
www.hollywoodreporter.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Jeffrey Katzenberg once talked about spending $100,000 a minute on projects for Quibi. Now, verticals are spending that much for a 60-90 minute series. How Hollywood is trying to get in the microdramas game (without blowing up budgets): www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
The Teen Vogue union on today’s consolidation news: The changes are “clearly designed to blunt the award-winning magazine’s insightful journalism at a time when it is needed the most” www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
As Condé Nast Folds Teen Vogue Into Vogue’s Website, NewsGuild Condemns the Plan
The union, which reps staffers, says the move was "clearly designed" to blunt the journalism of the brand, which has leaned in to progressive politics.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:13 PM
The Teen Vogue union on today’s consolidation news: The changes are “clearly designed to blunt the award-winning magazine’s insightful journalism at a time when it is needed the most” www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
New: The Hollywood AI threat through the lens of animal actors (and their trainers and wranglers) www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/li...
Out to Pasture: Why Hollywood’s Animal Actors Can’t Find Work
They’ve helped fetch Oscars, boosted box office and upstaged their A-list co-stars — but these days, Hollywood’s animals can’t seem to book a gig.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM
New: The Hollywood AI threat through the lens of animal actors (and their trainers and wranglers) www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/li...
As studios/streamers are shying away from docs and scripted films considered too political or controversial, the celeb EP has stepped into the void. A look at this world! www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
Docs’ New Selling Point: Celebrity EPs
Political projects that need the exposure (and distribution) are increasingly turning to issue-driven A-listers to get out their message.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:15 PM
As studios/streamers are shying away from docs and scripted films considered too political or controversial, the celeb EP has stepped into the void. A look at this world! www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
Wow. The Directors Guild of America has elected Christopher Nolan as its new president -- couldn’t get more high-profile than that. www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Christopher Nolan Elected President of Directors Guild of America
The celebrated helmer behind ’The Dark Knight’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ ran unopposed to lead the more than 19,000-member union.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
September 21, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Wow. The Directors Guild of America has elected Christopher Nolan as its new president -- couldn’t get more high-profile than that. www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
We asked some actual showrunners to try Showrunner AI, the platform that allows you to create short animations with a text prompt and some choices. They did not feel particularly threatened. www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-featur...
What Happens When AI Tries to Replace a Showrunner?
We asked real TV writers to test a buzzy new AI platform: “I don’t feel my job is under threat. Yet.”
www.hollywoodreporter.com
September 19, 2025 at 11:21 PM
We asked some actual showrunners to try Showrunner AI, the platform that allows you to create short animations with a text prompt and some choices. They did not feel particularly threatened. www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-featur...
ICYMI: The production assistants on ‘Abbott Elementary’ have filed for a union election www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
‘Abbott Elementary’ Production Assistants File for Union Election
Staffers on the ABC sitcom are following the lead of crew members on ‘The Pitt’ in attempting to join a Hollywood laborers’ union.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:01 PM
ICYMI: The production assistants on ‘Abbott Elementary’ have filed for a union election www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Reposted by Katie Kilkenny
It’s been almost 2 years since the SAG-AFTRA strike ended, and the union has finally set up its streaming bonus fund just as Fran Drescher, who pushed for its creation, is ending her term as president. From @katiekilkenny.bsky.social:
SAG-AFTRA Finally Establishes Fran Drescher’s “Robin Hood Fund”
The announcement comes almost two years after the fund was touted as a major win in the 2023 strike-ending contract and includes provisions for background actors, stunt riggers and stand-ins.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
September 12, 2025 at 11:44 PM
It’s been almost 2 years since the SAG-AFTRA strike ended, and the union has finally set up its streaming bonus fund just as Fran Drescher, who pushed for its creation, is ending her term as president. From @katiekilkenny.bsky.social:
I visited the offices of Steven Paul, Jon Voight's manager and one member of a team working to represent Hollywood interests at the White House. Here's what I learned about him, the plan and a potential federal film/TV tax incentive: www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Trump’s Man With a Plan in Hollywood Opens Up
Producer and manager Steven Paul says the president "loves" the entertainment business. Enough to push Congress for a federal incentive? Maybe.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
September 11, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I visited the offices of Steven Paul, Jon Voight's manager and one member of a team working to represent Hollywood interests at the White House. Here's what I learned about him, the plan and a potential federal film/TV tax incentive: www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Big news for Hollywood support staffers: The PAs and office assistants on ‘The Pitt’ S2 have unionized. “This is only the beginning,” says a union leader www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
‘The Pitt’ Production Assistants Vote to Unionize
In a landmark election that took place Friday, support staffers unanimously voted to join a group affiliated with an established Hollywood laborers’ union. “This is only the beginning,” says a union l...
www.hollywoodreporter.com
September 9, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Big news for Hollywood support staffers: The PAs and office assistants on ‘The Pitt’ S2 have unionized. “This is only the beginning,” says a union leader www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Being a production assistant is a rite of passage for some workers in Hollywood, but during the industry contraction it’s turned into a bit of a holding cell. We talked to PAs across the country about their experiences in 2025. www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
The Deadest Dead-End Job in Hollywood?
Production assistants have long endured brutal hours, low salaries and abuse in the hope of moving up the food chain. But contracting budgets and blatant nepotism have turned a job that was supposed t...
www.hollywoodreporter.com
September 4, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Being a production assistant is a rite of passage for some workers in Hollywood, but during the industry contraction it’s turned into a bit of a holding cell. We talked to PAs across the country about their experiences in 2025. www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Late-breaking Hollywood union news: Sean Astin, of ‘Lord of the Rings’ fame, is running for SAG-AFTRA president www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Sean Astin to Run for SAG-AFTRA President, Fran Drescher a Question Mark for Another Bid (Exclusive)
The ‘Lord of the Rings’ star will be campaigning alongside secretary-treasurer hopeful Michelle Hurd and Joely Fisher, who is targeting L.A. Local president.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
July 11, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Late-breaking Hollywood union news: Sean Astin, of ‘Lord of the Rings’ fame, is running for SAG-AFTRA president www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Reposted by Katie Kilkenny
WGA East and the company that produces “The Kitchen” and other Food Network shows have a new contract that includes culinary producers, food stylists, set PAs and others. From my colleague @katiekilkenny.bsky.social
Food Stylists in the Writers’ Union? That’s a Reality in an Innovative New Labor Deal
The Montclair, New Jersey-based Garden Slate Productions has inked a contract with the Writers Guild of America East that has revealed the expanding boundaries of the union.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
July 7, 2025 at 10:06 PM
WGA East and the company that produces “The Kitchen” and other Food Network shows have a new contract that includes culinary producers, food stylists, set PAs and others. From my colleague @katiekilkenny.bsky.social
Winston Cho and I somehow got to follow Jonathan Nolan, Patty Jenkins, Damon Lindelof and others around Sacramento for a day. They were there to talk about film and TV tax credits, but other things were going on. Our story: www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Hollywood Heavyweights Hound Sacramento for a $750 Million Lifeline
In California's capitol, A-listers delicately push to expedite a bulked-up tax incentive to halt a production exodus.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
June 18, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Winston Cho and I somehow got to follow Jonathan Nolan, Patty Jenkins, Damon Lindelof and others around Sacramento for a day. They were there to talk about film and TV tax credits, but other things were going on. Our story: www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Even at a time when Hollywood crews are struggling, production assistants (PAs) are pushing ahead with an ambitious, sprawling effort to unionize their entire cohort nationwide. Inside their effort: www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Production Assistants, Seeing Work Dwindle, View a Union as Their Future
Though local levels of film and TV shoots have plunged, Production Assistants United is forging ahead with a rally on Sunday that aims to convey, “We’re here and we’re not going away.”
www.hollywoodreporter.com
May 2, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Even at a time when Hollywood crews are struggling, production assistants (PAs) are pushing ahead with an ambitious, sprawling effort to unionize their entire cohort nationwide. Inside their effort: www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
The Writers Guild of America West has voluntarily recognized its own staff union. Still, there were allegations of union-busting during the campaign, which we’ve detailed here: www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Writers Guild West Staff Union Voluntarily Recognized
Around 81 percent of the bargaining unit voted to join the Pacific Northwest Staff Union in a card count that took place Tuesday.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
April 30, 2025 at 12:23 AM
The Writers Guild of America West has voluntarily recognized its own staff union. Still, there were allegations of union-busting during the campaign, which we’ve detailed here: www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
New: The Writers Guild of America West has its own unionizing drive on its hand, with staffers in legal, contracts, residuals, etc. looking to join the Pacific Northwest Staff Union www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Writers Guild West Staffers Launch Their Own Unionization Drive (Exclusive)
The employees behind the famously hard-charging labor organization say they want a workplace where “our voices are heard” and “our work is valued.”
www.hollywoodreporter.com
April 22, 2025 at 9:06 PM
New: The Writers Guild of America West has its own unionizing drive on its hand, with staffers in legal, contracts, residuals, etc. looking to join the Pacific Northwest Staff Union www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
New: The WGA West has gone public with the members disciplined (expelled, suspended, censured) after its 2023 strike trials — and four have appealed www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Writers Guild West Names Members Who’ve Been Expelled or Disciplined for Breaking Strike Rules
Of the seven that were disciplined, four have appealed: Julie Bush, Tim Doyle, Edward Drake and Roma Roth have all sought to overturn rulings from the WGA West board of directors.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
April 11, 2025 at 10:38 PM
New: The WGA West has gone public with the members disciplined (expelled, suspended, censured) after its 2023 strike trials — and four have appealed www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Some fun L.A. news: The staff of the La Brea Tar Pits and L.A.'s Natural History Museum have unionized www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/local-n...
Staffers at L.A.’s Natural History Museum and La Brea Tar Pits Form Union
Around 300 workers at the iconic SoCal institutions will join AFSCME as part of a voluntary recognition agreement with management.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
April 10, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Some fun L.A. news: The staff of the La Brea Tar Pits and L.A.'s Natural History Museum have unionized www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/local-n...
The new head of the AMPTP has been named: Greg Hessinger, who has worked on both the union and employer side www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Gregory Hessinger to Replace Carol Lombardini at AMPTP
The longtime labor and employment lawyer has worked on both sides of the bargaining table, having headed up labor relations for CBS and also led negotiations for the unions SAG and AFTRA.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
March 25, 2025 at 6:02 PM
The new head of the AMPTP has been named: Greg Hessinger, who has worked on both the union and employer side www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
The Hollywood Teamsters are taking over jurisdiction of film and TV work in Oklahoma after an investigation found "financial malpractice" at a Local there. My latest: www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Major Hollywood Crew Union Takes Over In Oklahoma After “Financial Malpractice” Claims
Teamsters Local 399 will be adding roughly 100 members to its ranks after an audit uncovered "a pattern of systematic errors, omissions and oversight" at Oklahoma City's Local 886.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
March 25, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The Hollywood Teamsters are taking over jurisdiction of film and TV work in Oklahoma after an investigation found "financial malpractice" at a Local there. My latest: www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
'Wolf Hall' is back! But it very nearly wasn't. My latest: www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-featur...
Why ‘Wolf Hall’ Sequel ‘The Mirror and the Light’ Almost Didn’t Happen
The period piece, starring Mark Rylance as 16th-century royal fixer Thomas Cromwell, faced steep funding challenges amid ballooning production costs in the U.K.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
March 21, 2025 at 11:21 PM
'Wolf Hall' is back! But it very nearly wasn't. My latest: www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-featur...
Reposted by Katie Kilkenny
Breaking news: A federal judge just ordered the reinstatement of Democratic NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox, whom Trump fired to eliminate the board’s quorum.
Trump’s firing was ‘unlawful’ and therefore ‘null and void’
Trump’s firing was ‘unlawful’ and therefore ‘null and void’
March 6, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Breaking news: A federal judge just ordered the reinstatement of Democratic NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox, whom Trump fired to eliminate the board’s quorum.
Trump’s firing was ‘unlawful’ and therefore ‘null and void’
Trump’s firing was ‘unlawful’ and therefore ‘null and void’
An Alamo Drafthouse in Colorado is going on strike, just in time for the four-day Valentine's Day/Presidents Day box office weekend www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
Alamo Drafthouse Staff at Colorado Theater Go on Strike
The move marks an escalation in labor unrest over a round of layoffs that Alamo Drafthouse conducted nationwide in early 2025.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
February 14, 2025 at 10:00 PM
An Alamo Drafthouse in Colorado is going on strike, just in time for the four-day Valentine's Day/Presidents Day box office weekend www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...