A Striking Writer Recalls What It Was Like To Create A Netflix Show With No Full-Time Room: “I Needed People I Trusted To Take A 90% Pay Cut”

Getty Editor’s note: As part of Deadline’s ongoing coverage of the WGA strike, we have been giving voice to below-the-line workers who have been impacted by the work stoppage. Here, we decided to change gears by asking a writer to recall first-hand what it was like to create a low-budget comedy for Netflix that had no writers room. The show was ultimately canceled. Fearful that it may impact his ability to find jobs in the future, he asked that his name not be used. I have been on a lot of shows over the years. I would call myself more of a blue-collar writer in that I pretty consistently worked as a number two, number three or number four on all types of half-hour shows, some for network, some for cable. This was the first opportunity to [launch] something that I created. It was my first show for a streamer. The pluses were control and freedom. But I was definitely worried about budgets and staffing issues. I just figured it would work itself out. It was eight episodes. Not a ton. I was so excited to actually have something get produced that I just figured, ‘oh, it’ll work itself out.’ I don’t want to speak for every other writer, but you know, it’s such a dream to get a show on anywhere. Like, if I have to do everything, I’ll do everything. If I have to call friends, I’ll call friends. Related Stories International Insider: SAG Strike Week One; Layoffs & Closures; Barbieheimer Goes Global ‘Succession’ Star Brian Cox Says Actors Strike Will “Affect British Equity Far Worse Than It Will Probably Affect SAG-AFTRA” If I’m being completely honest, it wasn’t that it was a bad quote, but I also knew that there was no lottery ticket at the end. But there also was no room to have … I mean, maybe I could have hired one writer full-time, you know? And I didn’t just want to have a staff writer. I needed to have most of my writing friends and then a couple of new writers, and that […]

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