The WGA Strike in Photographs: A 'People's History' by J.W. Hendricks
The photographer has brought the 2023 Writers Guild strike to life in pictures like few others
As I write this, the Writers Guild of America has been on strike for fifty days. For fifty days, its members have taken to the pavement to wave picket signs instead of work, to vociferously demand fair pay from the Hollywood corporations that have cheated and exploited them for too long, and to support each other through it all. And for forty-eight out of those fifty days, photographer J.W. Hendricks has tirelessly chronicled their efforts - despite being neither a guild member nor being paid for his time.
The images Hendricks has captured celebrate the WGA’s struggle by zeroing in on the human beings at the center of it all. He finds moments of joy and humor and quiet dignity like no media outlets have. Astonishingly, when asked by the press to use his photos, he has declined on principle…which is why I am so honored that he has allowed this newsletter, written by a striking WGA member — me — to tell the story of the strike with his stunning images.
I asked Hendricks to write a few words about why he undertook this mission. But also, what he hoped his photographs might accomplish. Here is what he had to say:
It is the ultimate goal of the ruling class and the age-old lie of trickle-down economics to infect every industry at the molecular level. Maximum profit requires minimum cost. The people who own the value of our work watch from their yachts as the people who create that value struggle to pay for groceries. In our industry, our stories — our art — have been deemed “content,” little more than product to be capitalized on or erased as tax write-offs. Since the dawn of civilization, the destructive selfishness of the ruling class has been fought by the collective action of the people, and all too often, those movements have been forgotten.
I’d taken photos of many public demonstrations (protests, marches, rallies) in the past, so, when the writer’s strike was announced, I naturally felt inclined to go support and take photos. As someone whose life goal is to write and direct, I felt the need to join the strike to fight for my own future as well. I’d been laid off a month before the strike, so I’ve been able to join the picket lines every day. I didn’t quite know what to do with my photos at first. If I struck up a conversation with someone I’d offer to send them their photo. Now, with the creation of this digital gallery, I march up and down the line, snapping photos of nearly every picketer, with the hope that picketers can find themselves and each other in the photos. And, my god, I’m astounded and humbled at how far these photos have gotten. It has gradually become a sort of photographic “People’s History.”
While this battle is urgent and immediate, my ultimate hope for these photos is that writers will feel empowered by seeing themselves as part of history. I am in constant awe of all these passionate, hard-working, kind, lovely writers doing this amazing work every single day, fighting for each other’s future, keeping one another in good spirits. One day longer, one day stronger, as they say. I can only hope that this strike inspires more collective action around the world.
And so, without further ado, I give you a “people’s history” of the 2023 WGA strike…so far. We have made every effort to identify the individuals in these photos, but please let me know if you spot yourself without a name and I will amend the pic immediately. This photo spread is about you and you deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated.
J.W. Hendricks’ photographs of the strike can be found here. You can explore the rest of his photography here. Follow him on Twitter.
You can read more about the WGA strike here:
The WGA Is on Strike — Here’s Why We’ll Win
Why AI Is the Most Important Issue in the Writers' Strike
The Tragedy of Howard Rodman Sr. (or: Why the Writers Guild Is on Strike)
The Secret Weapon Helping the Writers Guild Win This Strike
A Matter of Survival: How the WGA Is Trying to Save Feature Screenwriters
If these articles added anything to your life, please consider buying me a coffee so I can keep this newsletter free for everyone.
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