California’s creative economy is one of the state’s most important assets. Film, television, and streaming supports over 640,000 jobs in the state with over $29 billion paid to industry workers every year. Music adds another $39.5 billion to the state’s bottom line and supports over 430,000 jobs.
But a proposal in the state Assembly to rewrite the rules for employment contracts in these industries puts California’s creative jobs at risk – in ways that could disproportionately impact diverse voices and undermine hard-won gains Latino and other historically under-represented creatives are making today. The Grammy Awards may have temporarily moved from Los Angeles to Las Vegas this year, but that’s no reason to roll the dice on California’s entertainment future.
The AB 2926 proposal by California Assemblyman Ash Kalra (D – San Jose) is well-intentioned. It seeks to protect creative community workers by banning most exclusive employment agreements and limiting the ability of studios and record labels to lock talent into one-sided long-term deals. But in practice the legislation would actually limit opportunities and drive down wages for creative talent – including writers, actors, directors, and recording artists.
Read more: https://www.thewrap.com/california-creative-jobs-diverse-contract-bill/