WGA, producers set to begin informal talks

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and the striking Writers Guild of America plan to begin informal talks on a new contract Wednesday.

The writers went on strike Nov. 5. Since then, most scripted television series have been shut down, several film projects postponed and various awards shows, including the Golden Globes ceremony, derailed.

The writer's guild and the producers' group issued a joint statement Tuesday announcing their plans to "begin informal discussions to determine if there is a basis for both parties to return to formal negotiations."

"Both the AMPTP and the WGA have agreed to make no public comments about the informal discussions until those discussions have concluded," the statement said.