Since the entertainment unions are a fixture in California, I have long thought that they could set up their own studio, with a very different character from the typical.
To start with, the production, writers, actors, musicians, etc., unions all agree that everybody is just paid scale, across the board. The emphasis is on production volume, that is “a little work for everyone”, instead of “all the work for just a few”.
Productions would be very low budget, and ordered towards vignette and variety shows with different casts and production teams, like the original Twilight Zone, American Bandstand, and variety shows.
Profits from series sales and syndication get plowed back into more productions. Eventually create a cable syndicate with two or three channels. If, and only if, one of the shows becomes a hit, it and its cast can be contracted off to a network, entering the major leagues, as motivation to do quality work.
Thus the public gets good acting and writing and a bunch of programs to watch, even if they are on a budget; and the union’s rank and file actually get some profit and exposure for a change, instead of starving while a few on the ‘A’ list get all the work.
Instead the financial rewards are on instant gratification “hits”. Never mind that the public will watch a King Kong, Gone With The Wind, Greatest Story Ever Told, or Laurence of Arabia for decades bringing in much money to the studio (and those involved).
Was it the “biggest non-holiday opening weekend ever”? If not, pull the ads after 3 weeks.