The Warner Bros/Discovery CEO was booed and met with chants of “pay your writers” as he spoke at Boston University’s commencement ceremony on Sunday.
Video of the graduation shows Zaslav, 63, addressing the large crowd as boos and jeers rang out from the crowd throughout his 20-minute speech.
A clip in which Zaslav – a Boston University Law School alumnus in 1985 – is featured shows the crowd screaming as professors cheer behind him.
Overhead, a plane carrying a banner reading ‘DAVID ZASLAV – PAY YOUR WRITERS’ flew over the launch ceremony throughout the event.
The pushback from the WBD CEO’s appearance comes as the Hollywood Writers Guild of America strike enters its third week with productive talks yet to take place.
The Warner Bros/Discovery CEO was booed and met with chants of ‘pay your writers’ as he spoke at Boston University’s commencement ceremony on Sunday
Graduation video shows Zaslav, 63, addressing the large crowd as boos and jeers rang out from the crowd throughout his 20-minute speech
Overhead, a plane carrying a banner reading “DAVID ZASLAV: PAY YOUR WRITERS” circled the launch ceremony throughout the event.
The boos immediately erupted Sunday morning at Nickerson Field on the BU campus when the University PResident Robert A. Brown introduced Zaslav.
Brown said of the WBD CEO that he had a “passion for documenting and sharing human history on a global scale,” which immediately drew backlash.
In addition to “pay your writers”, hall attendees could be heard shouting “shut up, Zaslav”, “no contract, no speech” and other messages of opposition.
A woman who appeared to be graduating at the ceremony held up a sign that read “Ew, David”, referencing a popular line from “Schitt’s Creek” television.
A person in the crowd held up a sign that read “Did AI write this too?”
Another woman could be seen with a ‘Zaslav, pay your writers. I’m with the WGA,” message on top of his graduation cap.
Zaslav had to interrupt his speech several times and wait for the chants and boos to die down to continue.
Outside the stadium, a picket line formed with dozens holding signs and marching around the perimeter in solidarity with the striking writers.
Boos immediately erupted Sunday morning at Nickerson Field on the BU campus when University resident Robert A. Brown introduced Zaslav
In addition to “pay your writers”, hall attendees could be heard shouting “shup up, Zaslav”, “no contract, no speech” and other messages of opposition.
At one point in his speech, Zaslav joked about giving students advice for life, which drew a huge reaction of boos and other mockery.
Another time, he talked about his time as a lawyer and mentioned the “good money” he made, which sparked angry chants in response.
The WBD CEO never mentioned the strike during his speech, but spoke to those booing him towards the end, saying he was looking forward to seeing their work.
“Hope to see you all – and I mean you’re all lining the way. The journey of life. There’s nothing better,” he said, pointing to the crowd.
His speech comes as the strike enters its third week with talks seemingly still deadlocked.
Production of shows filmed in New York, Los Angeles and other cities around the world has come to a virtual standstill since the strike began on May 1.
Currently, most shows have yet to feel the impact of the strike, but in the fall, that could change drastically.
Currently, all late-night TV shows, including “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” have suspended filming due to the disruption.
“Saturday Night Live,” which was scheduled to end its season on Saturday, closed early and Pete Davidson’s host date was canceled due to the strike.
At one point in his speech, Zaslav joked about giving students advice for life, which drew a huge reaction of boos and other jeers.
Production of shows filmed in New York, Los Angeles and other cities around the world has come to a virtual halt since the strike began on May 1
Currently, all late-night TV shows, including “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” have suspended filming due to the disruption.
The WGA has asked for several things in their contract negotiations with the Alliance of Film and Television Producers that have not yet been guaranteed.
Among the main concerns is that of residuals – the checks writers receive when their show or movie is rerun on television – and their decreasing dollar amount.
The writers say that in the age of streaming, many of them are unable to fend for themselves or support themselves in this business, even as some studios see record profits.
Another key issue on the table is the use of AI in television and film writing.
The WGA is calling for protections against artificial intelligence, which could potentially put thousands of jobs at risk.
