The writers blame the agencies for what they describe as gross conflicts of interest and corrupt business practices. Two specific practices have gnawed at television writers. In place of the commission, they collect large sums from the studios themselves, called packaging fees. These fees, the writers say, amount to money taken out of their pockets. Under this arrangement, the writers say, agents may end up across the table from executives who are essentially colleagues.

Source: New York Times April 07, 2019 15:06 UTC