In a world full of good ideas, chasing a man who is now seen as one of the biggest villains in the ongoing Hollywood writers’ strike before a sea of Generation Z college graduates is certainly not one of them.
But that’s the school’s Warner Bros. When Discovery CEO David Zaslav accepted an honorary degree and took the stage to deliver a graduation speech in the Class of 2023, the brain confidence at Boston University didn’t stop him from doing just that.
Loud boos, teasing, and angry cheers soon followed.
The jam started when Boston University President Robert A. Brown introduced Zaslav, who was looking dazed behind dark sunglasses, on a live broadcast at a graduation ceremony. “Pay your writers!” as the CEO takes the podium. and “Shut up, Zaslav!” could be heard. At one point, a man said, “Fuck you, you piece of shit!”
The 63-year-old executive, now a BU Law School graduate who reportedly earned a $35 million salary, struggled to finish his speech for the next 20 minutes. “If you want to be successful, you’re going to have to figure out how to get along with everyone, including tough people. Some people…” He paused. “Some people will be looking for a fight.”
Boos rose from the crowd, and Zaslav raised his thumb and smiled.
“… Focus on the qualities of good people,” he continued. “In my career, I’ve seen many talented people lose their opportunities or jobs because they don’t get along with others. You can’t choose the people you work with. Understand what a person likes – there is always something – and do whatever it takes to overcome their difficulties. We all have them.”
According to this Hollywood ReporterBoston University students worked with the Los Angeles branch of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to create hymns for the talk and a banner held outside the event, some inspired by the school’s hockey chants.
WGA East, Boston DSA, and several non-Hollywood unions from the local area also joined the strike. About 350 people participated in the action. a person He works at the check-in station. Before Zaslav’s speech, a plane flew overhead, carrying a banner that read “David Zaslav—Pay Your Authors” behind it.
The Writers Guild of America announced the strike strike shortly after Boston University confirmed Zaslav’s involvement on May 11, at which point the union had already been on strike for nine days.
Expressing its “deep disappointment” with the decision at the time, WGA said in a statement that “Boston University should not give a voice to anyone who wants to destroy their students’ ability to pursue careers in the film and television industry.”