(AFP) – Jan 22, 2008

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Hollywood screenwriters and producers are expected to hold informal talks Wednesday, raising hope of possible progress in a dispute that has plunged the US entertainment industry into chaos and threatened the Oscars.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) said in a statement Tuesday the two bodies would hold informal discussions on Wednesday.

"The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will begin informal discussions to determine if there is a basis for both parties to return to formal negotiations," the statement said.

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

Writers went on strike on November 5 after negotiations with the AMPTP over a new contract broke down.

The WGA is seeking a greater share of residual profits from Internet and new media sales. The AMPTP has rejected the demands as unreasonable.

The strike has plunged the film and television industry in chaos, halting work on upcoming projects and also wreaking havoc with Hollywood's annual awards season.

The Golden Globes ceremony was cancelled earlier this month after actors said they would not cross WGA picket lines in support of the strike, raising fears that a similar action could scupper next month's Academy Awards.

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