SAG-AFTRA actors strike against the Hollywood studios as they join the Writers Guild of America (WGA) on the picket line outside of Netflix offices in Los Angeles, California, July 14, 2023. © Mike Blake, Reuters
Metropolis Desk-
Hollywood’s largest strike in more than 60 years has thousands of actors, including Jason Sudeikis, Susan Sarandon, and many more, joining screenwriters. During the shutdown, actors won’t appear in movies or even promote them.
The stoppage may have an impact on high-profile films currently under development, such as the Avatar and Gladiator sequels. The authors who walked out in May over concerns about wages, working conditions, and the usage of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry are now joined by actors.
The lead actor of HBO’s Succession, Brian Cox, told the BBC that the strike might go “until the end of the year.”
The Scottish actress told that “the entire streaming thing has shifted the paradigm.”
Because there is a lot of money to be gained through streaming and the intention is not to share it with the writers or the performers, “they are trying to freeze us out and beat us into the ground.”
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) was accused by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) of being “unwilling to offer a fair deal” as negotiations for a new contract with studios and streaming juggernauts stalled on Thursday.
Around 160,000 performers left their jobs at midnight, joining the 11,500 writers who staged a walkout on May 2nd. In Los Angeles, New York, and other cities, major studios and streaming services had crowds of union members and supporters outside their headquarters by midday on Friday.
Some of the most well-known actors and television personalities have backed the protests, including the cast of the upcoming Oppenheimer film, who exited the red carpet on Thursday.
The two guilds demand better pay, bigger royalties, higher payments to their pension and health plans, and restrictions on the use of AI in the business from studios and streaming platforms. Avatar, Deadpool, and Gladiator sequels, as well as next seasons of series like Stranger Things, Family Guy, and The Simpsons, are among the productions that may be impacted.
Evening events like the Emmys and Comic-Con have already been postponed, rescheduled, or scaled back, including red-carpet premieres and promotional interviews.
The uneasy transition to the era of digital streaming as well as more general technological advancements are some of the factors driving the strike action.
Oscar winner Susan Sarandon told the BBC from a picket line in New York that “AI will affect everyone.”
There has unquestionably always been the attitude that if the issue isn’t resolved right away, how can we ever resolve it in the future? She spoke. “You’re screwed if you don’t have the foresight to make plans for the future. Nothing will change from the top down; it is up to us at the bottom to make changes.
Both authors and actors have lamented that their salaries have significantly decreased over the years and that inflation has reduced the value of their contracts.
Actors must now look for multiple roles to make the same amount of money they did a few years ago because the remuneration for individual roles has decreased.
Writing contracts have gotten shorter and riskier, and payment for writers’ efforts on revisions or new material is frequently not included. Currently serving as SAG president, Fran Drescher stated on Thursday that “we are being victimized by a very greedy entity.” “I am shocked by how the people with whom we have done business are treating us,” a customer said.
The first tandem strike in the sector since 1960 resulted from the breakdown of discussions between the unions and the AMPTP. Ten weeks passed since the last actors’ strike in 1980.
The Directors Guild of America (DGA), a third union that was successful in negotiating its contract in June, is not taking part in the strike but has stated that it “strongly supports” those who are picketing. Cinemas may experience difficulties as a result of the possibility that the strike may last for several months, and fans may be left with just reality TV and live sports as options.
President Joe Biden “believes that all workers, including actors, deserve fair pay and benefits,” the White House stated in a statement on Friday.
The President supports the right of employees to strike and hopes that both sides can come to an amicable solution, according to spokesperson Robyn Patterson.
Due to UK labor restrictions, actors covered by SAG’s sister union in that country, Equity, must continue to work as usual. The cast of HBO’s House of the Dragon is included in this.
The union has nevertheless informed US-based businesses that it will be monitoring any attempts to shift US productions to the UK with “very close attention.”
Source- BBC News
