The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) has joined writers in a historic industry-wide walkout, halting the colossal movie and television business. This marks the first significant strike in 63 years, affecting around 160,000 movie and television actors.
SAG-AFTRA Issues Strike Order
SAG-AFTRA issued a strike order following failed negotiations with production studios over diminishing pay and the potential threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI). Fran Drescher, the SAG-AFTRA president, warned against the danger of replacement by machines and big businesses during a press conference.
Writers’ Protest
For 11 weeks, writers have been protesting outside the headquarters of entertainment giants such as Disney and Netflix, demanding better pay and guarantees over AI usage. The studios’ refusal to meet their demands has forced the actors to join the writers.
Impact on Industry
The strike is preventing actors from promoting some of the year’s biggest releases in the middle of the industry’s summer blockbuster season. This has caused major film releases to face postponement if the strike continues. The cast of “Oppenheimer” walked out of their London premiere to show solidarity with the strike.
Actors’ Union Strike History
The last actors’ union strike in 1980 lasted for over three months. This time, an overwhelming 98% of members voted in favor of industrial action if a deal was not reached.
AMPTP’s Offer
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) claimed they had offered actors historic pay raises and a groundbreaking AI proposal. Writer, director, and producer Phil Lord criticized the studios’ stance and accused them of evading entirely solvable problems that put writers and actors on the lower ends of the pay scale at risk.
Actors and Writers Demand Guarantees
Actors and writers have come together to demand guarantees about the use of AI in the industry. SAG-AFTRA’s chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, slammed the studios’ recent stance on AI, which would allow them to scan the faces of background performers for a single day’s work payment and use their likeness without consent or compensation for any project they desire.
The strike is a critical time for the industry, and the issues at hand necessitate addressing and engaging in difficult conversations. A fair deal is needed, which Kenneth Branagh and others will support. SAG-AFTRA represents a wide range of actors, from A-list stars such as Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and Glenn Close to day players who perform small roles on television series.
