In May, writers left their jobs in protest over wages, working conditions, and a lack of safeguards against the development of artificial intelligence (AI).
The stoppage could have an impact on high-profile movies now under development, such as the Avatar and Gladiator sequels.
Actors are unable to perform in movies or even promote them while the strike is ongoing.
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 biggest names in film and television have shown their support to the demonstrations, including the cast of the upcoming Oppenheimer film, who left the red carpet on Thursday night.
The two guilds demand better pay, higher royalties, more 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.
Red-carpet premieres, publicity chats, and occasions like the Emmys and Comic-Con have already been postponed, rescheduled, or scaled back.
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. It is obvious that 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.
The current 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 own 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.
According to spokesperson Robyn Patterson, “The President supports workers’ right to strike and hopes the parties can come to a mutually beneficial agreement.”
Due to UK labour restrictions, actors represented by Equity, SAG’s sister union in the UK, must continue to work as usual. That includes the House of the Dragon cast from HBO.
However, the union has warned US businesses that it will be monitoring any attempts to shift US productions to the UK with “very close attention.”
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