Exclusive: Hit TV Show Beats Odds, Resumes Filming Amidst Rare Actor's Strike Exemption
TV show defies actor strike, resumes filming, setting precedent for other productions Production halt not universal; hope for entertainment industry
Filming for The Chosen has resumed following a rare exemption granted amidst the ongoing SAG-AFTRA actors strike. Centered around the tales of Jesus from the New Testament, The Chosen presents an alternative perspective through the eyes of different characters. Previously uncertain about their exemption status, the series recently provided an update on Twitter confirming the approval of their SAG-AFTRA strike exemption.
This means The Chosen season 4, which started filming in March, will continue production despite the ongoing actors strike. The exemption is highly uncommon, and suggests that other independent productions may also receive similar exemptions as the SAG-AFTRA actors strike persists.
What The Chosen's Strike Exemption Means For Other Shows & Movies
The SAG-AFTRA actors strike has been prompted by a breakdown in negotiations between the union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Residuals for content on streaming services and the regulation of AI's involvement in the creation of movies and TV series are pivotal concerns driving this strike. As a result, participating actors are prohibited from filming new projects or promoting their upcoming films and shows.
It is extremely rare for The Chosen to be exempt from the strike, considering that most studios involved in the strike are part of the AMPTP. However, Angel Studios, the studio behind The Chosen, is not directly affiliated with the AMPTP, although certain seasons of the show have distribution deals with companies like Lionsgate. As The Chosen is an independent production by Angel Studios, it makes sense that SAG-AFTRA would grant them an exemption.
Well-known series such as The Last of Us or Stranger Things are unlikely to receive an exemption from the actors' strike, given their direct production by AMPTP-affiliated companies. Instead, it appears that SAG-AFTRA may only grant exemptions to films and series that are independent of the AMPTP. While major films have officially halted production, it seems that more independent projects like The Chosen could continue filming during the strike if SAG-AFTRA approves their waivers.
Source: The Chosen/Twitter
