Understanding the Implications of the SAG-AFTRA Suspension - Analyzing the Impact on Movies and TV Shows
The SAG-AFTRA strike is causing major disruptions in Hollywood Find out why actors are striking, which movies and shows will be affected, and if journalism is allowed to continue amid the strike
The SAG-AFTRA actors strike is currently in full swing. However, for those unaware of its implications, here's a brief overview. Hollywood has experienced tumultuous times recently, starting with the WGA strike in May, followed by the significant director's deal, and now, actors are uniting to combat the exploitation by industry executives.
SAG-AFTRA, the union that combines the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, is the largest union for performers and broadcasters worldwide, representing over 160,000 media artists. Currently, this union is at the forefront of an actor's strike in the United States. However, we will delve into the specifics by discussing the strikers' demands, the leaders of the strike, and the shows and movies that will be impacted.
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Newest strike updates
As of November 9, 2023, the SAG-AFTRA strike is over, with an 86% vote. Read more about the results of the strike here.
When did the actors strike begin?
The SAG-AFTRA strike commenced on Thursday, July 13, 2023, marking the union's first strike in over 40 years. With an overwhelming 97.91% support, SAG-AFTRA members had authorized a vote in June to establish negotiation terms. Following the expiration of their contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the union formally announced its decision to strike.
The strike actually began midway through the London premiere of summer blockbuster Oppenheimer, causing all of its stars to exit the event early.
According to Christopher Nolan, the director of the film, they left because they anticipate that SAG will soon go on strike. They are standing in solidarity with the Writers Guild to fight for fair wages for union members. Their support for the cause remains unwavering.
Why are actors striking in the US?
Following unsuccessful negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP, which represents major studios such as Disney, NBC Universal, Netflix, Paramount, and Warner Bros., a series of strikes was initiated. As a result, the union has determined that striking is now the sole option in the pursuit of fulfilling their demands.
In negotiations, the primary concerns raised were related to the decrease in workers' residuals and compensation caused by streaming platforms. This is an issue that is also being addressed by the WGA strikes. Additionally, there were objections to Hollywood companies intending to scan performers for a day and use their AI likeness without their consent or any form of remuneration in future projects.
As a consequence of the strike, actors are prohibited from participating in any major feature films or scripted television productions. They are also unable to promote projects that are covered by their current contracts.
In a speech, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher expressed, "We had no choice but to take action, as we find ourselves in the position of victims. We are being unjustly treated by an exceedingly greedy organization. The manner in which our business partners are treating us is shocking and unbelievable. The stark contrast between our positions on various matters is truly disheartening. They claim to be losing money while generously enriching their CEOs with hundreds of millions of dollars. It is utterly disgusting and they should be ashamed of themselves."
Have Hollywood studios responded to the strikes?
Although other studios have expressed their interest in resuming negotiations, it is important to note that A24 is currently the only major studio to accept the terms laid out by the union. Many of these studios had previously disregarded the strikes.
NPR was told by the AMPTP that the decision to choose lies with the Union, not with us. Instead of ongoing negotiations, SAG-AFTRA has taken actions that will worsen the financial difficulties faced by numerous individuals who rely on the industry for their livelihoods.
The AMPTP has defended its pre-strike negotiations with the union, stating that it offered a protective agreement that includes "unprecedented salary hikes" and an "innovative AI plan." Regarding individual Hollywood executives, Variety reports that Disney CEO Bob Iger criticized SAG-AFTRA's demands as "unreasonable" and "troubling."
US networks are addressing the shortage of new media by increasing the presence of unscripted content in their upcoming fall lineups, featuring shows like The Masked Singer, The Amazing Race, Survivor, and Kitchen Nightmares.
Which movies and TV shows will be delayed?
The list of TV shows experiencing delays is constantly expanding, encompassing a wide range of projects. These delays are impacting any upcoming media that involves actors affiliated with SAG, even if they were not previously affected by the WGA strike.
Saturday Night Live
The Morning Show
The Handmaid’s Tale
Hacks
Peacemaker
Abbott Elementary
Grey’s Anatomy
Movies that will likely be delayed by the strikes include:
Parts 1 & 2
3
3 & 4
Mufasa:
In Peru, the strikes will have a significant impact on the promotion of film and TV. Emmy campaigns, Comic Con panels, and interviews discussing an actor's ongoing projects will all come to a halt. Additionally, there will be no participation in the Venice or Toronto film festivals, and the famous Barbie pink carpets will also be absent.
What Hollywood work can continue – Is journalism allowed?
Multiple popular shows, including HBO's House of the Dragon Season 2, will surprisingly continue production. The actors in this show are covered by the UK union Equity, rather than SAG, which allows them to bypass the strike. Additionally, despite the ongoing strike, filming for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 will also continue, according to Variety.
In addition, many A24 projects and Taylor Swift's Era's Tour movie can proceed unaffected by the strike. Both the smaller studio and Swift herself are in agreement with SAG-AFTRA's demands, particularly since Swift is a member of SAG.
Unscripted television shows, including talk shows, reality shows, gaming competitions, soap operas, and non-theatrically released documentaries, will be able to continue without any impact due to their separate contracts. According to the official SAG-AFTRA guidance, actors can still participate in commercials, sponsored influencer content, television animation, sound recordings, audiobooks, music videos, video games, podcasts, educational content, and broadcast news. However, they are not allowed to mention any previous work done with opposing studios.
The strike will not involve theater performers, as their stage acting largely falls under the jurisdiction of the Actors' Equity union, rather than SAG-AFTRA. Consequently, Broadway productions will remain unaffected, enabling screen actors to continue their performances onstage.
This also means that theme park performers, including the ones performing at the Haunted Manion premiere, are not breaking the strike.
SAG-AFTRA commented that "micro-budget" independent films and student films will be permitted, and independent producers outside the AMPTP can request interim agreements for their projects. SAG-AFTRA also addressed the role of TV and Movies journalism in relation to these changes.
Are the WGA strike and the SAG-AFTRA strike connected?
This is the first instance of writers and actors participating in a joint strike since 1960, during the tenure of Ronald Reagan as SAG president. The collective power of striking workers is enhanced when they unite, and the SAG-AFTRA strikes were likely influenced by the recent months of WGA strikes. Tensions have been mounting in both sectors of Hollywood over the past few years. It is possible that the alarming remarks made by studio executives concerning the WGA strike motivated actors to take action.
Following the actors strike declaration, the Writers Guild of America swiftly received backing from its members who showed their support on the picket line. In a reciprocal manner, actors had already demonstrated their support for the writers prior to initiating their own strike.
As per Scott Moore, the co-writer of popular films like The Hangover and Bad Moms, "People are drawn to attractive faces. Actors tend to be more visually appealing than writers, and consequently, they receive greater public attention."
We’ll be sure to keep you updated as the story progresses. For all the latest entertainment news, be sure to check out our page here.
Editor's P/S
The SAG-AFTRA strike is a major event in the entertainment industry, and it has the potential to have a significant impact on movies and TV shows. The strike is the result of a dispute between the union and the studios over wages and working conditions. The union is seeking better pay for its members, as well as more control over how their work is used.
The studios, on the other hand, are resisting the union's demands, arguing that they are too costly. The strike has already caused some productions to be delayed or canceled, and it is likely to have a further impact on the industry in the coming months. As a passionate fan, I am concerned about the impact that the strike will have on my favorite shows and movies. I hope that the two sides can come to an agreement soon so that production can resume and we can continue to enjoy the entertainment that we love.
