What to know about the SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike
After weeks of talks between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached an impasse, Hollywood’s actors joined writers on picket lines for first time in 63 years.
Who is on strike?
Actors who are members of SAG-AFTRA who work under the union’s film and TV contract with companies that belong to the AMPTP, a group that represents all the major producers in Hollywood.
The Writers Guild of America has been on strike since May.
Here’s a detailed list of types of film and TV industry jobs that are on strike as well as those that aren’t.
The last time Hollywood actors and writers were both on strike was 1960. The president of the Screen Actors Guild at the time was an actor named Ronald Reagan.
How did the strike happen?
SAG-AFTRA, a 160,000-member performers union, voted in favor of a strike authorization by 98% before negotiations began with the studios in June. After they couldn’t reach an agreement by the contract expiration on June 30, they extended talks for two weeks until July 12. Then, a federal mediator was brought in before the extension ended with no new contract.
On July 13, the SAG-AFTRA board voted to approve the strike. Actors joined the picket lines July 14.
Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA and former star of “The Nanny,” delivered a fiery speech when the union announced its strike plans.
This story details what went wrong between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP.
Why are the actors on strike?
SAG-AFTRA proposed that a third-party company measure the success of shows and that residual payments be tied to how they perform. AMPTP companies rejected that idea, arguing that many streaming platforms are not yet profitable.
Other sticking points were over self-taped auditions, contributions to the union’s health and pension plan and a pay increase.
Artificial intelligence also emerged as a major issue in negotiations.
Where can striking actors get help?
There are a number of grants, loans and other funds that impacted members of SAG-AFTRA can access.
An Arlington Heights food bank offers free groceries to writers and actors on strike.
What films and TV shows are shut down because of the strike?
Some high-profile projects already in production, including “Deadpool 3” with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, and “Gladiator 2,” starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington, have shut down because of the strike.
What movies and TV shows are still in production during the strike?
SAG-AFTRA has granted waivers to some independent films and television shows. The projects allowed to continue filming are not affiliated with the major studios and streaming giants that are members of the AMPTP.
Projects with big names attached, including Mel Gibson, Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega are among those allowed to continue filming.
The work stoppage does not apply to performers who work under other contracts, such as actors who work on commercials, soap operas and talk shows. Broadcasters who are in the union are also not impacted.
Can actors go to premieres and film festivals?
Actors (and writers) cannot attend promotional events.
SAG-AFTRA specifies that actors cannot act, sing, dance, perform stunts, pilot on-camera aircraft, puppeteer or do performance capture and motion capture work in front of the camera.
Impacted events include San Diego Comic-Con and the London premiere of “Oppenheimer.”
The strikes are also impacting the film festival circuit. “Challengers,” which stars Zendaya, was supposed to open the Venice Film Festival in August and its theatrical release date has been pushed to 2024.
Amid a pair of Hollywood strikes that have found screenwriters and actors questioning the rise of artificial intelligence, studios and streaming companies are bulking up on AI staff.
As the actors’ strike continues, SAG-AFTRA Foundation announced it has raised more than $15 million in the last three weeks for its emergency assistance program.
The striking actors’ fight for improved residual payments and AI protections received the support of the New York City Council’s committee on civil service and labor.
As the SAG-AFTRA strike continued, we visited Residuals Tavern, an actor bar in Studio City, to chat up people in the entertainment industry.
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Viola Davis said that she does ‘not feel that it would be appropriate’ to film her movie ‘G20’ during the strike, despite having SAG-AFTRA’s blessing to do so.
The telecast for the Emmys is set to be delayed for the first time since 2001, when they were pushed to November due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Disabled workers say they’re a canary in the coal mine: “If disability is on the caboose of the writing chain, we will be the first people to get pushed out.”
Harrison Ford’s stunt double in “Indiana Jones” picketed while on fire at SAG-AFTRA in Atlanta to advocate for stunt workers.
Self-taped auditions, once thought to be a convenience, have spiraled into a problem for SAG-AFTRA members who want protections against potential abuse.
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With writers and actors sidelined by strikes, Comic-Con 2023 still attracted throngs of fans. But observers say the disruptions of recent years have taken a toll.
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Here’s a breakdown of who is and isn’t walking the picket line.
SAG-AFTRA is allowing a select number of films and shows to keep filming amid the actors’ strike. Titles include two A24 movies and another by Mel Gibson.
On the picket lines: Hilary Duff sings a ‘Lizzie McGuire’ song, Kevin Bacon chants and Jason Sudeikis is willing to strike for ‘as long as it takes.’
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Tom Cruise spoke against AI and advocated for stunt workers during a SAG-AFTRA negotiating session with film and TV studios in June before the strike.
Emergency funds are available for actors on strike who are experiencing significant financial hardship.
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WGA and SAG-AFTRA members who show their card at World Harvest Food Bank in Arlington Heights can fill a grocery cart with anything on the shelves.
As SAG-AFTRA members join writers on picket lines, the fallout will disrupt Hollywood film and TV productions worldwide. ‘There’s going to be blood in the water,’ said one analyst. ‘This will not end well.’
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Actors are striking against the major Hollywood studios for the first time in 43 years. Here’s what to know.
Actors joined writers on picket lines Friday as SAG-AFTRA launched its own strike against studios and streamers, after the two sides failed to reach a deal for a new contract.
Sweating workers across multiple industries in the Los Angeles area hit the (hot) pavement in continuing protest actions.
Productions around the globe featuring stars such as Clint Eastwood, Jenna Ortega, Brad Pitt and Cynthia Erivo will be affected as actors join writers on picket lines.
How did talks between actors and studios collapse, resulting in the first strike under the film and TV contract since 1980?
The cast of “Oppenheimer” walked out of the London premiere Thursday while the event was underway, in solidarity with the just-authorized SAG-AFTRA strike.
Read SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher’s entire speech Thursday announcing the actors’ strike.
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SAG-AFTRA, which represents 160,000 performers, said its negotiating committee voted to recommend a strike after efforts to negotiate a new contract failed.
The actors’ union and the studios agreed to ask a mediator to help facilitate talks. Tensions remained high as a strike threat remained.
Some members asked why SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher attended a fashion show in Italy with Kim Kardashian and others as a deadline looms to avert a strike.
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If actors go on strike they would join Hollywood’s writers, who are entering their sixth week of a walkout.
The move increases pressure on the major studios, which are in the midst of a standoff with Hollywood writers, who went on strike May 2.
As the contract between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers expires, a strike has been called.
