The former president of the Screen Actors Guild has criticized SAG-AFTRA’s policy on which Halloween costumes its striking members can wear.
The union has warned its members not to dress up as characters from movies or television series this Halloween, as such costumes would promote content made by studios with which the actors are in conflict. Instead, they should “choose costumes inspired by generalized characters and figures (ghost, zombie, spider, etc.).”
The SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) began a strike on July 14, due to a labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Talks between the two sides resumed on October 2, but broke down again on October 11, when the studios declared that negotiations were “no longer taking us in a positive direction.”
SAG-AFTRA demands a pay increase, a share of streaming revenue and protection against reproduction of actors’ images and voices using artificial intelligence. Most American film and television production at major studios has been paralyzed since the strike began.
Now, Melissa Gilbert, who was president of the union between 2001 and 2005, has criticized SAG-AFTRA for this policy, which she considers “nonsense” and “childish.”
Gilbert has not been the only person to criticize the policy. Mandy Moore also called out the union on social media, writing: “Is this a joke? Come on SAG-AFTRA. This is what’s important? We ask you to negotiate in good faith on our behalf. So many people in all aspects “This industry has sacrificed a lot for months. Come back to the table and come to a fair deal so everyone can get back to work. Please, thank you.”
Meanwhile, union member Ryan Reynolds mocked the policy, commenting, “I can’t wait to yell ‘scab’ at my 8-year-old daughter all night. She’s not in the union, but she needs to learn.”
2023-10-22 14:55:02
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