Hollywood actors have joined screenwriters in a strike that has caused the industry’s biggest shutdown in over 60 years. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) initiated the strike, with 160,000 performers in Los Angeles ceasing work to demand a fairer split of profits and better working conditions from streaming giants. The union is also seeking guarantees that artificial intelligence (AI) and computer-generated faces and voices will not be used to replace actors. As a result of the strike, most US film and TV productions have come to a halt, and actors are unable to appear in or promote their films. The strike has received support from actors such as Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt, who left the premiere of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in London as the strike was declared. Picketing is set to begin outside the California headquarters of Netflix, followed by Paramount, Warner Bros, and Disney. The big studios have offered a proposal to address concerns about the use of AI, but the union rejected it. The strike has significant implications for the industry, affecting films in production, re-shoots, and ongoing TV shows. It may also impact events like the Emmys and Comic-Con. The strike by SAG coincides with a separate strike by the Writers Guild of America, which has been ongoing since May. The “double strike” is the first since 1960 and comes at a challenging time for the industry as it recovers from the pandemic.
How does the strike by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) align with the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America and what impact could it have on the entertainment industry
Hollywood A-listers have united with screenwriters in a game-changing strike that has brought the industry to a standstill, marking the largest shutdown in over 60 years. Spearheaded by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), a whopping 160,000 performers in Los Angeles have downed tools, demanding fairer profit shares and improved working conditions from streaming giants. Additionally, the union is adamant about securing assurances that actors won’t be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) and computer-generated faces and voices. This impactful strike has halted the majority of US film and TV productions, leaving actors unable to participate in or support their own projects.
Receiving wholehearted backing, renowned actors such as Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt exhibited their support by exiting the London premiere of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer upon hearing news of the strike. The next move for protestors involves picketing outside the headquarters of Netflix in California, with plans in place to target Paramount, Warner Bros, and Disney soon after. While the major studios have presented a proposal to address concerns surrounding AI usage, the union has rejected it outright.
Unquestionably, this strike bears significant consequences for the entertainment industry, impacting films currently in production, re-shoots, and ongoing TV series. Furthermore, it could potentially disrupt major events like the Emmys and Comic-Con. Coinciding with this bold move by SAG is a parallel strike by the Writers Guild of America, which has been ongoing since May. The convergence of these “double strikes” marks the first time since 1960, and the timing couldn’t be more challenging for an industry still grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic. Rest assured, this power play by Hollywood’s finest promises to reshape the future of the industry itself.
