Hollywood Actors’ Strike Looms as Deadline Passes Without Deal
The deadline for Hollywood actors to reach a deal with major film and television studios passed on Thursday without any immediate indication of whether a strike would be called. Talks were held on Wednesday with mediators in a last-ditch effort to avoid a second industry strike. SAG-AFTRA, Hollywood’s largest union, had already authorized a strike if negotiations did not result in a deal by midnight in Los Angeles.
A-list stars, including Jennifer Lawrence and Meryl Streep, have voiced their support for the industrial action. If the strike goes ahead, stars would not be able to promote new releases or attend industry events such as Comic-Con, which is set to be held next week.
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, television and radio presenters, and other media professionals. The union is demanding higher compensation from streaming services and higher pay to counteract inflation. Actors also earn “residuals” every time a production they star in is aired on a network or cable, but streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ do not disclose viewing figures and pay actors a flat rate regardless of viewership.
Additionally, the union is demanding safeguards around the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Actors want assurances that their digital images will not be used without their permission.
In negotiations so far, union negotiators agreed to a studio request to bring in a federal mediator. However, SAG-AFTRA expressed disappointment in studio representatives for leaking information to the media and stated that there would be no change in the Wednesday night deadline that would trigger a strike.
The strike threatened by SAG-AFTRA follows similar action by the industry’s main writers’ union, the Writers Guild of America (WGA), in May. The WGA strike disrupted most production for the autumn TV season and the filming of some big-budget movies.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) has offered “generous” pay raises but could not agree to all of the demands. If SAG-AFTRA announces a walkout, it would lead to a “double strike” not seen in Hollywood since 1960 and halt most US film and television productions.
How would a strike by Hollywood actors impact the industry, specifically in terms of promotions and industry events
Hollywood Actors on the Verge of Strike as Deadline Expiration Signals No Deal
The deadline for Hollywood actors to reach an agreement with major film and television studios has passed without any immediate clarity on whether a strike will be declared. In a last-ditch effort to avoid another industry strike, discussions took place on Wednesday with mediators. SAG-AFTRA, Hollywood’s largest union, had already granted authorization for a strike if negotiations failed to produce a deal by midnight in Los Angeles.
Renowned stars such as Jennifer Lawrence and Meryl Streep have expressed their support for the potential industrial action. If the strike takes place, celebrities would be unable to promote new releases or attend crucial industry events like Comic-Con, scheduled for next week.
SAG-AFTRA represents around 160,000 actors, television and radio hosts, and other media professionals. The union is seeking increased compensation from streaming services and higher wages to offset inflation. Currently, actors receive “residuals” each time their featured production is aired on a network or cable channel. However, streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ withhold viewing data and pay actors a fixed rate regardless of viewership.
Furthermore, the union is demanding safeguards concerning the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Actors are seeking assurances that their digital likeness will not be exploited without their consent.
Throughout the negotiations, union representatives agreed to bring in a federal mediator at the studio’s request. However, SAG-AFTRA expressed disappointment in the studio’s representatives for leaking information to the media. The union confirmed that the Wednesday night deadline, triggering a potential strike, remained unchanged.
The possibility of a strike follows a similar action taken by the Writers Guild of America (WGA), the primary writers’ union in the industry, in May. The WGA strike severely disrupted production for the autumn TV season and the filming of some high-budget movies.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) has offered “generous” wage increases but could not satisfy all of the demands. If SAG-AFTRA declares a walkout, it would result in a “double strike” unseen in Hollywood since 1960. This would effectively halt a majority of film and television productions across the US.
It’s disheartening to see the Hollywood actors’ strike deadline passing without any immediate resolution. This situation only highlights the growing divide between the industry’s actors and major studio executives. It’s crucial for both parties to come to the table, listen, and negotiate in good faith to ensure a fair and sustainable future for everyone involved in the entertainment world. Time is of the essence, and the longer this standoff persists, the greater the impact on the entire industry.
It’s disheartening to see the Hollywood actors’ strike deadline come and go without an immediate resolution. As fans, we hope that the industry can swiftly address the concerns of these talented artists. The impact of a strike on the entertainment world would be immense, reminding us all of the importance of fair treatment for those who bring our favorite stories to life.