Huge Strike in Hollywood as Actors and Artists Demand Better Pay
After 63 years, a massive strike is taking place in Hollywood, involving over 160,000 employees, including actors, television and radio artists, and screenwriters. The artists are concerned about the rise of artificial intelligence and are also protesting against below-average wages they have received for their work. The Hollywood film and television industry is facing a major crisis, and it does not seem to be improving anytime soon. The production of popular films and series has come to a halt.
After more than three weeks of negotiations, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the largest studios and streaming platforms including Amazon, Apple, Disney, Netflix, Sony, Paramount, Warner Bros Discovery, and NBCUniversal, has not been willing to offer a fair agreement on key issues that are important to the workers, according to Fran Drescher, the president of the SAG-AFTRA union.
Some actors have decided to disclose the amounts they received for their roles in films and series. One actor, Kimiko Glenn, drew attention when she revealed her paycheck for her role in the Netflix series ”Girls Behind Bars.” The series ran from 2013 to 2019, and Kimiko appeared in 44 episodes.
“I remember a lot of comments when I first revealed the amounts we were paid, saying that the guys got paid upfront. First of all, whether we got paid upfront or not, my breasts are on television forever. I deserve to be paid much more,” Glenn said in her speech, also mentioning the provocative scenes in which she had to undress.
Kimiko Glenn on the Hollywood strike
She also admitted that the actors’ pay in the series ”Girls Behind Bars” was very below average and was not enough to make a living. Most actors had to have a second job.
“Secondly, we never got paid well. And when I say we didn’t get paid well, I mean the amount wouldn’t even be enough to feed you, and you would starve. Our colleagues had to work as bartenders and have a second job,” the actress continued.
During the strike, they were internationally famous and couldn’t go out, but they had to maintain their second jobs because they couldn’t afford not to. “We couldn’t afford to stop a taxi on the street! I think it’s important to tell these stories. I think there is a widespread belief that it’s the Hollywood elite and everyone has money,” she concluded.
The series earned 38,000 crowns per month, and for one day of shooting, she received less than a thousand crowns after taxes. The actress also stated that many actors had to pay their own agents and managers, which almost took away their entire paycheck. The final straw for her was when Netflix, despite earning billions and bringing in viewership, sent her less than 600 crowns for appearing in 44 episodes of the series.
How has the strike impacted Hollywood, not only financially for studios and platforms but also for the release schedules and experiences of fans worldwide
To take matters into their own hands and join the picket lines alongside other industry workers. High-profile celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Tom Hanks have voiced their support for the strike, using their platforms to bring attention to the issues at hand.
One of the major concerns driving the strike is the increasing use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry. As technology advances, there are fears that AI will start replacing human actors and artists, resulting in job losses and decreased opportunities for those in the industry. The strike aims to address this issue and ensure that human talent continues to be valued and compensated fairly.
In addition to the AI concern, actors and artists are also demanding better pay. Many in the industry have been struggling with below-average wages that do not adequately reflect their talent, skills, and contributions to the success of films, TV shows, and other forms of entertainment. The strike seeks to rectify this disparity and secure better compensation for all workers in the field.
The impact of the strike is being felt throughout Hollywood, with the production of popular films and series coming to a standstill. The pause in production not only affects the financial viability of studios and streaming platforms but also disrupts the release schedules and viewing experiences of countless fans worldwide.
Negotiations between the striking workers and the AMPTP have been ongoing for over three weeks, but no fair agreement has been reached. The AMPTP, representing major film studios and streaming giants, has not been willing to address the key concerns of the workers, further escalating tensions and deepening the crisis in the industry. Fran Drescher, president of the SAG-AFTRA union, has expressed disappointment with the AMPTP’s lack of willingness to offer a fair deal.
The strike continues to gain momentum as more actors and artists join the picket lines in solidarity with their fellow workers. It is hoped that the massive show of unity and public support will eventually lead to a resolution that benefits all those involved in the entertainment industry.
Hollywood, known for its glitz and glamour, is currently facing a major upheaval as actors, artists, and other industry workers demand better pay and protection against the threat of artificial intelligence. The strike serves as a powerful reminder that behind the scenes, there are countless individuals who tirelessly work to bring entertainment to our screens and deserve fair treatment and compensation for their contributions.
