Hollywood actors and screenwriters have joined forces in an unprecedented strike, halting the massive movie and television industry as they demand higher wages and protection against the threat of artificial intelligence (AI). This marks the first industry-wide walkout in 63 years and is set to have a significant impact on popular TV series and potentially delay major film releases.
After failing to reach an agreement with studios addressing their worries about declining pay and the growing influence of AI, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) authorised the walkout. Following a unanimous decision by the SAG-AFTRA board, the union announced the call for a strike.
Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA, highlighted the seriousness of the situation during a press conference, saying, “This is a moment of history, a moment of truth — if we don’t stand tall right now, we are all going to be in trouble.” Drescher highlighted worries about big business control and the automation of acting.
Actors will join the picket lines alongside the striking writers, creating the first Hollywood double strike since 1960. Writers have already been protesting for 11 weeks, demanding similar improvements in their working conditions.
Due to the stoppage of practically all productions and film sets, the strike will have a significant impact. Talk shows, reality TV, and animation are a few examples of exceptions. Major studios have already started rearranging their plans, and major movie releases may be delayed if the strikes continue. The summer blockbuster season will be particularly impacted because actors won’t be able to promote eagerly anticipated movies. For example, the cast of the movie “Oppenheimer” skipped the London premiere in support of the strike.
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, ranging from A-list stars like Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and Glenn Close to day players who take on minor roles in television series. The last strike by the actors’ union occurred in 1980 and lasted over three months.
The union is upset about the decline in actor pay brought on by the emergence of streaming services as well as the removal of royalties that it once received from television reruns of episodes or movies. This problem has been made worse by streamers’ refusal to provide audience statistics. Additionally, guarantees regarding the usage of AI in the industry are something that both performers and authors are requesting.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) offered what they described as “historic” pay raises and a proposal related to AI. However, the actors’ union deemed the offers inadequate, accusing the studios of being greedy and highlighting the potential financial hardship faced by industry workers.
Hollywood heavyweights like writer, director, and producer Phil Lord have attacked the studios’ handling of the discussions, despite the studios defending their stance. Lord chastised the AMPTP for neglecting to address issues that could have an impact on writers’ and performers’ lower pay scales.
The strike is predicted to have a significant effect on the entertainment sector and might cause production and release dates to be delayed significantly. However, their worries are reflective of the persistent difficulties experienced by professionals in a market dominated by technology and shifting business models.