Hollywood Actors Join Screenwriters' Strike, Leading to Industry's Biggest Shutdown in Over 60 Year

| 14 July 2023

In a historic move that has brought the US film and TV industry to a standstill, Hollywood actors have joined screenwriters in a strike that demands fairer profit sharing, improved working conditions, and protection against the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to replace actors. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) called for the strike, resulting in the cessation of most film and television productions across the country. This unprecedented move by the actors' union has garnered significant support from industry veterans and rising stars alike.

The primary concern driving the strike is the call for streaming giants to agree to a more equitable distribution of profits and improved working conditions. SAG aims to protect actors from being replaced by digital replicas and ensure that AI and computer-generated faces and voices are not used as substitutes. The union seeks guarantees that actors will remain an integral part of the entertainment industry and that their livelihoods will not be jeopardized by advancing technologies.

As a result of the strike, actors are refraining from appearing in films or promoting already completed movies. This has led to notable instances where stars, such as Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt, left the premiere of Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer in London, showing solidarity with the striking actors. Director Christopher Nolan himself voiced support for the strike, emphasizing his alignment with their cause.

Prominent actors took to social media platforms, including Instagram, to express their backing of the strike. Supporters of the movement include Bob Odenkirk from "Better Call Saul," Cynthia Nixon from "Sex and the City," and Hollywood veteran Jamie Lee Curtis. The strike is expected to intensify as picketing begins outside the headquarters of streaming giant Netflix, followed by protests at Paramount, Warner Bros, and Disney.

To address concerns surrounding the use of AI, major studios have offered what they consider a "ground-breaking proposal." The proposal aims to protect actors' digital likenesses and requires their consent when digital replicas or alterations are employed in performances. However, the AMPTP's offer was rejected by the SAG, with Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the SAG's national executive director and chief negotiator, deeming it unacceptable. The proposal, according to Crabtree-Ireland, did not adequately address the union's concerns regarding ownership and use of actors' scans, likenesses, and images.

The strike's impact extends beyond halting ongoing productions; it also disrupts the filmmaking process, making re-shoots and other essential elements impossible. Television shows currently in production will largely have to pause, although some arrangements may be made between performers and producers to allow limited work to continue. The strike will also affect the promotion of new releases and may lead to rescheduling or scaling back of events like the Emmys and Comic-Con.

The AMPTP expressed disappointment over the strike, highlighting the financial hardship it would cause for countless individuals reliant on the industry. The union responsible for the strike is officially known as the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Alongside fairer pay and working conditions, the union demands greater base pay and residuals for actors, especially those in minor roles who currently receive significantly less compensation than A-list actors. The "double strike" by the screenwriters and actors is the first since 1960, and it marks a significant moment for the industry.

Disney CEO Bob Iger, speaking before the announcement of the strike, expressed concern over the timing of the disruptions, deeming them impractical and detrimental to an industry still grappling with the recovery from the pandemic. While the Directors Guild of America reached a successful contract negotiation in June and will not participate in the strike, the collaboration between the screenwriters and actors marks a notable escalation in the ongoing labor disputes within the entertainment industry.

As Hollywood grapples with the ramifications of the actors' strike, the outcome remains uncertain. The unity among performers, writers, and directors highlights the pressing need for meaningful changes to address systemic inequalities and ensure a fair and sustainable future for all those involved in creating the magic of cinema and television.