SAG-AFTRA, the union representing Hollywood actors, has officially joined the writers on strike against the film and TV companies, igniting the entertainment industrys first dual shutdown in 63 years.
Once the strike which will start at midnight on Thursday, with picketing to begin on Friday morning commences, the tens of thousands of film and television actors in SAG must cease all work covered by their union contract.
Film and television productions will shut down, but the work stoppage has reverberations that extend beyond actors going to set. According to the guidelines, SAG-AFTRA members will not be able to attend premieres, do interviews for completed work, go to awards shows, attend film festivals or even promote projects on social media while the strike is in effect. They are also not allowed to attend conventions such as Comic-Con or 90s Con to promote any past or present work made under a SAG-AFTRA contract.
We are being victimized by a very greedy enterprise, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said during Thursdays press conference. At some point you have to say, No, were not going to take this anymore.'
SAG-AFTRA is fighting for higher wages, increased residual payments and protections around using artificial intelligence. The Writers Guild of America is already on the picket lines, marking only the second time in Hollywood history that actors and writers have been on strike at the same time. The WGA, which has been on strike since May 2, has since relaxed some of its rules surrounding press for members.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios, argues it presented a deal that offered historic pay and residual increases, a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors digital likenesses for SAG-AFTR members and more.
A strike is certainly not the outcome we hoped for as studios cannot operate without the performers that bring our TV shows and films to life, theAMPTPsaid in a statement after the strike was confirmed. The Union has regrettably chosen a path that will lead to financial hardship for countless thousands of people who depend on the industry.
In response to the AMPTPs statement, SAG-AFTRAs chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said at the press conference, If you think this is a historic proposal, think again.
Read the memo, with the full list of everything that members arent allowed to do during the strike, below:
Except as set forth in the Notice to Members Regarding Non-Struck Work, all covered services and performing work under the TV/ theatrical contracts must be withheld, including but not limited to:
Principal on camera work, such as:
Acting
Singing
Dancing
Performing stunts
Piloting on-camera aircraft
Puppeteering
Performance capture or motion capture work;
Principal off camera work, such as:
ADR/Looping
TV Trailers (promos) and Theatrical Trailers
Voice Acting
Singing
Narration, including audio descriptive services except as the services may be covered by another collective bargaining agreement referred in the Notice to
Members Regarding Non-Struck Work
Stunt coordinating and related services
Background work
Stand-in work
Photo and/or body doubles
Fittings, wardrobe tests, and makeup tests
Rehearsals and camera tests
Scanning
Interviews and auditions (including via self-tape)
Promotion of/publicity services for work under the TV/Theatrical Contracts, such as:
Tours
Personal appearances
Interviews
Conventions
Fan expos
Festivals
For your consideration events
Panels
Premieres/screenings
Award shows
Junkets
Podcast appearances
Social media
Studio showcases
Negotiating and/or entering into and/or consenting to:
An agreement to perform covered services in the future
Any new agreement related to merchandising connected to a covered project
The creation and use of digital replicas, including through the reuse of prior work
Performing on a trailer for a struck production or other ancillary content connected to a struck production