It is the largest strike in the film industry since 1980. What led to it and how are Hollywood actors reacting to it?
SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents more than 160,000 film and television stars, is officially going on strike — and several of the affected actors are voicing their support. Both on the red carpet and on Instagram and Twitter, the stars are calling for higher pay in view of rising inflation and a regulated approach to artificial intelligence.
Hollywood strike: the reactions of the stars
On Thursday, July 13, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher announced the union's strike. No agreement could be reached in negotiations with the AMPTP association (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers). “Despite our team’s commitment to advocating for you, the AMPTP has refused to acknowledge that enormous changes in the industry and economy have had a negative impact on those who work for the studios,” Drescher said. The president added: “What is happening to us is happening in all areas of work… [employers] forget the essential contributors who keep the machine running.” Drescher concluded: “We demand respect… because without us you cannot exist. “
Actors leave film premiere
At the same time, the premiere of Christopher Nolan's film “Oppenheimer” took place in London. The cast had been informed in advance of the union's intentions and after the strike was called, the stars, including Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh,Matt Damonand Cillian Murphy, who left the premiere to show their solidarity. Filmmaker Christopher Nolan confirmed later in the evening that the cast had left the premiere due to the "fight for fair wages."
What this means for the film industry
The announcement has sparked a huge wave of reactions from affected stars. A strike will bring Hollywood to a virtual standstill - shortly after the spectacular premieres of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer", as well as nominations for the 2023 Emmy Awards.
Jamie Lynn Spears, who has projects coming out with both Netflix and Paramount later this month, took to her Instagram Stories on Thursday to let us know what she thinks about the strike.
“It's important and necessary that we all stand together, but it's also heartbreaking and triggers a lot of complicated feelings because you've worked so hard with so many other people - not just yourself - to make this happen, and this is “It’s time to celebrate it,” she said.
Spears, 32, who is a member of SAG-AFTRA, explained that because of the strike, she and her fellow actors are not allowed to do "ongoing press work, social media promotion, premieres, etc." for projects that have been completed or are currently in the works are.
Many celebrities have already spoken out in support of the strike. Barbie star Margot Robbie said she supports the actors' strike and all unions and is ready to join the picket line.
Why are Hollywood actors striking?
Pay is often the focus of work stoppages, and that is the case here. Both authors and actors are pushing for changes in compensation to reflect rising inflation, shrinking residual salaries - the money you get when a work is reused, and the shorter TV seasons favored by many streaming platforms. Both groups also want aggressive guardrails for the use of artificial intelligence to preserve jobs.
Top actors signed a letter to guild leadership last month expressing their willingness to strike and calling the moment an "unprecedented turning point in our industry."
