Hollywood is set to come to a grinding halt as the world’s biggest stars have voted to go on strike. In an unprecedented move, the actors’ union has joined forces with screenwriters to launch a joint strike, bringing production across the entertainment industry to a standstill. The decision comes after talks for a new contract with major studios and streaming services broke down.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the executive director of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA), announced the union’s decision at a news conference. The strike was voted unanimously by the union’s leadership and is scheduled to begin at midnight.
This is the first strike for actors in film and television since 1980, and the first time two major Hollywood unions have gone on strike simultaneously since 1960. The strike will have far-reaching consequences, with the premiere of Christopher Nolan’s film Oppenheimer in London moved up an hour to allow the cast to walk the red carpet before the strike begins. The looming strike also casts a shadow over the upcoming 75th Emmy Awards.
The actors’ strike follows in the footsteps of the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which began after their own contract expired on May 2. The WGA strike has already caused disruptions, leading to the shutdown of late-night talk shows and scripted shows like Stranger Things and Family Guy. With actors now joining the picket lines, the impact on the industry is expected to be even more significant.
The negotiations between the unions and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents employers such as Disney, Netflix, and Amazon, have been contentious. The key issues at stake include base and residual pay, benefits, and concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in the industry. Both sides have expressed disappointment with the breakdown in talks, but the union insists the strike is necessary to address the financial hardships faced by many industry professionals.
Disney chief Bob Iger warned that an actors’ strike would have a very damaging effect on the whole industry. He stated that the expectations of the unions were unrealistic, especially considering the current disruptions caused by the Writers Guild strike.
The strike by SAG-AFTRA, which represents over 160,000 screen actors, broadcast journalists, announcers, hosts, and stunt performers, will primarily affect the union’s 65,000 actors working in television and film productions. The union had overwhelming support from its members to authorize the strike even before the negotiations began.
As Hollywood braces for the upcoming strike, the future of the entertainment industry remains uncertain. The impact on television and film productions, as well as the livelihoods of thousands of industry professionals, will be significant. The negotiations between the unions and the studios will be closely watched, and the hopes for a resolution remain uncertain. In the meantime, fans and industry insiders anxiously await the outcome of the strike and the potential fallout it may have on their favorite shows and movies.
