Posted by On Thursday, the union for more than 150,000 TV and movie actors said they would go on strike at midnight. Joining the May screenwriting strike and shutting down Hollywood for the first time in 63 years.
Here are the things you need to know about this strike:
Why do the actors and writers strike?
Most work strikes are about money, and this one is no different. The rise of streaming and the problems caused by the pandemic have put a lot of pressure on studios. Many are struggling financially, and actors and writers demand more pay and more rights in a changing environment.
Both actors and screenwriters have asked streaming services for higher residual payouts, a type of royalty. Most streaming series have shorter shows than most TV series. Popular TV shows used to guarantee a steady stream of leftover checks for actors and writers. Streaming has changed the system in a way that they say hurts them. Both groups also want strong limits on how artificial intelligence can be used to protect jobs.
Last month, A-list actors sent a letter to guild leaders saying they were ready to go on strike and that this was “an unprecedented turning point in our industry.”
Where do the Hollywood studios stand?
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which includes major studios and streaming services, said it offered “historic pay and residual increases,” as well as higher caps on pension and health contributions. They also say that their plan includes the following:
- Audition protections.
- A “groundbreaking” proposal on artificial intelligence.
- Other benefits address the union’s worries.
The Hollywood companies have also said that all the changes in the industry have been hard for them as well. As moviegoers have been slow to return to theaters and home viewers have switched from cable and network TV to streaming entertainment, many companies have seen their share prices fall, and their profit margins shrink. Some companies have had to lay off workers, cancel projects, or both.
What will happen to my favorite flicks and TV shows?
Most of the movies coming out this year have already been shot, so moviegoers will take a while to notice a difference. But TV fans are already seeing the effects of the strike, and if it lasts too long, the next seasons of some popular shows could be delayed.
Because of the writers’ strike, late-night shows are already showing reruns, and most TV and movie projects have stopped or slowed down. After the writers’ strike started, work stopped on popular shows like “Yellowjackets,” “Severance,” and “Stranger Things.” It’s not clear yet if their future seasons will be delayed.
In June, when the writers’ strike was going on, Disney changed a few movies that would be shown in theaters.
Now, the strike by actors will make things even worse.
FilmLA, which keeps track of production activity, says that no scripted TV permits were given in Los Angeles County during the first two weeks of July. Films and TV shows that have finished filming and are already in post-production will likely stay on schedule because the remaining work usually doesn’t involve writers or actors.
With only a few exceptions, you can no longer work on movies or TV shows with any of the companies. And that means that in a few months, starting with the fall schedule, fans will see bigger changes in what they watch on TV.
For example, ABC’s fall schedule will start off with “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” “Dancing With the Stars,” and “Judge Steve Harvey,” along with reruns of “Abbott Elementary.” Unscripted shows like “Celebrity Name That Tune,” “The Masked Singer,” and “Kitchen Nightmares” are on the fall schedule for the Fox television network.
How long could this strike go on?
We wish we knew.
Writers have been on strike for more than 70 days, and their union, the Writers Guild of America, has not yet started negotiating with the companies again.
The last time both writers and actors went on strike at the same time was in 1960 when Ronald Reagan was in charge of the Screen Actors Guild.
Screenwriters have gone on strike more than once, sometimes for long periods. For example, their strike in 2007 ran 100 days. The last big walkout by actors was in 1980, which lasted more than three months.
What about advertising new shows and movies?
Officials have said there will be no promotion of ongoing projects, either online or in person, shortly. Ryan Gosling won’t be promoting “Barbie” again any time soon. A ban on advertising could be terrible for Comic-Con in San Diego, upcoming film festivals in Venice and Toronto, and arranged movie premieres like the one for “Oppenheimer” on Monday in New York.
The 75th Emmy Awards may be in danger, for which nominations were released yesterday. The ceremony has already been talked about delaying, possibly by months.
SOURCE: NYTimes
Anisa is a writer who focuses on career and lifestyle topics in an effort to motivate both job searchers and employers towards greater fulfillment in their professional lives.
Reach me at anisa@jobstore.com.