Hollywood actors announced on Thursday that they would join screenwriters on strikes against studios. This is the first joint strike in the industry since the 1960s.
The actors’ guild announced in a statement that their negotiation period had expired without a contract having been concluded. The statement came hours after the Emmy nominations were announced.the best of tv, this year.
Negotiations for a new contract with studios and streaming services failed.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher (left) and SAG-AFTRA National Executive and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland speak during a press conference announcing a strike by the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio on Thursday 13th July Artists – will be announced. 2023, Los Angeles. This is the first time Hollywood actors and screenwriters have gone on strike simultaneously since the 1960s.
Credit: Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, executive director of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), said at a news conference Union leaders voted to go on strike hours after their contracts expired and will end negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents their employers, including Disney, Netflix, Amazon and others.
“The strike is an instrument of last resort,” he said.
Union leaders told the conference that they had voted unanimously to start the strike at midnight. Outside Netflix’s Hollywood offices, unemployed screenwriters chanted, “Pay your actors!” immediately after the strike was announced.
The announcement was felt during the premiere of Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s new production, after the actors pulled out after initially going to the cinema for the premiere.
It is the first strike by film and television actors since 1980. And it’s the first time since 1960 that two major Hollywood unions have gone on strike at the same time.when Ronald Reagan was President of the Screen Actors Guild.
What are the actors saying?
“Companies have refused to get involved in some areas, while others have completely blocked us. “Unless they negotiate in good faith, we cannot reach an agreement,” he said. Fran Drescher, the star of The Nannywho is now President of the Actors Guild.
The group representing the studios, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), expressed disappointment. for not reaching an agreement.
“It’s the union’s decision, not ours. “In doing so, she has scrapped our offer of raises and royalties, significantly higher pension and health insurance contribution limits, hearing protection, shorter series option periods, a groundbreaking artificial intelligence proposal that shields digital images from actors, and much more,” the AMPTP said in an explanation.
He added, “Rather than continue to negotiate, SAG-AFTRA has set us on a path that will exacerbate the financial hardship of thousands who depend on the industry for their livelihoods.”
What do the producers and heads of Hollywood studios say?
Disney boss Bob Iger warned on Thursday An actors’ strike would have “very damaging effects on the entire industry”.
“This is the worst time on earth for this disorder to increase,” Iger said in an appearance on CNBC. “The expectations (of the striking unions) are simply unrealistic.”
A contract extension and nearly two weeks of negotiations increased hostility between the two sides.
Before negotiations began on June 7, 65,000 actors voted overwhelmingly to go on strikeas did the Writers Guild of America when his contract expired more than two months ago.
As the original end of June deadline approached, more than 1,000 union members including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Bob Odenkirkadded their names to a letter expressing their willingness to strike to the leaders.
Film and TV writers are on strike after failing to reach an agreement on their salaries