Sadly, an actors’ strike may happen. After the 100+ day Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike that took place between late 2007 and early 2008, which destroyed that season of TV, and sent many shows to early cancellations, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) may end up walking the picket lines themselves.
SAG and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) haven’t had a contract since July 1, 2008, and it’s been a little nerve-wracking. New negotiations broke down recently, even with a federal mediator, and SAG looks like it wants to move for a strike vote. Members will have to approve it or not, so we’ll keep our eyes on that.
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Many members have expressed doubt regarding a strike actually happening, but SAG promises to educate members about going on strike (it needs more than 75% of members voting for it to pass). Man, this is crazy! They really want to strike! What kind of message will that send?
For the record, I’ve worked with SAG actors on many independent films over the years, and I’ve never had any issues with SAG. It’s always been a pleasure working with them and their members. I just hope, hope, HOPE they don’t authorize a strike. The economic fallout will be devastating, especially after the WGA strike lost the industry about a billion dollars (and that’s not just studios and producers).
Unlike with the WGA strike, where some shows and movies could keep shooting with existing scripts, a SAG strike will cripple the industry, and shut down virtually all productions with Guild members. And I’m sure everyone has noticed that we’re in an economic funk at the moment.
Now, I’m not giving a pass to the AMPTP; they need to realize they can’t be bullies and expect SAG to fall in line with a contract. Didn’t they learn anything from the WGA strike? Even though they were more financially secure when that strike happened, they’ve lost a ton of money with the stock market plunge since October and November 2008, and they’re hurting quite a bit.
What does that mean for some highly anticipated movies that will be starting production soon? Well, here’s the scoop: If an actors’ strike happens soon, and lasts for at least 100 days, the production of movies like Iron Man 2 may get delayed. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Other high profile films and television series will be affected. Let’s just hope 24, absent from the 2008 season, has all its episodes in the can (completely shot).
Let’s hope (fingers crossed) that SAG and the AMPTP can set aside their arguments and come to a deal everyone can be happy with. Not only will actors be out of work, but so will crew members, caterers, stunt people, and more. I’ll update when new information comes across.
Source: My Way News
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20 Comments
NO STRIKE! SIGN TO SAY NO!
http://www.petitiononline.com/DealNow/petition.html
Let’s hope that the studios/producers and actors get a deal together.
heath
With the current economic climate and people concerned about their own jobs, I don’t think actors will get ANY sympathy from the public if they go on strike – especially if it delays movies people are looking forward to seeing. In tough times movies always do well because people are looking for escapism.
Vic
who the hell do these people think they are?after the writers all but destroyed our industry now comes these primadonnas..if they don’t like the money they make let them try working a real job..every other union has signed the same deal they are being offered..maybe they like reality T.V. who doesn’t need actors or have friends in A.F.T.R.A.who are I’m sure chomping at the bit to get all the work thats about to come their way..these actors have been conned by their president the best actor of all if he can convince these people to go on strike and ruin their careers not to mention whats left of the economy in this state
Oy, yet another dip into the coffers ‘o plenty that just simply do not exist.
All I can say is that the industry people we talk to still wonder if the relationships between the staffs and writers can ever be repaired from the last brouhaha.
Let’s hope for NO STRIKE, and solid, untouched television goodness during the holidays and into the next year.
I know they lost 100’s of millions of dollars from the writers strike last year. Do they want to lose even more, not to mention they will get no support from the public, guaranteed. They’re adults they can come to an agreement before there is disaster!
The top earning actors represent, I believe, less than 1% of SAG members. However, no one wants a strike, and I have a feeling things will work out. Remember, the studios are in a bad position as the stock market tanks.
Heath
I can’t imagine there actually being a strike. I agree Vic, there is NO way the public will be sympathetic to an industry in which most people see actors as overpaid and spoiled. I hope that they resolve this issue soon, although you would think that after the writer’s strike they would have moved to get this accomplished before the old agreement expired. Nothing but pure greed on both sides.
Ultimately, it’s been seen that shows that went on hiatus after the WGA strike, but were able to come back before the end of the 07/08 season, didn’t get hurt too much in the ratings.
Those that didn’t, like Heroes, are struggling. Some shows that have been on the air for at least a full season (or so) are being cancelled, like Pushing Daises:
http://screenrant.com/abc-trims-daisies-likes-life-mars-brusimm-4351/
Heath
there goes all the good movies commin out next year…
I hope we FINALLY get to see 24 season seven.
@Gary
I would think so – at this point the whole thing should be in the can.
Vic
Its unfortunate that they are teetering on the verge of a strike. But I dont really see this being the best time to do so, especially, as mentioned above, if they want the public sympathy. I don’t see why they just can’t suck it up and move on. But I am no expert on how unions and such work, nor do i know the entire premis on what everyone wants.
>sigh< here we go again. They’re MOVIE STARS!!! RICH!!!! EVERYWHERE!!! What in the hell else do they WANT????
@KEL
Actually you’re looking at that top 1% that bring in the monster bucks. I’d say the VAST majority don’t make that much and don’t work steadily.
Of course the motivation for actors is that they’ll reach that 1%, but 1% is 1% no matter how you slice it.
It’s like when you have 80% of drivers thinking that they’re “above average.”
Vic
Im going back ‘ALOT’ of years now, but we had a strike here in the UK that resulted in a whole Television network being shut down for 13 weeks,(and at the time we only had 3 channals to watch to begin with)I can tell you in the coming 9 months after the strike, there was a massive baby boom.
Strikes always hurt, and I hope the studios/producers and SAG can come to an agreement to put this to bed once and for all.
heath
The AMPTP is feeling their oats after their success against the WGA, and rightfully so. As long as they have reality shows and game shows, they are very well-positioned against those who work on scripted shows. In the end, it all comes down to simple numbers: Scripted shows are, at best, performing only as well as reality/game shows. At worst, they’re not performing as well. Think of the big shows of today that EVERYONE talks about when they are on: Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, Survivor, The Hills, So You Think You Can Dance, Amazing Race, etc. Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy, and CSI might make it in there, only occasionally. As long as scripted shows have consistently lack-luster numbers in terms of viewership, those who work on those shows are in are not in a very good position to bargain. The answer for Hollywood is simple: CREATE BETTER SHOWS THAT PEOPLE ACTUALLY WANT TO WATCH, AND YOU WILL BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO GET WHAT YOU WANT!!! It’s not rocket-science.
Screw the actors! Animators are the real ones that always get screwed from SAG. Sag demands that animation studios use SAG voice talents, but refuse to allow animators to join their guild. Animators do all the acting in the films and get no royalties or any crazy amount of money. Screw SAG and the ACTORS. Or should I say screw the 1% of SAG that actually makes any money. WE don’t need more actors. Bring on more animation! I have seen enough “cool” sub-standard acting and 3d efx’s for my lifetime.
Animated films have grossed waay more money and employed many more people during the past decades. Let them strike and let them rot
@Vic
Hmmm. So then their strike isn’t completely unreasonable I suppose. Guess I’m just tired of all this striking.
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