Comments on: Is SAG Still Planning A Strike?

By: AMcniff

AMcniff — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:48:35 +0000

SAG really and truly needs to get over themselves. I say this as a person who has worked in the industry since my Junior year in high school. People barely made it through the writers strike, it took a tole on me and many of my friends who have been in the industry longer than I. Yes, it sucks that they don’t get royalties but neither do any other crew on the set, and we work just as hard if not harder than actors, we’re there at least an hour before cast and not done until break down. I completely agree with bperlow if you want producer perks become a producer.

By: Craig Greenberg

Craig Greenberg — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:34:32 +0000

SAG has everything to win and the studios have everything to lose.

Most SAG actors want to strike because they aren’t fooled by the studio strategy.

Movie Studios = Lehman Bros.

The studios are GREEDY, GREEDY, GREEDY

By: NYMARTY

NYMARTY — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:32:31 +0000

Some very smart people suggest that SAG and the Producers take the remaining issues to binding non-appealable arbitration. This way we will not suffer another multi-billion dollar loss to our workers and vendors and the public will get to see the movies and television they need in these dreary days of financial ruination.
Many billion dollar conflicts are solved by arbitration. Why not this one?

By: fifty8th

fifty8th — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:06:05 +0000

I think if it happens it will last longer than a week, the studios are playing hardball because it is not just movie studios it is TV and they are not doing as well.

By: Mark I.

Mark I. — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:21:15 +0000

You know, it will probably happen.

If SAG strikes, it will only last a week.

The studios know they are making a ton of money in this depression. The box office is still healthy. SAG knows this.

SAG is in the perfect catbird seat.

The movie studios will end up signing the SAG agreement.

By: the old man

the old man — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 09:45:57 +0000

bperlow:” No one wants to greenlight a project if theres a strike in the middle of it”

Exactly, and what does that say about the intentions of the companies? While the workers are willing to work the companies take advantage of it and finish off the remaining work all the while intending to starve and stifle any resistance to acquiescence. See you can look at from both ways. SAG isn’t the lone guilty party. If anything there’s bad faith on both sides. It’s just the reality of this kind of work. For those who didn’t realize this, you should rethink your careers. You did take career management right?

By: bperlow

bperlow — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:19:21 +0000

Ken, your preaching to the choir…

By: Ken J

Ken J — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 23:52:13 +0000

I hate unions. Don’t get me started…

By: bperlow

bperlow — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 23:07:39 +0000

Fifty8th- Your totally on the ball here. These Unions have really Hard Core leaderships running them. Even alot of the writers didnt want to strike. SAGs current leadership is really aggressive and strike ready.. Its unfortunate. I hope their constituents oppose their leadership and make a sound decision.

By: fifty8th

fifty8th — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 22:55:04 +0000

I guess I feel the actors look bad because they won’t take what the writer’s, director’s and another acting guild’s will. That and they tried to undermined the other actor’s guild when they wanted to do their own deal. You know it’s not even most of the actors, it is the SAG leadership.

By: FlameStrike

FlameStrike — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 22:37:52 +0000

Agreed, and good point. The actors have kept working even without a contract, and the AMPTP are still unwilling to budge. If the actors look bad for simply considering a strike, just for not taking it off the table, how can the producers look any better?

By: bperlow

bperlow — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 22:37:49 +0000

There no “stoppage”, but theres no new work. Its pretty slow in this town. Everything else has filmed or is finishing right now. No one wants to greenlight a project if theres a strike in the middle of it. Nothing new was shot during the writers strike. Again I guarantee you most WORKING actors dont want to strike and they would take the deal. There are working actors that could lose their houses and not pay their bills if a strike happens. The non-working ones wait tables at night, and strike during the day because they have nothing better to do.

By: the old man

the old man — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 22:31:41 +0000

It’s interesting to note who lays all the blame on the actors. I thought when you came to the bargaining table there were Two parties involved! It’s not like their has been a work stoppage for the last few months even after talks broke down.

By: FlameStrike

FlameStrike — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:29:39 +0000

I sympathize with those who will be hurt by the strike, and I’ve already agreed the timing is bad.

That does not make a bad deal for SAG any better, though. It only makes it harder for them to get the deal they deserve later on down the line. The AMPTP will get the win they want, it will make it harder for SAG to get a good deal the next time contract negotiations come about, and possibly only result in a delay of the strike, which could make that eventual strike even worse than this one.

Better to do what it takes to get a good deal now than risk setting up an even worse confrontation later. At least in my opinion.

By: fifty8th

fifty8th — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:25:30 +0000

One of the problems of a lot of the members being part time actors they may vote for a strike because it does not effect them day to day. At one point those against the strike were trying to get some condition in there that would only have working actors be able to vote or something like that.

By: Heath McKnight

Heath McKnight — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:19:34 +0000

They aren’t full-time actors because many of them are members who have full-time jobs doing other things, like a good friend of mine. They act every now and then. Others are trying to break in.

A strike will cripple the industry. Look at all the other people who depend on the industry, like crews, caterers, etc.

heath

By: bperlow

bperlow — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:14:05 +0000

Heres my feeling. Yeah they want a better deal. I can see that. But heres the other bigger issue. Timing is everything. Right now if they go on strike, much more support people, camera people, crew and other businesses that make money off these people will be crippled by the pissing contest between SAG and the producers. The producers are willing to give them the WGA deal, and they should take it. This town was in bad shape because of that strike, and it will get worse. Most people in WGA and SAG are waiters, bartenders or other normal everday jobs. They should be happy to break in this business. Everyone has to make concessions now. We all are getting less money. Unfortunately when your livelyhood is dependent on studios and production, it who has the money makes the rules. Until someone works their way into money and power, you get what you can take and be thankful your working, working in this town and not have to work a “Real” job. The union should at least sign a short-term contract so this town can recover and put people to work. Nothing has been greenlit for months, and the work is stagnant. The actors shouldnt ge so selfish and feel only about THEIR livelyhoods. THey should take it for the team and STFU for a year. When the business recovers a bit, they can start a new contract.

By: FlameStrike

FlameStrike — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:50:59 +0000

“I believe the vast majority of SAG members aren’t full-time actors.”

And this is the reason I would support the strike. There are members who don’t get the big bucks who would not be getting a fair deal under an agreement modeled the WGA agreement. They deserve better.

The timing may be horrible, but caving in now will likely only hurt them further down the line.

By: Heath McKnight

Heath McKnight — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:33:49 +0000

I have worked with SAG in the past, and I’ve never had problems with them. I believe the vast majority of SAG members aren’t full-time actors. Commercial SAG members can vote, too.

heath

By: kimberly reuter

kimberly reuter — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:36:41 +0000

IF THEY GO ON STRIKE I AM DONE WITH MOVIES AND TV. THEY MAKE SO MUCH MONEY AND TO STRIKE WHEN PEOPLE ARE LOSING EVERYTHING WHEN THEY MAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THEN THE HELL WITH THEM. GO ON STRIKE SEE HOW FAST ALL OF YOUR CAREERS FALL OUT