A large-scale strike of film actors and screenwriters in Hollywood threatens the entire industry

The Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) went on strike on Friday, following screenwriters, after negotiations failed to reach a new contract with studios and streaming services.

Source. This was reported by the BBC.

The two main Hollywood unions are on strike at the same time for the first time since 1960, when Ronald Reagan was president of the Actors' Guild.

SAG-AFTRA, whose members include 160,000 film actors, journalists, announcers, presenters and stuntmen, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents employers such as Disney, Netflix and Amazon, failed to reach an agreement after the expiration of the previous three-year contract.

The striking actors' demands relate to products created for streaming platforms, as well as concerns about artificial intelligence.

Although the strike is aimed at protecting the wages of mid-level actors, big stars are also supporting them in solidarity by refusing to appear on set and participate in various promotional events.

This will obviously affect a huge number of projects, including major blockbusters and popular TV shows. And if the strikers and employers do not reach an agreement soon, audiences around the world will feel the effects of this labor dispute.

SAG-AFTRA represents about 160,000 actors and other industry workers. It went on strike after failing to reach a new contract with the AMPTP when the previous one expired on July 12.

Some of the actors' demands are the same as those of the screenwriters: on its website, SAG-AFTRA points to economic justice as one of the key goals of the strike.

"Outdated contract terms, combined with new features of the media business – such as orders for fewer episodes per season of a series and longer breaks between seasons – make it difficult for our members to achieve and maintain a middle-class lifestyle as actors," the union's website says.

In this regard, the organization is demanding that actors' salaries be raised in line with inflation and that they be guaranteed an interim income through so-called residuals, which are fees that performers receive after each repeat performance of a film or program.

Actors need these fees, especially when one shoot is over and a new project has not yet begun.

But streaming platforms such as Netlix and Disney+ do not disclose their viewing statistics and pay "residuals" at a flat rate, even if the movie has become a big hit.

SAG-AFTRA requires film producers to tie residuals to the success of a movie or show. According to the Los Angeles Times, they have not yet agreed to this condition.

"Unfortunately, the union has chosen a path that will lead to financial hardship for thousands and thousands of people involved in the film industry," the alliance said in a statement.

According to SAG-AFTRA rules, during a strike, actors cannot participate in film production, including filming, auditions, rehearsals, and voice-overs, as well as attend premieres and promote projects with their participation. These bans call into question the actors' appearance at the 75th ceremony of the prestigious Emmy Awards, which will take place in September.

Earlier, the writers' strike halted work on Saturday Night Live, as well as several series, including Stranger Things, Breaking Bad, and Family Guy. It is expected that the number of TV shows and movie projects that will be "on hold" will increase after the breakdown of negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP.