If actors were to go on strike, it would essentially bring almost everything to a halt, just like the writers' strike which has already greatly reduced the production of movies and shows.
There is a chance of a major increase in Hollywood's summer of dissatisfaction this weekend, as actors are ready to unite with writers in a large-scale "double strike," potentially leading to the halt of nearly all film and television productions in the US.
As the minutes pass by, approaching midnight on Friday (0700 GMT Saturday), the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) is currently immersed in high-stakes discussions with prominent entities in the industry, such as Netflix and Disney.
With an impending deadline, this labor union, which represents an astounding 160,000 actors and celebrities has already obtained the necessary approval for potential industrial action if an agreement is not reached in time.
In the event that negotiators decide to leave, it would mark a significant moment in Hollywood history. Not since 1960, when renowned actor Ronald Reagan, who would later become the President of the United States, spearheaded a movement that compelled major concessions from the studios, have all actors and writers in Hollywood gone on strike simultaneously.
Following in the footsteps of the writers, who have already dedicated nine weeks to picketing, actors are now voicing their demands. They are seeking increased compensation to combat the effects of inflation and assurances for their long-term careers.
According to Rebecca Metz, known for her roles in FX's "Better Things" and Showtime's "Shameless," she expressed to AFP that it is “massively harder” and more challenging for actors, including those who are already established, to make a living in Hollywood nowadays, she added.
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“People who aren’t in this industry, and even some who are, vastly overestimate how much money actors make — you just assume that if you see someone on TV, they must be rich,” Metz said.
“But it has been extremely not the case in the last few years.
“I know lots of people at my same level who are taking second jobs, trying to come up with ways to keep themselves afloat until hopefully things come back.”
Actors receive a regular income known as "residuals" whenever a film or show they have appeared in is broadcasted on network or cable television. This additional payment proves beneficial for actors during periods when they are not actively engaged in projects.
However, the landscape has changed with the emergence of streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney+. These platforms do not provide information about the number of viewers for their shows and offer a fixed rate for all content, irrespective of its popularity. This uniform payment structure fails to account for the varying levels of success and viewership that different shows may achieve.
“I have watched my residuals decline over the last 10 to 15 years” to a “tiny fraction” of what they once were, said Metz.
“When we’re not working for a good stretch, all of a sudden we’re worried about qualifying for our health insurance.”
The possibility of a strike happening is uncertain at the moment. Both parties have decided to keep the negotiations under wraps, imposing a media blackout.
On Friday, Fran Drescher, the president of SAG-AFTRA, shared a video message with members, expressing that the negotiations have been highly productive and assuring them of a significant agreement.
However, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the chief negotiator for the union, cautioned that there is only a limited amount of time to reach a deal. This has led to speculation that both sides might opt for a temporary extension of the talks.
Adding to the confusion is the matter of artificial intelligence, as actors are seeking assurances to govern its future utilization.
“There’s currently no protections around a producer taking our voice, our likeness, asking us do things that we wouldn’t consent to do,” said Metz.
“Inputting our previous performances and building a performance off of it that we don’t have to get paid for — these things sound wild and fantastical, but they’re very real.”
SAG-AFTRA is making efforts to regulate the increasing prevalence of "self-taped auditions," which has become a source of frustration for actors.
Originally used when in-person auditions were not feasible, this practice has now become widespread in Hollywood.
However, it poses challenges for actors in terms of logistics and technology, and deprives them of valuable feedback from casting directors.
Moreover, actors are left in the dark as they have no way of knowing if their audition has been viewed.
“Acting is a collaborative craft, at the end of the day,” said Metz.
“Talking into a camera in your house, and knowing you’re never going to get any response, is several steps further removed from what acting really is.”
Credit: Channelstv.com
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