You may have noticed that in recent months, many of your favorite TV series and movie productions seem to have gone silent – but why? Actors and writers everywhere are on strike, putting media production on an indefinite hold.
SAG-AFTRA stands for the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. The group was formed to represent actors and those working in the media industry to protect their labor rights. Members receive benefits like health insurance, pension, retirement funds, and access to casting databases. Famous actors and actresses like Angela Bassett, Robert De Niro, and Cate Blanchett are all members of SAG-AFTRA.
Members of the association are on strike in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in their fight for better pay and better treatment. They’re striking against the AMPTP or the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The AMPTP represents production companies and helps them sign contracts with actors and writers.
Strikers are protesting low wages, lack of accommodations for actors of color in hair and makeup, bad treatment of background performers, and the idea of being replaced with AI. Participants are forbidden from crossing picket lines into production companies, promoting their work, or continuing to work without a waiver from SAG-AFTRA.
Movies like Deadpool 3, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part Two, and Wicked Part One are all productions impacted by the strike as the actors and writers take their place protesting on the picket line. Some of the movies impacted were nearly done filming, while some had barely started. Even promotional events were canceled, such as the Barbie Red Carpet press tour, which ended abruptly when the strike began this summer.
However, some productions that have no ties to the AMPTP have been issued waivers allowing them to continue production. House of the Dragon season two, The Assessment, Bride Hard, Death of a Unicorn, and Mother Mary are all productions that SAG-AFTRA has allowed to continue. Continuing to work despite the strike without a waiver is called “scabbing,” looked down upon by those participating in the strike.
As members of SAG-AFTRA and the WGA continue to strike, future productions continue to be pushed back. Not only will this impact the movie industry, especially if changes are made, but it will also impact people’s consumption of media until the strike is over. If there’s a movie or show you’ve been looking forward to watching, it may be a while before you see it on your screen.
