The Screen Actors Guild has announced it will go on strike.
The actors’ union has ordered a strike across TV, theatrical, and streaming productions which will be effective July 14, at 12:01 a.m (Los Angeles time) and will mark the biggest shutdown in Hollywood for more than 60 years as the Writers Guild Strike enters its 73rd day on strike, meaning that the majority of entertainment projects in the US will cease production.
The strike comes amid concerns over wages for actors and creators in the industry alike, AI technology, and how the profits of digital streaming on services such as Netflix and Disney+ can be divided.
It is thought that the sudden shutdown will mean the cancellation of press junkets and premieres for movies over the summer and the upcoming Emmy Awards – which are set to take place on September 19 – will likely be postponed.
The group representing the studios, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, or AMPTP, were quick to note that they are “deeply disappointed” in the decision and insisted that the decision was not in their hands.
Negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers came to an end on Wednesday (12.07.23) evening with no firm agreement in place and Drescher alleged that the AMPTP’s responses were “insulting” and insisted that they could not “reach a deal” at present.
The strike was announced during the London premiere of Christopher Nolan’s film ‘Oppenheimer’ and he took to the stage shortly after the red carpet appearances to reveal that several stars had walked out of the glitzy event to “write the picket signs” in preparation for the shutdown.
Meanwhile, other Hollywood stars have also spoken out in favor of strikes.
On Wednesday, Margot Robbie noted at the London premiere of her ‘Barbie’ movie that she was “absolutely” in support of the strikes.
