The strike that has been gripping the world of cinema for months continues, but this time, however, the actors are also taking the field
These are tough months for the world of cinema and TV series; just a few months ago we told you about the strike called by the writers, which led to the suspension of work on many successful products. Now, due to the failure of the negotiations between the American studios, l’Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and the workers’ unions, Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), many actors have decided to join the staff already on strike since the beginning of May.
The reasons for the strike | Hollywood: now even the actors join the screenwriters in the strike
Underlying this situation are conditions that are still too far from what the workers require. First of all a adequate salary and safeguards against the exploitation of their works in streaming e all’use of artificial intelligence, which is also becoming increasingly popular in the cinematic world. This technology could put human work at serious risk, given the possibility of generating a screenplay with just a few clicks, or faithfully recreating the faces and voices of the actors. It was precisely the workers’ unions, headed by Fran Drescher, (well known thanks to the sitcom La nanny) to break the news, announcing, through a press release, that the negotiations with AMPTP have not been successful. Part of the statement read:
SAG-AFTRA negotiated in good faith and was keen to reach an agreement that sufficiently addressed the needs of the actors, but the AMPTP’s responses to the union’s most important proposals were insulting and disrespectful of our enormous contribution to this sector. The companies have refused to engage in any meaningful way on some topics and have completely stymied us on others.
Faced with these accusations, the AMPTP has certainly not stood idly by, but has also decided to respond with a statement condemning the abandonment of the negotiations by the unions:
We are deeply disappointed by SAG-AFTRA’s decision to abandon the negotiations. It is a choice of the Union, not ours. In this way, rejected our offer of historic salary increases and residual rights, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, protections for tryouts, option periods for shorter series, an innovative proposal on artificial intelligence which protects the digital likenesses of actors and more. Instead of continuing to negotiate, SAG-AFTRA has set us on a path that will exacerbate the financial hardships of thousands of people who depend on the industry for their livelihoods.
The cinema stops
And now, what will happen? Certainly if some productions, such as House Of The Dragon have managed to go ahead thanks to the possibility of shooting the scenes without being able to write the scripts, it is quite different to carry on the work without the presence of the actors. Many of whom have already spoken out in favor of this strike, including the aforementioned Fran Drescherwe find Margot Robbie, Ben Stiller, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence e Glenn Close, just to name a few. In short, the situation seems really serious and there is the risk of a real blockage of the sector.
Are you looking for new movies and new TV series to watch? Discover the new Disney+ subscription, the streaming home of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, National Geographic and now Star too. Subscribe now to only 8.99 euros per month on this page.