The strain of Hollywood’s actors’ and writers’ strikes is being felt globally, and the impact is no different in Canada. With strong ties to American unions and networks, the Canadian film and television industry is experiencing a significant slowdown. Alistair Hepburn, executive director of ACTRA Toronto, revealed that productions began slowing down in the spring due to rumors of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. With the addition of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) joining picket lines, there will undoubtedly be a noticeable impact on new show production for the fall season.
Typically, summer is the most lucrative season for the film industry, but this year will be relatively slow due to the strikes. While many Canadian productions collaborate with American studios and SAG-AFTRA actors, nearly half of the work in provinces like Ontario is domestic. These shows, such as Murdoch Mysteries and Run the Burbs, continue using Canadian talent, writers, directors, and crews.
To mitigate the impact of the strikes, SAG-AFTRA is working on an agreement that allows independent Canadian producers, not affiliated with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), to engage SAG members through a waiver system. This system will also extend to actors who hold dual membership in SAG-AFTRA and ACTRA. The goal is to ensure that the strikes do not harm the Canadian industry.
While the duration of the strikes remains uncertain, it is evident that the entire industry will be affected for several months, including not just performers but also directors, technicians, caterers, and local businesses. In Ontario, approximately 35,000 full-time equivalent jobs are tied to the film industry, highlighting the significant trickle-down effect.
The founder of Ottawa-based studio 1Development Entertainment Services, Shane Boucher, shares the sentiment, stating that this is the first July in the industry where he has not had any work. As a service company, most of the TV movies they work on are American, leaving them directly impacted by the shutdown.
Several productions set to film in Canada this summer, such as the first season of Cruel Intentions, have gained attention, but unfortunately, filming has come to a halt due to the strikes. Stefan Steen, a producer on the show, expressed the devastation felt by the local film industry, noting that all U.S. productions have stopped, leaving local crews out of work with only one week’s additional pay.
Creative B.C., a program supporting the creative sector in British Columbia, is closely monitoring the situation and respecting the process and all parties involved. They acknowledge the rapid evolution of the industry and the necessary adjustments that need to be made to adapt to changing business models.
Hepburn urges the public to support the strikes by canceling their streaming accounts, as financial hardships on the AMPTP companies will ultimately force a resolution. He also hopes that other countries will stand in solidarity with performers fighting for their rights, emphasizing that SAG’s fight is everyone’s fight.
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