SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland joined members of the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild for a strike outside Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California on July 14, 2023. This strike, which began at midnight on July 13, effectively halted the movie and television industry as tens of thousands of Hollywood actors stood in solidarity with writers in the first industry-wide walkout in 63 years. The strike was met with honking horns, intense heat, a presence of stars, and a strong discontent directed towards Disney CEO Bob Iger. Several hundred actors joined the picketing writers, who had been protesting outside major studios like Netflix, Warner, and Paramount for over two months. The strikers chanted slogans like “No contracts? No actors! No wages? No pages!” while organizers urged them to stay hydrated and off the roads. Actress Frances Fisher, known for her role in “Titanic,” expressed her support for the strike, stating that it symbolized more than just a labor strike in the entertainment industry, but a larger movement for workers across the country and the world. Notable actors like Allison Janney, Mandy Moore, and Ben Schwartz joined the picket lines, while Jason Sudeikis and Susan Sarandon showed up at protests in New York. The presence of these celebrities brought renewed attention to the strike, and many felt that it was a momentous occasion. SAG-AFTRA’s demands, which include pay raises to match inflation and a greater share of profits from successful shows and films, were dismissed by Disney CEO Bob Iger as “unrealistic,” causing further anger among the strikers. Shawn Richardz, an actress who participated in the strike, criticized Iger for spending millions on his house while many actors lack health insurance. The comments made by Iger were seen as disrespectful and indicative of a lack of respect for artists. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher received praise for her strong language during a press conference announcing the strike, with fellow actors cheering her on and chanting her words. The protest also saw participation from other Hollywood unions representing behind-the-scenes crew and transport workers, showing solidarity among different sectors of the industry. As both SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America negotiate their own contracts with studios next year, there is a strong intention to support each other in future actions.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
