Tonight, a strike action will commence by the 150,000 members of SAG-AFTRA, the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, consisting of television and movie actors. This marks a significant moment in history as both actors and writers, who have been on strike since May, jointly picket film and television production companies for the first time since 1960.
Fran Drescher, the President of SAG-AFTRA, expressed her disapproval of the rejected offer from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, stating, “It’s disgusting, shame on them.” The writer’s strike has already had severe consequences for the entertainment industry, leading to the suspension of late-night talk shows and the alteration of awards shows to virtual or unscripted formats.
Now, with the inclusion of tens of thousands of actors, Hollywood finds itself in a state of uncertainty until an agreement can be reached with production companies. The support for the strike is evident as actors, including Sir Kenneth Branagh, join writers on the picket lines.
The impact on the film industry becomes evident with the cast of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming blockbuster, Oppenheimer, which includes Cillian Murphy, leaving the film’s London premiere prematurely to create their picket signs. This sets the tone for other impending releases, as cast members risk facing criticism from their colleagues if they engage in any publicity obligations.
Unfortunately, this strike comes at an inopportune time, as two major films, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Oppenheimer, are scheduled for release next week. These films were already generating significant buzz through marketing campaigns, talent interviews, and red-carpet premieres worldwide. With SAG-AFTRA’s strike, the momentum of these publicity efforts will come to a halt.
In response to the strike announcement, SAG sent a memo to all its members outlining the activities that must be withheld during the strike. According to the memo, all covered services and performing work under the TV/theatrical contracts, including acting, singing, dancing, stunts, and various other roles, must be put on hold.
Moving to the TV industry, networks are expected to shift their focus to unscripted reality series and game shows, which do not require actors. Late night shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live! have been off the air since May since they heavily rely on scripted monologues and comedic segments.
Recurring dramas like ABC’s Abbott Elementary and Grey’s Anatomy will be replaced by game shows like Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and Dancing With the Stars in the September schedule, as reported by The New York Times. However, the full effects of the strikes on the TV industry will likely take months or even years to be fully experienced due to the lengthy scale of TV production times.
There may also be a potential delay to the 2023 Emmys ceremony due to the strike. The union announced that any Emmy campaigning by actors will immediately cease, and the scheduled ceremony on September 18 may need to be rescheduled. Television Academy chair Frank Scherma expressed hope for swift and fair negotiations to bring an end to the ongoing guild disputes.
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