Sarah Silverman criticizes actors for accepting indie jobs amidst strike

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Sarah Silverman is calling out artists who are working under independent film waivers while the WGA and SAG are on strike. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI

Sarah Silverman is criticizing actors who are working on independent film projects while the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) are on strike. (File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI)

July 29 (UPI) — Actress and comedian Sarah Silverman has taken to Instagram to criticize artists who are working under independent film waivers during the ongoing strikes by the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild. The strikes have led to the shutdown of most film and TV productions in the United States.

“Set me straight and I’ll take this down. What am I not getting? #UnionStrong #WGA #sagaftra,” Silverman captioned a video that was shared on Friday. The video, which contains strong language, has already garnered over 41,000 “likes.”

In the video, Silverman expresses her anger towards actors who have accepted roles in non-studio backed projects, as she believes it undermines the purpose of the strike. She is uncertain whether she is more frustrated with the actors for taking these roles in low-budget films and TV shows that will eventually be released on the platforms being protested, or with the unions for granting the waivers.

“The strike will only end when the parties come to the table and reach a deal and agreement,” Silverman stated, warning that artists working under waivers during the strike could potentially prolong the overall work stoppage.

The WGA has been on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers since May, with SAG joining them two weeks ago.

Comedian and filmmaker Bobcat Goldthwait supported Silverman’s sentiments, stating, “I agree 100%! Plus, are new pages being written on these shoots?? Or is there rewriting being done on set?? I’ve never been on a movie with no rewrites! Thanks for saying this!”

“It’s truly undercutting the strike. The fact that the interim agreement reverts to whatever is agreed to at the end of the strike is a losing proposition. My pitch is don’t make them interim agreements, just make them agreements that reflect the current demands and don’t revert to the AMPTP strike settlement,” added writer and comedian Paul Scheer.

“Then stipulate that the producers can only sell the movie/show with those new deal points. At least then, it’s a real win. Additionally, there are trade articles indicating that producers are intentionally delaying signing the streamer portions of their deals to be classified as ‘indie’ and get the waiver, fully knowing they will sign when the time comes.”

However, others presented different perspectives. “I think we are striking against specific contractual agreements with the AMPTP, not all work,” stated Zooey Deschanel. Juliette Lewis also weighed in, saying, “Call me an idealist, but I hope for a big mid-range Indie movie Renaissance that goes into theaters without waiting to be ‘sold’ to streaming platforms. I hope this formula and model get broken and interrupted and threatened – the formula of going to streamers. That is my big hope and optimism with these productions.”

“Also, my brother, who is a laborer, I would love for him to work on an independent production,” she added. “Several of my friends in other states have exhausted their unemployment benefits, so if there are movie productions that are not going to streamers, I support them for the sake of my crew and family.”

Members of the Writers Guild of America East and SAG-AFTRA members picket outside of NBC Studios in New York City on July 19, 2023. (Photo by John Angelillo/UPI)

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