Audiences are eager to understand how their entertainment choices impact the ongoing strike by actors and writers. With the release of highly anticipated movies like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” fans on social media are questioning whether buying cinema tickets or streaming television shows contributes to the challenges surrounding a new union contract. The Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) recently joined the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in a joint strike, the first of its kind since 1960.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), representing the studios, expressed disappointment in the strike, stating that it will cause financial hardship for numerous industry workers. In response to these claims, actors, writers, production teams, and allied union organizations have taken to the streets, demanding higher minimum pay, improved safety measures, and fairer streaming residuals. They have been utilizing social media to spread information about the strike and urge audiences to support their cause by sharing, liking, and engaging with posts related to the expired SAG-AFTRA contract.
Contrary to misconceptions, the majority of SAG-AFTRA members are working actors striving to make a living, pay bills, and rent. Strikers are encouraging fans to actively participate by joining picket lines in local areas, voicing their support, and providing picketers with signs, water, and snacks. Various union organizations, including the Directors Guild of America, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, have stood in solidarity with the strike efforts, both offline and online.
To assist the strike, supporters are encouraged to amplify the union’s demands through social media posts and contribute to fundraisers for SAG-AFTRA members. While boycotting projects made by the AMPTP is not a current priority, it may be considered in the future. However, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA have not called for a boycott of streamers, although individuals can choose to donate to the entertainment fund or offer support to the picket lines with water and food.
Entertainment workers can receive financial support during the strike through various organizations. SAG-AFTRA’s Entertainment Community Fund and independent crowdsourced fundraisers, such as the Union Solidarity Coalition Fund, Groceries for Writers, and the Snacklist, offer resources like mental health support, health insurance, counseling, career assistance, budgeting tips, and grocery aid.
In response to the strike announcements, the AMPTP expressed disappointment and regretted the unions’ decision to walk away from negotiations. They emphasized the importance of performers to the industry but argued that the strike would bring financial hardship to many. Despite offering increased benefits for SAG members in their latest contract, prominent actors like Matt Damon, Quinta Brunson, Meryl Streep, Lena Waithe, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus support the strike as a crucial step towards fairness for the lowest-paid workers. The AMPTP highlighted their proposals for pay and residual increases, improved retirement plans and health care benefits, audition protections, and an AI proposal to protect actors’ digital likenesses. However, SAG-AFTRA and WGA members worry that the AI provisions may result in job losses, as the proposal lacks additional consent or compensation for the usage of AI replicas.
Scott Rowe, a spokesperson for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, reiterated the goal of achieving mutually beneficial agreements to resume industry work and continue delivering entertainment to fans worldwide.
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