Writer and actors on STRIKE. Most main stream TV and Movies come to a stand still

[StreetHawk]

Meh... I can't find myself really caring for this. Productions and movie stars aren't what they used to be.

Film/TV actors no different than pro athletes. MLB players get paid but being a A or AA or AAA player pays very little. That came to light during Covid when they made under $20k for some of them.

I’d imagine ECHL like that too.

Most simply are not going to make it and have to decide if it’s worth it or just accept it and have another job as well.

Question is really what is a fair compensation with the changing landscape of film and tv? There will be Movies and shows that will fail for a studio and network but if you want the secured salary then you have to give up something for that security.

 

[Jumptheshark]

did not now GH was still on the air

General Hospital Now Using Temporary Writers to Stay on Air Amid WGA Strike

The ABC daytime soap 'General Hospital' has begun using 'temporary writers' to pen episodes even as the WGA strike continues — get the details.

tvline.com

 

[Behn Wilson]

My guess it that actors expected the public to be on their side against the Studios which they are trying to project as the Evil Empire. They dont realize how actors' preachiness has turned the most people against them and they are not garnering any sympathy.

The general public seems to completely not care about this strike and is pretty much ignoring it.

 

[Mario_is_BACK!!]

My guess it that actors expected the public to be on their side against the Studios which they are trying to project as the Evil Empire. They dont realize how actors' preachiness has turned the most people against them and they are not garnering any sympathy.

The general public seems to completely not care about this strike and is pretty much ignoring it.

I think part of that is that we have a steady stream of content coming as completely projects are being released. As things stop coming out or are postponed things will begin to look different.

 

[#37]

My guess it that actors expected the public to be on their side against the Studios which they are trying to project as the Evil Empire. They dont realize how actors' preachiness has turned the most people against them and they are not garnering any sympathy.

The general public seems to completely not care about this strike and is pretty much ignoring it.

That is part of it, I am sure, The 'content' generated in the last couple of years is horrible, perhaps the worst in my lifetime. For reference, pick a random year in the 80's and look at what was out. The output of 1983 is better than all from the 21st century combined... er, so far.

Best Films Of 1983 - IMDb

Best Films Of 1983

www.imdb.com

 

[#37]

Film/TV actors no different than pro athletes. MLB players get paid but being a A or AA or AAA player pays very little. That came to light during Covid when they made under $20k for some of them.

I’d imagine ECHL like that too.

Most simply are not going to make it and have to decide if it’s worth it or just accept it and have another job as well.

Question is really what is a fair compensation with the changing landscape of film and tv? There will be Movies and shows that will fail for a studio and network but if you want the secured salary then you have to give up something for that security.

If they want secured salary, maybe they should get a real job? They are all basically playing the lottery hoping to get discovered and breakthrough. The only people I feel for in this situation are the set designers, gaffers, catering staff, and the other non-fame seeking people who are actually working for a living.

 

[Mario_is_BACK!!]

Acting is a real job.

 

[#37]

Acting is a real job.

Waiting on tables is a real job, acting is a hobby.

 

[Mario_is_BACK!!]

Waiting on tables is a real job, acting is a hobby.

Nah. Acting is a very real, viable profession. Ask a good portion of people in Orlando, Branson, New Orleans. It’s not just a Hollywood or New York thing. Worldwide it’s huge, too. To say it’s not a real job is to have some sort of bizarre vendetta against actors.

 

[Behn Wilson]

I think part of that is that we have a steady stream of content coming as completely projects are being released. As things stop coming out or are postponed things will begin to look different.

I think there is enough online content for people for the rest of our lives. I do not think many people will miss them at all. Might want a specific product but for example Marvel Phase 4 kind of killed peoples enthusiasm for future products.

Its them against the studios IMO and the general public really is not taking any sides and is just moving on

 

[Behn Wilson]

Nah. Acting is a very real, viable profession. Ask a good portion of people in Orlando, Branson, New Orleans. It’s not just a Hollywood or New York thing. Worldwide it’s huge, too. To say it’s not a real job is to have some sort of bizarre vendetta against actors.

Its real work. Some of it is not the greatest quality but it is hard work, long days and years of training for most, etc. Though there is not enough of jobs to support the amount of people that want to work in the profession so a lot of people in industry are out of work more often than not.

 

[Hierso]

My guess it that actors expected the public to be on their side against the Studios which they are trying to project as the Evil Empire. They dont realize how actors' preachiness has turned the most people against them and they are not garnering any sympathy.

The general public seems to completely not care about this strike and is pretty much ignoring it.

I don't really care about that but i would be lying if i said that i didn't cringe the hardest i've ever cringed when they all got together and sang imagine.

 

[Mario_is_BACK!!]

I think there is enough online content for people for the rest of our lives. I do not think many people will miss them at all. Might want a specific product but for example Marvel Phase 4 kind of killed peoples enthusiasm for future products.

Its them against the studios IMO and the general public really is not taking any sides and is just moving on

While volume wise you’re right there that there’s enough content to last us our lives and beyond it really doesn’t work like that. Eventually things will be postponed or people will tire of just watching reality and want new fare.

 

[Mario_is_BACK!!]

Its real work. Some of it is not the greatest quality but it is hard work, long days and years of training for most, etc. Though there is not enough of jobs to support the amount of people that want to work in the profession so a lot of people in industry are out of work more often than not.

I don’t think you’re entirely wrong about not enough. I was talking to an industry friend who said the whole thing is pretty f***ed. Traditional TV is dying because of streaming. Streaming killed cable. Streaming outputs a lot but there’s likely a reason they don’t share numbers. There’s too much for not enough eyes and everything is almost collapsing.

That being said it makes the justification for CEOs to make hundreds of millions per year even tougher. Hollywood is changing and that’s part of what writers and actors are trying to account for.

Maybe this ends like the last baseball lock out/strike. A fair amount of minor leaguers lost jobs when the minors consolidated. But the majority remained and now even the lowest levels have higher pay that gives them a much better quality of life.

 

[BostonBob]

Man I need this freaking strike to end soon. But even if it ends tomorrow this is still going to be a lousy year for me as May, June and July are usually 3 of the busiest months here in Vancouver. At least I got in 2 residual cheques today - $43.88 for Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 and $79.11 for Season 2 of The Sentinel. And they are both in US funds so that should tide me over for the rest of the week.

 

[PeteWorrell]

I think there is enough online content for people for the rest of our lives. I do not think many people will miss them at all. Might want a specific product but for example Marvel Phase 4 kind of killed peoples enthusiasm for future products.

Its them against the studios IMO and the general public really is not taking any sides and is just moving on

A lot of people might just look for more foreign productions to fill the void. Realize that there is more than Hollywood out there. It's easier and more accessible than ever with the internet.

 

[flyersnorth]

It's a tricky situation.

I remember the 2004-2005 NHL lockout that led to a lost season. I was bummed when it looked like there would not be a season, really bummed when the "season" started but there were no games.

And then something happened. I found other things to occupy my time with. After a few months, hockey could have disappeared forever and I wouldn't have cared.

I completely understand the purpose of strikes and unions. They are fighting for very real issues to them.

On the flip side, it's also very possible that in your absence, people realize they don't really *need* what you're providing, and will find other ways to entertain themselves.

 

[johnjm22]

The output of 1983 is better than all from the 21st century combined... er, so far.

Best Films Of 1983 - IMDb

Best Films Of 1983

www.imdb.com

No it's not. Note even close.

 

[BostonBob]

Another " I really don't have any good news for you " update from our esteemed President:


Dear Members:

The last few weeks have been particularly stressful for you, our colleagues across the industry and our Union.

While we can find solace in having as much stability as possible for an additional year, our futures are far from stable. The issues of importance including AI, auditions and fair compensation will be among our list of priorities during negotiations.

Now that our current agreement has been extended to March 2025, it ensures that our members can get back to work once the US guilds have resolved their negotiations. We are proud to work alongside SAG-AFTRA and WGA members in creating quality entertainment that is viewed worldwide. More than any other region of performers in Canada, we feel the weight of these strikes.

The next few months will be challenging for television and film performers everywhere. Production levels will remain extremely low until the US labour issues are resolved. As such, the Union is also feeling the financial impact. At this time, we are actively implementing cost-saving measures for our operations, and this will lead to a reduction in some of our programs and services.


In solidarity,

Ellie Harvey
President, UBCP/ACTRA

 

[Jumptheshark]

Studios Quietly Go on Hiring Spree for AI Specialist Jobs Amid Picket Line Anxiety

Netflix is hiring a $ 900,000-per-year AI product manager, Disney is looking for generative AI specialists, and Sony seeks an AI ethics expert, while the tech becomes a staple of SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild picket signs.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[Primary Assist]

Just wait until we have this thread in 2029 when all the AI writers and directors are on strike and the AI executives refuse to budge

 

[johnjm22]

The Strike’s Side Effect: A Cash Hoard for Studios

The ongoing actors and writers strikes are creating a paradox for major studios and streamers, one that will become more apparent over the coming months, when each company reports quarterly earnings. As the impasse wreaks havoc on the entertainment economy, the companies that SAG-AFTRA and the...

www.yahoo.com

Netflix, Citing Reduced Spending Amid Strike, Ups Free Cash Flow Estimate by $1.5B

"This strike is not an outcome that we wanted," co-CEO Ted Sarandos said on an earnings call.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

With the strike ongoing, studios don't have to spend on content, which saves them money. For a lot of them, the situation is actually financially beneficial. They don't feel any pain unless people stop subscribing to their services and watching their shows.

There's a huge back log of content that's been made over the past decade for consumers to go through. I don't think many will be cancelling for the foreseeable future.

Don't expect the AMPTP to give in to union demands anytime soon.

Labor disputes are often about who can hold out longer. Under current conditions, the AMPTP has the uppder hand.

 

[PeteWorrell]

The stars that make/have made a lot of money, can hold on a while but they are the minority. Most strikers live from paycheck to paycheck to get food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. It will be interesting to see if they start to panic and put pressure on the higher ups.

 

[RandV]

The stars that make/have made a lot of money, can hold on a while but they are the minority. Most strikers live from paycheck to paycheck to get food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. It will be interesting to see if they start to panic and put pressure on the higher ups.

That depends largely on what you're doing in the industry. With so many people wanting to work and only so many roles available a lot are going to have a stable income job of some sort to go along with the acting gig. It's more the crew members that have the industry as full time work, along with some people who do background full time. And preserving some of those positions is what's at stake here with the AI question.

Like consider the background worker. It's not just the person working background, productions will also have people working full time positions on set managing the background - wranglers, makeup, wardrobe, etc. Replace background with AI and those people are out of work too.

 

[kook10]

That depends largely on what you're doing in the industry. With so many people wanting to work and only so many roles available a lot are going to have a stable income job of some sort to go along with the acting gig. It's more the crew members that have the industry as full time work, along with some people who do background full time. And preserving some of those positions is what's at stake here with the AI question.

Like consider the background worker. It's not just the person working background, productions will also have people working full time positions on set managing the background - wranglers, makeup, wardrobe, etc. Replace background with AI and those people are out of work too.

It is very common for underemployed actors to have a primary gig waiting tables, catering, driving uber, etc. It is far less common for IATSE folks to have additional income. They need to stay employed in production, but they've been dragged into the strike and told to to have "solidarity" while unemployment and their bank of health insurance hours run out.