Issues particular to actors include the new and increasing burden of self-taped auditions the cost of which used to be the responsibility of casting and productions
Hollywood actors may be days from joining screenwriters in what would be the first two-union strike in the industry in more than six decades, with huge consequences for film and television production.
Here is a look at how it could play out, and why it’s happening.
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH ACTORS’ NEGOTIATIONS?
The contract between the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists and the studios, streaming services and production companies that employ them had been set to expire Friday night at midnight Pacific time.
But hours before that the two sides said they had agreed to extend the current contract, and talks on the next one, through July 12. Unionised actors have voted overwhelmingly to authorize their leaders to call a strike if no deal is reached. Talks also went past the deadline in 2014 and 2017, and agreements resulted both times.
Reports have said the talks have been productive. But some actors have expressed worry that their leaders may not be pushing hard enough.
More than 1,000 of them, including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Bob Odenkirk, have added their names to a letter to negotiators saying they are willing to strike, and are concerned they are ready to make sacrifices that leadership is not. The letter says « this is not a moment to meet in the middle.
The guild, led by president and former Nanny star Fran Drescher, represents over 160,000 screen actors, stunt performers, broadcast journalists, announcers, and hosts, but a strike would involve only actors working on television shows and films.
WHAT DO THE ACTORS WANT?
Many of the same issues that drove writers to strike are on the table for actors, including what the guilds say is shrinking compensation brought on by a streaming ecosystem in which royalty payments are no longer tethered to the popularity of a film or TV show.
A role or a writing credit on a show that became a hit with a long life in reruns is no longer the cash cow that it once was.
