SAG-AFTRA strike continues as A-listers and Netflix get involved
As the SAG-AFTRA The strike continues, and working-class actors still stand on the strike line, A-listers controlling their movements almost too carefully and calling for it Controversial talks with the AMPTP are to be resumed as we head into the winter months.
Among the entire studio system, today the entertainment company Netflix dealt with the SAG-AFTRA strike Third quarter earnings report. The streamer’s Letter to shareholders read in part: “The last six months have been challenging for our industry given the combined writer and actor strikes in the United States. “While we have reached an agreement with the WGA, negotiations with SAG-AFTRA are still ongoing” – although no return to the table has been announced. The letter continued: “We are committed to resolving the remaining issues as quickly as possible so that everyone can get back to work and produce films and television shows that audiences will love.”
As the strike nears reaching the 100-day mark on October 21, actors are still showing up to picket. While the SAG-AFTRA united front continues day after day, some celebrities have made the cause visible through media campaigns and appearances – well, in seemingly limited ways. At the recent New York Comic Con, the stars in attendance conscientiously avoided promoting failed projects, but also didn’t use their platforms to draw more attention to the issue. Ewan McGregor taught an audience how to make proper tea, while others such as Rhys Darby jokingly expressed their boredom while trying to entertain fans.
io9 reported that Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, executive director and chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA, spoke candidly on a panel discussion at the convention about AI in the entertainment industry. “The law has not in any way kept up with this technology…The best place to immediately protect artists is through collective bargaining, because right now these companies, like the video game studios, aren’t really allowed to use your voice, your likeness, etc.” ., without union consent due to federal labor laws,” he said. “So it gives us a position and a platform to attack violations immediately.”
On Tuesday afternoon, actors including Scarlett Johansson, Ben Affleck, George Clooney, Tyler Perry and Emma Stone held a Zoom meeting with SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and Crabtree-Ireland. diversity described the conversation as “supportive” as the actors laid out their case, the nature of which is still unclear. SAG-AFTRA said in a statement: “We meet with members of all profiles every day and will not comment on these private conversations.” Leadership will provide a response to the conversation after a meeting with the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee on Wednesday afternoon.
Keep up with the SAG-AFTRA strike here on io9.
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