Fran Drescher, SAG president at the July 13 press conference 2023, was passionate and defiant after hearing that actors were going to strike at midnight as a show of solidarity with their writer colleagues.
The Nanny actress, who is also the president of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television(SAG-AFTRA), has announced that negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have broken down due to several issues. A streaming-focused industry has had a significant impact on the rate of TV production. The traditional broadcast model had up to 26 episodes per season. Streaming has reduced that to eight or maybe 10 (or, in The Idol’s case, just five). The result is that actors work less per job, and have longer gaps between jobs. This makes it harder for them to earn a living. The performers argue that they should receive residuals from streaming platforms (like royalties), and higher compensation in the event the movie or show they’re in becomes a success with viewers.
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The use of artificial intelligence, much like the writers’ strike, was also a source of tension. Actors claim they do not want to be replaced with computer-generated images. They want control over how and where their likenesses will be used. The strike does not mean that actors cannot act, but they are prohibited from working for any companies who are members of AMPTP, which includes Amazon, Apple and Disney. Discovery. Neither can they promote the work of said companies. Later, we’ll talk more about this.
HOLLYWOOD WRITERS WITH THEIR SUPPORTERS, FROM THE SAG AFTRA ACTORS’ UNION WALKED THE PICKET LINE OUTSIDE THE WARNER BROS Studios IN BURBANK. CALIFORNIA. PHOTO BY ROBYN BECK / AFP
“We had no other choice.” Drescher stated that we are the victims. “We’re being victimized by an extremely greedy entity. I am horrified by how the people with whom we do business treat us. I can’t believe how different we are in so many ways. They claim to be in a financial crisis, but they give hundreds of millions to their CEOs. This is disgusting. “Shame on them!”
The AMPTP issued a statement in rebuttal: “This was the Union’s decision, not ours.” SAG-AFTRA, rather than continue to negotiate, has set us on a path that will increase the financial hardship of thousands of people who depend on this industry for their livelihood.
Since May 2, 2023 the writers’ strike has caused a major production halt in the United States. It is the biggest disruption to American film since the COVID-19 epidemic. The writers are protesting against pay cuts, disparity in pay, and the use AI tools such as ChatGPT to replace writers instead of being used for script research and ideas. This is the largest industry walkout for 40 years. The $134 billion American film and television business has been brought to a standstill. You should read the entire speech of Fran Drescher because it explains her and her colleagues’ position perfectly.
Fran Drescher’s SAG speech
Here is the full speech of Fran Drescher, given at a press event on 13 July 2023.
“It is important to cover this negotiation because the world, and especially the labor movement, are watching us.” The world is watching us, especially the eyes of the labor movement.
We have a serious problem. We are experiencing it, right? This is a pivotal moment for us. I was sincerely hoping that we could avoid a strike. I, our negotiating team or board members are not blind to the gravity of this decision. They have unanimously voted for a strike. This is a serious issue that affects thousands, if no millions, of people in this country and across the globe.
SAG-AFTRA PRESIDENT FRAN DRESCHER SPEAKS DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE LABOR UNION’S HEADQUARTERS IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. PHOTOBY CHRIS DELMAS / AFP (PHOTOBY CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via GETTY IMAGES
We came to this crossroads with great sadness, not only for the members of this union but also for those who work in other fields, in service and in this industry. We had no other choice. Here, we are the victims. A very greedy entity is victimizing us. I am horrified by how the people with whom we do business treat us. I can’t believe how different we are in so many ways. They claim to be in a financial crisis, but they give hundreds of millions of dollar to their CEOs. This is disgusting. Shame on you. At this moment, they are on the wrong side.
We stand together in unimaginable unity. We are supported by our union, sister unions and unions from around the globe. You can’t keep being marginalized, disrespected, and disgraced. AI and streaming digital have changed the entire business model. This is an important moment in history. We are all in danger if we don’t take a stand now. We will all be at risk of being replaced by machines and large corporations who are more concerned about Wall St. than your family and you.
The majority of Americans have less than $500. This was a big deal in an emergency and it made us feel heavy. At some point you will have to say “No, this is not acceptable, you are insane.” What are you doing? What are you doing?
In private, they say that we are the hub of the wheel. Everyone else plays with our art, but words are not enough. It was an insult. We made the difficult decision in unity, strength, and solidarity with the largest authorization vote for stripes in the history of our union. As we stand in front of you today, we want to tell you that this is a major issue, that it is a serious matter, and will affect every person who is involved in the labor movement. We’re fortunate to live in a labor-friendly country, but we faced opposition that was labor-unfriendly and tone-deaf.
It is not possible to keep changing the business model in the same way it has evolved and expect that the contract will remain the same. We won’t keep making incremental changes to a contract which no longer honors the current situation, and this business model we were forced into.
What are we doing now? What are we doing? It’s crazy. AMPTP, it’s time to get down. We are proud. Wait until you smell the coffee. We demand respect and are proud to be workers. You must share in the wealth to honor our contribution. Without us, you would not exist. “Thank you.”
SAG-AFTRA represents over 160,000 actors in film and television, and the WGA more than 16,000 writers for news, broadcast, and TV. The SAG-AFTRA is calling for the first strike in 43 years, and the WGA will be joining forces with SAG-AFTRA for the first time since 1960.
A dispute in 1960 between the WGA, the Alliance of Television Film Producers and other unions led to a 148-day strike. The result was improved rights for scriptwriters and pensions. They also received a five percent share of the net income of television movies that aired before 1960. During this period, the SAG took part in several strikes that halted eight major productions, including Elizabeth Taylor’s Butterfield 8 and Gina Lollobrigida’s Go Naked in the World. Jack Lemmon’s The Wackiest ship in the Army, and Marilyn Monroe’s let’s make love.
What is the average salary of actors?
Hollywood actors are a very select group of people. They may seem to have a lot of money and fame, but this is not the case. ZipRecruiter estimates that actors will earn an average of $68,989 per year in 2023. However, unless they are employed on a regular basis on a TV show, they tend to work project-by-project, meaning they may not be working at all for a few years.
What happened at Oppenheimer’s premiere?
RAMI MALEK ATTENDS THE UK PREMIERE OF “OPPENHEIMER”. PHOTO BY GARETH CATTERMOLE/GETTYIMAGES
The cast of Christopher Nolan’s wartime epic Oppenheimer about the Manhattan Project, and the development of atomic bombs, had left the UK premiere early that morning in anticipation of a strike. Nolan said on the red-carpet that “you’ve probably seen them earlier here on the carpet.” He added, “Unfortunately, they’re going to write their picket sign for what we think is an imminent strike by SAG.”
Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt were among the A-listers who appeared in Oppenheimer, along with Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr. Blunt acknowledged that a walkout was possible earlier on the red-carpet, saying to Deadline: “And, if [the strike] is called, we’ll all be leaving in unity as a whole cast,” Blunt added. We will then see what happens. “Right now, the joy of being together is all that matters.”
Barbie’s cast may also have made their final red carpet appearance on July 21. Margot Robbie, the star of Sky News’ “Good Morning Britain”, said she would join fellow union members on strike. She said: “I am a strong supporter of all unions, and I’m part of SAG. I will stand with them.”
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