The Hollywood Actors Strike has been making headlines all over the world in recent days. This strike is the first time two major Hollywood unions have been on strike at the same time in over six decades. The strike is expected to have a significant impact on movie and TV productions worldwide, potentially stretching through the summer and even persisting through the end of the year.
If you're a movie or TV enthusiast, you're probably wondering how the strike will affect your favorite shows and movies, exploring what it means for the entertainment industry and how KinoBro can help you stay informed during this tumultuous time.
What is the Hollywood Actors Strike?
The Hollywood Actors Strike was called on Thursday, July 14th, by the SAG-AFTRA union after negotiations with the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) broke down. The strike is the first time two major Hollywood unions have been on strike at the same time since 1960, when Ronald Reagan was the actors' guild president.
The SAG-AFTRA union represents approximately 160,000 actors in film and TV shows, as well as video game performers, radio presenters, models, and YouTube influencers. The strike will effectively shut down the studios' remaining U.S.-based productions of film and scripted television, hampering many overseas shoots involving SAG-AFTRA talent.
The strike comes after a two-week extension of the union's contract expired. The actors' union had already voted 98% in favor of authorizing a strike. The strike will add to the economic damage from the writers' strike, which has been ongoing since May.
What are the Major Issues in the Strike?
The major issues in the Hollywood Actors Strike include increased pay and progress on residuals, particularly on streaming services. Actors are also concerned about the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it will be used in the industry.
The rise of the streaming era has made it harder for actors to earn their livelihoods, especially for the many thousands of SAG-AFTRA members who are not household names. There are concerns that their digital images will be used without their permission or proper compensation.
The studios and streaming services have implemented massive unilateral changes in the industry's business model while insisting on keeping contracts frozen in amber. Actors feel that the studios' responses to their concerns are "insulting and disrespectful." Until they negotiate in good faith, actors cannot begin to reach a deal.
How Will the Strike Affect the Entertainment Industry?
The Hollywood Actors Strike is expected to bring most of the remaining productions to a halt, with the exception of some independent films not associated with major studios. The strike will also hamper many overseas shoots involving SAG-AFTRA talent.
The shutdowns resulting from the writers' strike had already halted production of most movies and scripted television programs. There has been no apparent progress in ending the writers' strike. With actors joining the writers on strike, the shutdowns could stretch through the summer and persist through the end of the year.
Broadcast networks have already announced fall schedules heavy with reality shows, which are not affected by the strikes. However, the strikes will cause significant economic damage, hitting caterers, prop suppliers, and others who rely on Hollywood productions for business.
Many streaming services have yet to turn a profit after companies spent billions of dollars on programming to try and attract customers. The strikes come at a time when major media and tech companies that have jumped into the world of streaming services are focused on cost-cutting and profitability, rather than subscriber growth.
How Can KinoBro Help You Stay Updated?
During the Hollywood Actors Strike, KinoBro will be monitoring all the latest news related to the strike, including updates on negotiations, studio responses, and the impact on specific productions. KinoBro will provide users with real-time updates on any developments related to the strike, ensuring that you're always up-to-date on the latest news.