In a historic move not seen since the 60s, Hollywood actors have joined the writers on strike, causing most of the film industry to grind to a halt.
SAG-AFTRA union leader and star of the 90s sitcom ‘The Nanny’ Fran Drescher announced the strike in a fiery speech criticising Hollywood studios.
“We demand respect and to be honoured for our contribution”, said Drescher, “If we don’t stand tall right now, we are all going to be in jeopardy of being replaced by machines”.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher: “How they plead poverty that they are losing money left and right when they give $100 millions to their CEOs.”
“If we don’t stand tall right now, we are all going to be in jeopardy of being replaced by machines” pic.twitter.com/zIIsNQjZHa
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 13, 2023
Joining the 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America who have been on strike since May, the two unions are demanding an increase to base pay and royalties arguing that they have not been compensated fairly for the amount of times their work is streamed.
The rise of AI was another main concern with actors worried about how their voice and likeness could be used without payment or their consent.
While some production work will continue, filming will cease and stars will stop promoting their TV shows and movies, with numerous Hollywood stars jumping onto social media in a show of support.
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There is no clear sign yet of how long the industrial action could last.
Go behind the scenes of the current Hollywood strike with Deadline Strike Talk on iHeart:
