It has been a LONG 118 days, but it’s a pleasure to finally pen this article and say with certainty that Hollywood’s SAG-AFTRA strike has reached an end, as of 12.01am on November 9th 2023.
A tremendous boost to film fans the world over, this means that the wheels can start moving once more on some eagerly anticipated projects. Most importantly, those genre pieces that were brought to a stand-still!
But checking our excitement for just a moment, it is important to focus on what this momentous deal means for the union members of Hollywood.
First and foremost, it means better residuals for actors, something that has been a sore point for decades now. This also includes a stake for the talent in anything involving a streaming platform, which was previously largely ignored. Now a portion of the revenue from any streaming content will land with the actors and not just the studio in charge.
Secondly, the deal assures actors of their place in the industry, by way of consent and compensation barriers being put in place over the use of A.I. One of the mitigating factors of the strike was the concern that computer generated imagery was becoming a very real threat to the acting craft. The hard-working folks of Hollywood didn’t want to see their likeness recreated without any care or consideration to their craft. It was a very real fear that actors could be put out of work via technology, and understandably, there needed to be an assurance that it wouldn’t happen.
The final deal also brokers better wages for background actors, as well as any performer considered to be part of a marginalised group. Lastly, the agreement ensures a better health plan for union members, should the worst happen.
Congratulations to the tireless negotiators and every actor that has given up their time and livelihood to make this historic deal happen, every hard-working professional deserves to know their worth!
So, as genre fans, what does this mean for us? Quite simply, that we can start looking forward to some amazing projects ahead. Scream 7, Chucky, Stranger Things, Blade, and Beetlejuice 2 were just some of the productions halted by the strike. Now they’ll be roaring back to life, and we’ll be here to keep those all-important tabs on them.
