Amidst the excitement of this year’s San Diego Comic-Con on 20-23 July 2023, with enthusiastic fans and colorful TV show billboards, there was an unexpected twist in Hall H on Saturday afternoon. Little did most people know, the event coincided with not one but two ongoing strikes – the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strikes. Hall H, usually filled with eager fans and A-list celebrities, had noticeably empty seats. Entertainment journalist Scott Mantz took the stage alone without the usual Hollywood stars, showcasing exclusive footage and prompting applause for absent actors. It became evident that this year’s San Diego Comic-Con lacked the usual glitz of Hollywood.
The convergence of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, both affecting thousands of film and TV workers, has created an explosive situation in Hollywood. This marks the first time in sixty years that writers and actors have gone on strike simultaneously, intensifying the industry’s labor strife.
Who is protesting?
The protestors include members of the WGA & SAG-AFTRA, who began their strikes on May 2 & July 13, respectively. While the writer’s fraternity walked out completely, the situation is slightly more complex regarding actors. Most people tend to assume that actors make millions off each project, but journeymen actors with minor roles are not paid as handsomely as mainstream actors, making them the leaders of the SAG-AFTRA protest. These actors depend on these petty roles as their primary source of income, so they struggle to meet essential financial needs. Notably, Hollywood’s brightest stars, including Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, and Johnny Depp, are among the union members of SAG-AFTRA.
And rightly so! Numerous A-list Hollywood celebrities, such as Meryl Streep, Ben Stiller, and Colin Farrell, are actively supporting both strike movements. Stars like Jane Fonda, Susan Sarandon, Rob Lowe, and Mark Ruffalo have walked picket lines to show solidarity with the writers and other unions like IATSE, have also released statements supporting the actors’ cause.
Why are they protesting?
Despite negotiations, the unions and studios haven’t reached an agreement.
Direct Implications of the Protest
The ongoing strikes also have other far-reaching implications. Disney CEO Bob Iger expressed concern about the strike’s damaging effects on the entire industry, especially during heightened disruption and job cuts across significant entertainment companies. This larger battle for better pay and benefits is not unique to Hollywood; workers from various industries, including Starbucks Corp., Amazon.com Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc., and United Parcel Service Inc., are also engaged in their own struggles for improved working conditions.
Potential Changes in the Entertainment Industry Following the Protest
This rare joint protest, last witnessed in 1960, reflects their shared fight for revenue from movies aired on TV. With the guild projecting daily costs at $30 million, the strikes will likely impact the industry and the economy. Drawing lessons from the past, the 2007 writers’ strike reshaped the media landscape by fueling the rise of unscripted content, such as reality TV shows. The current walkout could similarly lead to transformative shifts, eroding Hollywood’s traditional advantages and paving the way for a new generation of stars.
The strikes have already pushed many entertainers to become creators and explore alternative avenues of creativity, using platforms like Twitch and YouTube to engage with digital audiences and fund independent projects. As the online creator industry explodes, analysts predict it could increase 2X in size over the next 5 years, thanks to increased spending from advertisers, viewers, and tech platforms eager to capitalize on creators’ virality.
Overall, it is clear that the entertainment industry is going through a period of change and uncertainty. However, new technologies and innovative approaches also have great potential for growth and evolution. As audiences demand new and exciting content, and writers and actors demand their deserving dues, the industry must adapt and embrace new opportunities to thrive.
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