The first simultaneous strikes of writers and actors in over 60 years have had a significant impact on Hollywood, bringing much of the town to a standstill. The ongoing work stoppage may continue for the rest of 2023, which has raised concerns about upcoming industry events and whether they can proceed as planned. One organization facing these challenges is the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the institution behind the annual Academy Awards and other major industry events.
Two of these events, the Academy’s Museum Gala and the Governors Awards, are historically held in the fall but are now in jeopardy. The Museum Gala is a crucial annual fundraiser for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and has gained a reputation as the west coast’s version of the Met Gala. The event has attracted big names and made significant fundraising achievements in its previous editions. However, the third edition scheduled for October 14 is uncertain due to the ongoing strikes.
Considering the philanthropic nature of the Museum Gala and the Academy’s neutral position on labor disputes, it is unlikely that the striking guilds would forbid their members from attending or picket the event. However, individual members might choose not to attend due to the awkwardness of being in the presence of executives whose companies they are striking against. Additionally, the optics of attending a lavish event while most colleagues in the industry are struggling could give many pause.
The Governors Awards, which is an annual gala dinner where the Academy’s board of governors honors individuals from the film community, is another event at risk. The 14th edition of the Governors Awards is already scheduled for November 18, and it is a non-televised event organized by union workers. While this may seem favorable for the guilds, there are complications. The Governors Awards strategically takes place during the Oscar season, attracting big names currently in contention for awards. However, attending the event comes at a significant cost, usually covered by studios who invite key contributors to their films. This dynamic would be untenable during the strike.
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Moreover, two of this year’s four Governors Awards honorees are actors, Angela Bassett and Mel Brooks. If they express reservations about attending during the actors strike, the event may not be able to proceed as planned. The other two honorees, film editor Carol Littleton and Sundance Institute founder Michelle Satter, are highly distinguished but may not have the star power to drive ticket sales independently.
For the Academy, postponing the Governors Awards beyond January 16, 2024, would risk losing the primary incentive for current movie stars to attend, as voting for the 96th Oscars nominations closes on that date. The previous delay of the 12th Governors Awards due to the pandemic resulted in fewer notable attendees, highlighting the importance of timing for the event.
In comparison, the 96th Academy Awards, set to air on March 10, 2024, is less likely to be affected by the strike. While writers and actors are striking against the studios, it is improbable that the Oscars will be canceled or postponed. The industry’s survival depends on the continuation of the awards season, and a strike that lasts into March would have devastating consequences. Additionally, the Oscars have historically taken place even during strikes, as seen in the 1960 and 1967 simultaneous strikes of writers and actors.
The strikes in the 1960s did not prevent the Oscars from proceeding. In 1960, host Bob Hope jokingly referred to the awards as “Hollywood’s most glamorous strike meeting,” highlighting the resilience and acting performances of the attendees. Similarly, in 1967, a strike threatened the 39th Oscars, but it was resolved just hours before the scheduled telecast. Bob Hope, once again emceeing the event, joked about the on-again, off-again nature of the awards, bringing humor to the tense situation.
In conclusion, the ongoing strikes by writers and actors have created uncertainty for upcoming industry events, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Museum Gala and Governors Awards. While the Academy remains neutral and the philanthropic nature of the events may discourage picketing, individual members may choose not to attend due to the striking dynamic. The Academy will face challenges in determining how to proceed with these events and maintain the schedule if the strikes persist. However, it is unlikely that the Oscars, scheduled for March 10, 2024, will be significantly affected by the strike, considering the industry’s dependence on the awards season and the historical precedent of the Oscars proceeding during strikes.
