On the first day of the SAG-AFTRA strike in New York City, four simultaneous protests took place, attracting writers, members of IATSE, local Democratic Socialists of America, and other unions. Similar protests were held in Los Angeles as well. The picket lines were formed in front of prominent entertainment offices such as Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, Amazon, HBO, Paramount, and NBCUniversal. A wide range of actors participated in the protests, including Jason Sudeikis, Peppermint, David Krumholtz, Kevin Corrigan, Zach Cherry, Jen Tullock, Ariela Barer, and Clarissa Thibeaux.
The picketers at Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery experienced a brief encounter with the police, who had to guide the actors off the sidewalk and into barricades. However, the protest continued with a curated playlist featuring songs like Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family,” Beyonce’s “Break My Soul,” and Lizzo’s “About Damn Time,” which played even as the picketers had to wear ponchos due to the rain.
One of the key issues for the actors on the picket lines was fair pay, particularly in terms of residuals from streaming services. Another significant concern that emerged during the negotiations was the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Susan Sarandon, an actress known for her roles in “Thelma & Louise” and “Monarch,” emphasized the importance of addressing these issues now to prevent irreversible damage. Merritt Wever, star of “Unbelievable,” expressed the need for a contract that would allow professionals in the arts to continue their work.
Pay was a major topic of discussion among workers at all levels of the industry. Chris Henry Coffey, a SAG-AFTRA member who frequently appears as a guest star on networks and streamers, highlighted the issue of wages going in reverse. Gary Farris, a background actor and SAG-AFTRA member since 2008, also felt that wages for his position had not kept up with inflation.
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Actors like Sagan Chen and Merritt Wever pointed out the discrepancies between the linear and streaming models and the need for better contract terms with streamers. Kelly Klein expressed concern about the use of AI and the significant reduction in residuals from streamers. Ariela Barer discussed the challenges of losing residuals and having their show, “Runaways,” removed from Disney+. AI’s impact on background actors was also a prominent topic, with concerns about their likeness being used indefinitely without consent or appropriate compensation. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s chief negotiator, stated that the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers proposed background actors receive only one day of pay for a digital scan. However, the AMPTP denied these claims and clarified that consent and bargaining were necessary for using the digital replica of a background actor.
Despite the ongoing negotiations, both the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA showed solidarity with each other. Patrick Coker, a WGA East strike captain, highlighted the support from unions like SAG-AFTRA and IATSE and their reciprocal support during the Writers Guild strike. The two unions share many similar issues, such as the impact of AI. Sagan Chen emphasized the importance of protecting actors’ image and agency in media and art.
With both the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA on strike, there is hope that significant progress can be made in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The absence of writers and actors on set can effectively halt projects, which may put pressure on the AMPTP to resolve the issues at hand. The unions are optimistic about finding common ground and addressing the concerns raised during the strikes.
Overall, the first day of the SAG-AFTRA strike in New York City was marked by strong unity among various unions and a collective determination to fight for fair pay and AI protections. The protests provided a platform for actors to voice their concerns and advocate for a better future in the entertainment industry.
