- WGA and SAG-AFTRA continue to strike in Hollywood
- Studios are ready to open up talks with writers for the WGA
- Actors from SAG-AFTRA still haven't received new word from studios
It's no doubt that Hollywood is living some of it most tumultuous moments in its illustrious history as the entertainment capital of the whole wide world. But there could be some good news amidst the strike...finally. In the wake of yesterday’s upbeat update that the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and the WGA are heading back for talks this Friday, SAG-AFTRA’s representatives still say that as far as actors go, it’s still crickets from the producers. What does this all mean? If we have writers but no actors, what is going to happen to the industry?
Actors in SAG-AFTRA aren't ready to budge just yet!
As far as the negotiations with SAG-AFTRA members go, this is what the union’s National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator tells 'Deadline': "We have not heard from the AMPTP since July 12 when they told us they would not be willing to continue talks for quite some." In recent weeks, it has come to the public's attention how the reality for most working actors today is far from glamourous, with many actors that are typically supporting or background talent barely able to make ends meet, despite being frequently employed. The revenue from streaming services is part of what actors want a cut of, and rightfully so!
Meanwhile for the AMPTP and WGA, it’s the first time the two sides have met since a strike was called on May 2. Which could signify a turning point in this scandal, after all!
Also interesting:
Quite a move...
"As we’ve stated publicly and privately every day since July 12, we are ready, willing and able to return to the table at any time," said SG-AFTRA representative Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. "The only way a strike comes to an end is through the parties talking and we urge them to return to the table so that we can get the industry back to work as soon as possible,” he continued.
But yesterday, appearing on the 'Today' show in an interview, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said that the guild is in it for the long haul. There will be no budging until they reach an agreement that’s good for everyone involved. This is what Fran had to say after some tense few weeks in Tinsel Town: "We have financially prepared ourselves for the next six months. And we’re really in it to win it."
This means that this story isn't going away anytime soon...that's for certain. What is still unknown, what is going to happen to all of the talent that makes up Hollywood, if these issues aren't resolved before the new year.
