Hollywood’s Work Stoppage Drags Into Second Month Amid Demands for Fair Compensation and AI Protections
As of August 2023, the SAG-AFTRA strike, which began on July 14, continued to reverberate across the entertainment industry, causing widespread shutdowns in film and television production, delays in major releases, and halts to promotional campaigns. With actors and writers united on the picket lines, the strike marked one of the most significant labor movements in Hollywood in over six decades.
Alongside the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which has been on strike since May 2, SAG-AFTRA’s continued action emphasized the growing call for structural changes in how creative labor is compensated and protected in the streaming era and the age of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
Industry-Wide Standstill
By August, the dual strikes had brought most scripted productions to a standstill, including high-profile films and TV series in development across studios like Warner Bros., Disney, Netflix, Amazon, and Apple TV+. Film festivals, awards campaigns, and industry events such as San Diego Comic-Con and Venice Film Festival were significantly scaled back or altered due to the absence of actors and writers.
Actors were barred from engaging in any work related to filming, promoting, or discussing struck projects, resulting in the cancellation of press tours, red carpet appearances, and fan events. Studio backlots fell silent, and thousands of industry workers—from camera operators to caterers—were indirectly affected by the production halts.
Core Issues: AI, Streaming Residuals, and Fair Pay
The strike stemmed from contract negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which failed to address several major concerns:
- Streaming residuals: Performers demanded a revised residual structure that reflects the dominance and profitability of streaming platforms, where traditional rerun-based payments are nearly nonexistent.
- Artificial intelligence: The union sought protections against studios using AI to digitally replicate actors’ likenesses and voices without consent or fair compensation. This issue proved especially urgent for background actors, whose scans could potentially be used in perpetuity.
- Base compensation increases: With inflation and stagnant minimums, actors called for higher wages, especially for those outside the A-list elite who rely on regular jobs to maintain eligibility for health benefits.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland repeatedly emphasized that the strike was not just about stars, but about preserving the dignity and livelihoods of all union members.
Widespread Solidarity and Public Support
As the strike extended through August, support for SAG-AFTRA grew both within and outside the entertainment industry. Major labor organizations such as:
- The Teamsters
- The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
- The Directors Guild of America (DGA)
issued statements backing the strike, reinforcing a broader movement toward labor solidarity. Meanwhile, fans showed support through social media campaigns, donation drives, and participation in picket line demonstrations in Los Angeles and New York.
Celebrities including Matt Damon, Viola Davis, Bryan Cranston, and Jessica Chastain joined rallies and echoed calls for studios to return to the negotiating table in good faith.
The Broader Implications
Beyond immediate production delays, the SAG-AFTRA strike spotlighted deep-rooted challenges in the evolving entertainment economy:
- The disconnect between soaring studio and CEO profits and stagnant worker compensation.
- The rapid integration of AI and digital replication without clear labor standards.
- The redefinition of what it means to be a working actor or writer in a post-network era.
Industry observers noted that the strike could reshape labor contracts and business models for years to come, potentially setting precedents for other creative sectors grappling with digital disruption.
What’s Next?
As of late August, negotiations remained stalled. While federal mediation was proposed, no new agreements had been reached, and union leadership signaled they were prepared for a prolonged work stoppage to ensure meaningful progress.
The strikes are expected to impact fall television schedules, delay 2024 film releases, and alter awards season timelines. Yet for many within SAG-AFTRA, the short-term sacrifices are necessary to secure long-term protections in a changing industry.
Source:
Entertainment Weekly – SAG-AFTRA Strike Coverage
SAG-AFTRA Official Updates
