The SAG-AFTRA strike continues. And with indications that the 2 sides aren’t actually speaking, it appears unlikely that will probably be ending anytime quickly. However the actors on strike are making their voices heard, and through a rally in New York yesterday acclaimed actor Bryan Cranston took intention straight at Disney CEO Bob Iger on the problems of honest pay, in addition to the usage of Synthetic Intelligence in movies.
Actors took to Occasions Sq. in New York for the “Rock the Metropolis for a Truthful Contract” rally the place a number of outstanding names spoke in help of the union’s calls for. Among the many speeches, Bryan Cranston took particular intention on the CEO of Disney, who just lately made headlines for saying that the union’s calls for have been “not real looking.” Cranston stated (through Selection) that whereas he understood why Iger would have a unique perspective on the strike than the actors, he hoped the CEO would hearken to what was being stated and perceive why they have been asking for it. Cranston addressed the rally saying…
We’ve bought a message for Mr. Iger. I do know, sir, that you simply look [at] issues via a unique lens. We don’t anticipate you to grasp who we’re. However we ask you to listen to us, and past that to hearken to us after we let you know we is not going to be having our jobs taken away and given to robots. We is not going to have you ever take away our proper to work and earn a good dwelling. And lastly, and most significantly, we is not going to permit you to take away our dignity! We’re union via and thru, all the way in which to the tip!
The union has requested for a lot of modifications to the present contract between itself and the studios. Most notably, the actors are in search of higher residual funds for streaming productions, as a lot of the present offers solely lengthen to movies or broadcast tv. They’re additionally in search of assurances that the presently progressing AI know-how isn’t used to supplant them in any manner. The WGA union, masking Hollywood writers, can also be on strike for lots of the similar causes.
It’s definitely true that Bob Iger goes to have a unique perspective on issues than SAG. Iger is accountable to shareholders, who’re seemingly taking a look at Disney’s profitability above all else. Disney particularly has been beneath fireplace for its income, resulting in vital layoffs all through Disney this 12 months. Definitely, any concessions that pay actors extra will impression that profitability. It doesn’t imply Disney or different studios received’t be worthwhile, however Wall Avenue likes to see development, and spending extra on film and TV initiatives because of a brand new contract would sluggish that development at finest.
Actors, alternatively, need what they see as their fair proportion of the cash being made by these initiatives. Whereas Hollywood has pivoted exhausting to streaming, actors and writers have been seeing much less cash due to it. To date it seems that either side are holding agency, which solely signifies that the strike will proceed.
