By Holly Aguirre, New York Daily News
LOS ANGELES — By 9 a.m. on Tuesday, hundreds of SAG/AFTRA and WGA members and supporters had gathered outside the Netflix studios on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood. Armed with signs, water and sunscreen, the picketers represent the 160,000 actors in the Screen Actors Guild who went on strike last week, joining the Writers Guild of America.
While there are several bones of contention, the strikers are fed up with lack of residuals from streaming services and threats of having their likenesses used in perpetuity with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for no additional compensation.
Some are also frustrated by the lack of an A-lister presence on the picket line.
“I would love to know where the one and two percent actors are,” said a SAG member who goes by the Instagram moniker @strikesigns.
“There’s a great sign on the WGA line that says, ‘Where the f–k is Ben Affleck?’ I’m feeling that way about [some of] our actors,” she said.
George Clooney, a two-time Oscar-winner and friend of Affleck, issued a statement in a show of solidarity, and pal Matt Damon walked off the “Oppenheimer” red carpet. But for those on the front lines, that’s simply not enough.
“There’s a difference between someone making a statement in the air-conditioned splendor of their mansion, and being out here in 90-degree heat, where they’re making a sacrifice with their body to show solidarity,” SAG member Lynn Andrews told the Daily News. “We’re all here and we can’t pay our rent. So the least you could do is strap up your running shoes and get with it.”
SAG member @strikesigns said that she makes it a habit to check the social media posts of her fellow SAG members to see who is at least showing up electronically, but that she is also surprised to see who is not. “I haven’t seen Brie Larson post anything. She’s part of “Captain Marvel,” works for Disney and just started one of the biggest blockbusters of the summer, “Fast X,” and she’s typically a very active voice.”
Though visibly frustrated, Andrews and @strikesigns both agreed, despite the no-shows, that they are “energized” by the unity of the two unions, a first since 1960.
Actor Ben Kaufman seconded that emotion.
“The executives don’t seem to realize that the actors and writers are now forming bonds that won’t be broken,” Kaufman said.
“I’ve met so many people that I otherwise wouldn’t have had we not gone on strike.”
Indie filmmaker John Weiner said he believes the strike symbolizes a sea change in the American labor movement, but that it will take time.
“I don’t mind it going on for years because I think the whole country needs something like this,” Weiner told The News. “I think everyone needs workers’ revolution, actually.”
Referring to the studio CEOs and executives as “brilliant narcissists,” Weiner said their need to dominate and “straight-up greed” is what started “this mess.”
“Hopefully they’ll figure a way out where they still come off like they’re the heroes, because they’re not going to say, ‘Oh, you know what, you’re right. You broke me,’ ” he said. “But they’re not stronger than the strong union. So that’s why we’re here.”
Character actor Toby Huss (“White House Plumbers,” “Fatal Attraction”) agreed with Weiner that studio executives know exactly what they’re doing, referring to leaders as “apex predators in this capitalist system.”
Huss described what he thinks is a carefully calculated way to hide profits and systematically manipulate loopholes in the system.
“This is a real existential threat,” Huss said. “AI and the way that industry is going, I don’t know if, using the current model, that writing a television show or writing a series for streaming service, or writing a movie is going to be a viable way to make a real living in the United States anymore. And the same thing with acting.”
Huss, who also paints and dabbles in photography, doesn’t hold out hope for a happy Hollywood ending and believes that this will be the strike to end all strikes.
“If something isn’t done now … big industry will just move on,” he said. “I don’t know if, 10 years from now, acting is going to be a viable profession. Maybe on stage.
“It’s ironic that they’re fighting to marginalize writers and actors at this point, while at the same time they’re looking at some real marginalization of their own business model in the future.”
Holly Aguirre cut her teeth on the music scene in Athens, Georgia, launching her decades-long career in journalism. Her work has appeared in Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Esquire, and the Chicago Tribune. A former New Yorker, Holly lives in Los Angeles with her dogs Corky St. Clair and Peaches.
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