The Rock, Walter White back Hollywood strike while Netflix wants more AI
With over 160,000 members fighting for better pay, working conditions, and concerns regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the film industry, the ongoing strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has had unprecedented attention in the entertainment industry over the week since its conception. Here’s how things are looking.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's 'historic' donation
One of the world's wealthiest entertainers, Dwayne Johnson, has shown his strong support for the striking actors by donating a "historic" sum of money towards the cause. With a personal fortune exceeding a quarter of a billion dollars, Johnson stepped up to help the SAG-AFTRA members during their time on the picket lines.
While the exact amount of his donation remains confidential, it is known to be a substantial seven-figure sum. The donation will be channeled through the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Emergency Financial Assistance Program, which was previously utilised to provide financial support to members during the pandemic.
Dwayne Johnson donating money to SAG is really fucking cool and I hope other rich actors will follow the lead, there are countless actors right now who will be heavily affected by the strike and these donations will help them get through these times. Can’t care less if this PR
— Sasha (Rosé's version) (@yeajirose) July 25, 2023
The union's president, Courtney B Vance, and executive director Cyd Wilson highlighted the financial hardships faced by those on strike in letters to 2,700 of the highest-earning members. They emphasised the importance of support from high-profile talent, like Johnson, who have the means to help others during this critical time.
Solidarity at Times Square rally
SAG-AFTRA held its largest and most star-studded rally on Tuesday, July 25, in Times Square, demonstrating a strong show of solidarity as the strike entered its third week. Prominent actors including Jessica Chastain, Brendan Fraser, Ellen Burstyn, and many others, joined the picket lines to advocate for their demands. The rally saw passionate speeches, performances, and calls to action from both actors and representatives of the union.
Breaking Bad’s Walter White - Bryan Cranston - delivered an impassioned speech during the Times Square rally that struck a chord with the gathered actors and the broader entertainment community. As a well-respected figure in Hollywood and a former president of the union, Cranston's words carried weight and resonated with the crowd.
Historic moment right here on the stage: three of the best actors of our time, Bryan Cranston, Brendan Fraser and Steve Buscemi hugging and cheering one another in support of the Union. The beautiful smile of Brendan Fraser, ladies and gentlemen. #BrendanFraser #SAGAFTRA pic.twitter.com/bZpzI6ZgQ5
— prince0306 (@prince_0306) July 26, 2023
With fervour and conviction, Cranston addressed Disney CEO Bob Iger directly, delivering a powerful message on behalf of the striking actors. He acknowledged that the industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, driven by the advent of streaming platforms and the growing use of AI in content creation. These changes have had a profound impact on actors' compensation, residuals, and working conditions.
Bryan Cranston delivers a speech at the NYC SAG-AFTRA strike rally.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 25, 2023
“We will not be having our jobs taken away and given to robots. We will not have you take away our right to work and earn a decent living. We will not allow you to take our dignity.” pic.twitter.com/aReUxk7SVo
"We will not have you take away our right to work and earn a decent living," Cranston declared, embodying the frustration and determination of those on strike. He emphasised that the actors' demands for a fair share in the streaming revolution and proper protections against the exploitation of AI are entirely justified.
Cranston stressed that the actors are not opposed to progress or technological advancements.
- Still, they demand that their rights and livelihoods be protected amidst these changes.
- One of the key issues the actors are fighting against is the potential replacement of human actors with AI-generated characters, depriving them of job opportunities and fair compensation.
- He also encouraged all actors to unite in solidarity and stand up for their rights collectively, regardless of their prominence or financial standing.
By quoting Frederick Douglass and referencing HBO’s Succession, Cranston cleverly drew parallels between the characters portrayed in the show and the studio executives with whom the actors are negotiating.
Succession’s Stewy Hosseini - Arian Moayed himself - compared the characters of the HBO series to the studio executives the actors are negotiating with.
SAG-AFTRA's stance and negotiations
SAG-AFTRA, along with the Writers Guild of America (WGA), is currently on strike - the first time both unions have been on strike simultaneously since 1960. The stoppage has brought much of Hollywood to a standstill and has resulted in halted negotiations between the union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), representing studios.
The union argues that
- The film industry's economic landscape has changed dramatically, and they seek adjustments to reflect these changes in their contracts.
- They are looking for fair compensation, especially in the era of streaming, where residuals and traditional forms of earnings have been impacted.
- The actors are concerned about the growing use of AI in content creation and how it might affect their job opportunities and livelihoods.
The streaming revolution, which has altered pay structures and working conditions in the entertainment industry, is a significant point of contention for the striking actors.
- They are also seeking safeguards against the misuse of artificial intelligence and improvements to their healthcare and pension programs.
The strike has led to the closure of nearly all film and television production, creating a substantial impact on the industry.
The AMPTP claims to have presented a ‘generous’ deal that includes a significant increase in minimum pay - the largest in 35 years - along with other benefits. However, no negotiations have taken place since the strike commenced.
The intersection of AI and the strike
Ironically, while the strike revolves around concerns regarding AI's impact on the industry, it appears that some studios are doubling down on investing in AI technologies for content creation.
According to The Intercept, Netflix has posted a job listing for a Product Manager position in their AI Machine Learning Program, offering an annual salary of $900,000. The program aims to optimise film and TV production using in-house AI.
Congrats to my buddy Hal for landing the sweet AI gig at Netflix. https://t.co/L4TpOgt578 pic.twitter.com/8uU7mmFTs3
— Alex Winter (@Winter) July 26, 2023
This move has been criticised by some actors, including Rob Delaney, who starred in a recent Black Mirror episode satirising the use of AI in TV. Delaney expressed his dismay at the generous salary offered for an AI position, arguing that the funds could instead support numerous actors and their families' health insurance.
The bottom line
While negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have not resumed since the strike began, the actors' union remains committed to finding a resolution that addresses their concerns.
However, the studios' growing investment in AI technologies for content creation adds an intriguing layer of complexity to the ongoing dispute, raising questions about the future of the entertainment industry and the actors' role within it. As the strike continues, the entertainment world watches closely for further developments and potential resolutions.