Why the actors and writers strike is a nightmare for Hollywood
The ongoing SAG-WGA strike in Hollywood is causing significant concerns, particularly regarding the festival season and the upcoming awards race leading to the Oscars. One prominent example of the strike's impact can be seen in the premiere of the highly anticipated film, Oppenheimer, where director Christopher Nolan revealed that the star-studded cast had joined the strike.
Members of the acting and writing guilds in Hollywood have joined hands for the first time in over 60 years to strike for fair wages and worker rights. The subsequent strikes have brought the Western film industry to a standstill.
On Thursday (July 13), Oppenheimer, directed by Nolan, premiered in London. During the premiere, Nolan addressed the audience and shared that the cast had left to participate in the strike, stating they were "off to write their picket signs" in support of SAG-AFTRA's strike preparations.
Christopher Nolan says the cast of #Oppenheimer left the premiere to ‘go and write their pickets’ and join the strike pic.twitter.com/rc2SaSxcfk
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 13, 2023
After extending negotiations with the AMPTP beyond the original June 30 deadline, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) officially declared a strike during a press conference on July 13. The conference was led by SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree.
“You cannot change the business model as much as it has changed and not expect the contract to change.” #SAG #AFTRA #WGA #UnionStrong https://t.co/Q6rYJuPLPu
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) July 14, 2023
Under the many conditions of the strike, SAG members are to abstain from promotional activities for work under TV or theatrical contracts such as
- Tours
- Personal appearances
- Interviews
- Conventions
- Fan Expos
- Festivals
- For Your Consideration Events
- Fan Screenings
- Premieres
- Panels
- Award Shows
- Junkets
- Podcasts
- Social Media appearances
- Studio showcases
The absence of the cast members from promotional events and their participation in strike activities will hinder the marketing and promotion of films, including Oppenheimer, during the upcoming fall festival season.
SAG and the WGA are on strike at the same time for the first time in 60 years pic.twitter.com/eGgQ9t9PfH
— StarWarsLawyer ➡️ NYCC (@StarWarsLawyer) July 13, 2023
The premieres and red carpet events, which attract media attention and generate buzz, will be significantly less celebrity-studded without the presence of actors. Studios may reconsider spending substantial amounts of money on launching movies at festivals if they cannot showcase their stars.
The SAG-WGA strikes in Hollywood will undoubtedly have a significant impact on Oscar campaigning, adding another layer of complexity and uncertainty to the already competitive awards race.
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Here are several ways in which that would happen:
Limited participation of actors
With actors actively participating in strike activities and abstaining from promotional activities, including red carpet events, talk shows, and interviews, the visibility and presence of Oscar contenders will be severely affected. These activities are crucial for building buzz, generating media coverage, and connecting with audiences, all of which play a significant role in influencing Oscar voters.
Disrupted FYC campaigns
For Your Consideration (FYC) campaigns, which involve screenings, Q&A sessions, and industry events, heavily rely on the involvement of actors and creators. The strikes will make it challenging to coordinate these campaigns, as actors and showrunners will be unable to participate, hindering the ability to showcase their performances and build momentum for their films.
Limited media coverage
The absence of actors and the reduced star power at events and festivals due to the strikes will likely result in diminished media coverage. Media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, and online platforms, heavily rely on the presence of actors and their interviews, red carpet appearances, and behind-the-scenes stories to generate interest and coverage of potential Oscar contenders.
Altered release strategies
Studios and distributors may need to reconsider their release strategies for films affected by the strikes. If the strikes continue for an extended period, they may choose to delay the release of prestige films that heavily rely on the star power of actors to generate excitement and increase their chances of receiving Oscar nominations.
Uncertainty surrounding screenings and events
The strikes may disrupt the traditional Oscar screening schedule and events, making it difficult for voters to watch and evaluate films in a timely manner. Industry screenings and guild events that provide opportunities for voters to engage with films and talent may be impacted, potentially influencing the overall visibility and perception of certain contenders.
Potential delays and reshuffling of release dates
If the strikes persist, studios might consider delaying the release of their Oscar hopefuls to a period when the strikes are resolved, allowing for a more comprehensive and impactful campaign. This could lead to a reshuffling of release dates and create a more condensed awards season as studios try to maximize their films' exposure.
But that’s not all.
The strike will also lead to a complete shutdown of film production. While some projects had managed to continue filming without writers, the absence of actors will bring production to a standstill. This shutdown will further impact the release schedules of networks and streaming platforms, which rely on completed shows to fill their programming.
Here are several ways in which the strikes will affect the release landscape:
Production delays and shutdowns
With actors participating in strike activities, film productions will come to a standstill. This will lead to delays in shooting schedules and potentially impact the completion of films currently in production. Studios will have to reassess their release timelines and may need to push back premiere dates or postpone the release of certain films.
Limited pipeline of completed films
As production halts due to the strikes, there will be a limited number of new films entering the pipeline. This will create a gap in the release schedule, affecting the availability of fresh content for theaters, streaming platforms, and other distribution channels. Studios may face challenges in filling their release calendars and meeting audience demand.
Marketing and promotion disruptions
The strikes will disrupt the marketing and promotional efforts surrounding upcoming film releases. Without the participation of actors in interviews, red carpet events, and talk shows, studios will face difficulties in generating buzz and creating awareness for their films. This will impact the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and could result in reduced audience engagement and anticipation.
Shifted release strategies
Studios and distributors will need to reevaluate their release strategies in light of the strikes. Some may choose to delay the release of high-profile films, especially those heavily reliant on star power, in order to maximize the impact of promotional activities once the strikes are resolved. This could lead to a reshuffling of release dates and a more condensed release calendar in the future.
Financial implications
The strikes will have financial implications for studios and production companies. The disruption in production and marketing activities can lead to increased costs, loss of revenue, and potential financial setbacks. The strikes may also impact box office performance, as the absence of star-driven films and the overall lack of new releases can dampen audience interest and ticket sales.
Uncertainty in the distribution landscape
The strikes will introduce uncertainty into the distribution landscape. Streaming platforms, theaters, and other distribution partners may need to adjust their strategies and schedules in response to the production delays and limited availability of new films. This could result in changes to distribution deals, release windows, and exhibition strategies.
Impact on smaller and independent films
Smaller and independent films, which often rely on festivals, critical acclaim, and word-of-mouth marketing, may be particularly affected by the strikes. The limited availability of promotional opportunities, reduced media coverage, and potential reshuffling of release dates may make it more challenging for these films to gain visibility and find their audience.
The strikes may also affect regional festivals and the release of non-English language films. The New York Film Festival and other regional festivals that contribute to the awards season may struggle to find movies to showcase.
Additionally, the industry's perception of non-guild-affiliated international titles brought to the U.S. by studios during the strikes remains uncertain.
The upsides of the shifted focus
In the absence of actors' active participation in campaigning, the focus may shift more toward filmmakers, directors, and behind-the-scenes talent. Studios and publicists may emphasize the creative vision, directing prowess, and overall craftsmanship of films to compensate for the limited involvement of actors. This could result in a greater emphasis on filmmaker interviews, directorial achievements, and technical aspects of the films.
The strikes will have far-reaching consequences for the future of the Hollywood ecosystem. If you weren't worried already, you should be.