On October 12, 2023, in Los Angeles, negotiations between Hollywood actors and major studios came to a halt, dimming any prospects of concluding the ongoing three-month actors’ strike.
Studios made the decision to suspend the contract talks, pointing out a substantial disparity between the positions of both parties.
Despite this, studios had presented an offer comparable to the one that successfully concluded the writers’ strike recently.
The actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, has responded by condemning the studios for their alleged “bullying tactics” during negotiations. They further argued that the studios were not representing their offers accurately. This pushback from the actors’ union suggests deep mistrust and tension between the two entities.
One significant point of contention has been the actors’ most recent proposal, presented to the studios last Wednesday, October 4. The proposal is estimated to impose an additional $800 million annual expense on the companies. Studios have labeled this as an “untenable economic burden,” expressing serious reservations about moving forward with such demands.
The ongoing strike began on July 14, with actors advocating for better compensation for streaming content and more control over the usage of their likenesses generated through artificial intelligence. These concerns reflect the changing nature of the entertainment industry, with streaming platforms becoming more prevalent and technology playing a bigger role in content creation.
The recent negotiations resumed only last week, marking the first return to the discussion table since the strike’s commencement in July. With these talks breaking down, the film and television industry faces uncertainty, especially considering the fact that scripted television shows and movies have had their production halted indefinitely.