JULY 17, 2023 – Writers and actors are constantly collaborating with each other to bring their creations to life. Now they are collaborating in support of their livelihoods. While the strike by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) continues, the Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have authorized a strike of their own, also against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

Variety is reporting on the strike, which went into effect on Friday. This is the first performers’ strike under their TV and film contract since 1980, and the only other time that actors and writers have struck at the same time was in 1960.

Two of the issues that both the actors and the writers are concerned about are streaming and artificial intelligence. They believe that their contracts need to be updated to reflect new business models and to protect them from potential replacement by the use of AI.

The current SAG-AFTRA contract expired at midnight on Wednesday. The AMPTP argues it presented a deal that offered “historic pay and residual increases, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, and a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors’ digital likenesses for SAG-AFTRA members.”

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland held a press conference, during which Drescher said that she had expected to settle the contract issues without a strike but said, “I cannot believe it, quite frankly, how far apart we are on so many things.” Crabtree-Ireland said of the AMPTP’s position, “If you think this is a historic proposal, think again.”

While there are several other contracts and covered work not affected by the work stoppage, much of what audiences, including Star Trek fans, look forward to from their favorite creators could be on hiatus until the strike is settled. The list of affected services and performing work for actors includes not only on-screen performances but also such things as conventions, fan expos, podcast appearances and social media.

Stay tuned for updates on how the strike will affect specific shows, appearances, etc.