SAG-AFTRA Issues Guidelines for Convention Appearances
Image: SAG-AFTRA / AMPTP.
JULY 19, 2023 – Since the beginning of the SAG-AFTRA strike last week, one of the questions that has arisen among fans is what to expect at conventions and other public appearances in which the striking actors are participating. The union has supplied some FAQs, which should help clarify the situation.
According to these guidelines, on the union’s strike page, the answer to the basic, obvious question, is yes, striking SAG-AFTRA members can attend conventions, under certain restrictions. The appearances, for example, cannot be “on behalf of or to promote companies we are striking against.” Conventions devoted to particular fandoms (like the upcoming STLV: 57-Year Mission) must be “wholly independent of and unaffiliated with the struck companies….”
Once the actor or other creative is at the convention, there are further restrictions on what they can do with regard to autographs, panels, etc. Generally, “[a]ppearances, panels, fan meet and greets, etc. are all okay, as long as they do not promote struck work or struck companies.” Specifically, for example, they will not be providing photos of themselves in character, so if you want something signed like that, you have to bring it yourself. But don’t expect them to talk about struck projects or companies, including Star Trek and Paramount, with you individually or on panels and Q&As.
There are exceptions to these guidelines, such as projects that fall under contracts other than the one at the center of the strike. Some of these might include work on video games or television animation, so the actors might be able to talk about those projects or autograph related items.
Of course, there are more details than those presented here, so check out the FAQs themselves for a deeper dive into the workings of the strike and its effects on public appearances.
If you haven’t already, check out our coverage of the strike, too, beginning with yesterday’s posts, and stay tuned for Trek-related updates as they are warranted.
David is a contributing writer for Daily Star Trek News on the Roddenberry Podcast Network. He is a librarian, baseball fan, and book and movie buff. He has also written for American Libraries and Skeptical Inquirer. David also enjoys diverse music, but leans toward classical and jazz. He plays a mean radio.
