Now that the writer’s strike is over, the actor’s strike has gotten more attention.
The writer’s strike started on May 2 and ended on Sept. 27. WGA stands for the Writers Guild of America and represents over 11,500 screenwriters. Writers went on strike due to wanting higher wages, and overall more compensation, as well as wanting protection from Artificial Intelligence (AI.) This strike was the longest interruption to the American film industry since COVID-19. This strike has canceled many shows, and films, and has even caused some studios to close. The strike ended after WGA and writers came to an agreement: their pay will automatically increase by 4%, another 4% in May 2024, and 3.5% in May 2025, health funds will increase as well. The deal also assures that AI cannot write or rewrite material. Shows like “The Drew Barrymore Show,” have started making a comeback. The actors strike has still not come to an agreement.
SAG-AFTRA: Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists has been on strike since July 14, after a dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for the same reason the writers were on strike, seeking higher compensation and protection from Artificial Intelligence. This is the first time actors have gone on strike since 1980, and writers and actors have gone on strike together since 1960. A lot of people have not heard much about this important issue like junior Chase Kuhn.
“ I haven’t really seen much, but I do know that writers weren’t getting paid a lot, and decided to take some time off because they weren’t getting paid at all. I couldn’t watch some shows that I enjoyed,” he said.
People are missing out on their favorite shows and movies and seeing their favorite actors. Shows and films have been getting pushed back, or even canceled due to the strike. Many people are sick of waiting for new things to come out. Senior Aalia Elnaiem has been waiting for her favorite shows to come back.
“I’m really missing out on “Euphoria” because they had to push their filming back. There hasn’t really been anything new so I’ve been having to watch old shows and movies,” she said.
Shows like the Max show “Euphoria,” and Netflix series “Stranger Things” have had to push filming back, and it’s left many fans of the shows upset. Films like “Dune Part Two,” “Avatar 3,” and 4, as well as “Dirty Dancing,” have all been postponed. Senior Emmy Nance said she understands why the writers and actors need to go on strike.
“Technology is getting out of hand and writers don’t have safe, creative ability anymore because of AI. Actors rely on writers for jobs and opportunities, so if the writers are going on strike, they’ll have fewer things to do,” she said.
Many people think that AI will take over and cause people to lose their jobs, which is a huge part of the reason actors are going on strike, and writers have gone on strike. Many actors and writers have been posting about the strike, and most of them take place in Hollywood. So many shows and films have been getting postponed, and it’s been leaving people wondering when their favorite things to watch will come back. Now that the writer’s strike is over, hopefully, the actors can come to an agreement, and we’ll be able to binge-watch new shows and films again.
