Comments on: SAG Strike Unlikely, Far Less Damaging To TV Than Writer's Strike

By: Mel

Mel — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 04:40:51 +0000

I’m not sure if that is how it would work for the dual cardholders. Because even if a production is AFTRA, it may still be for a struck company.
If the other unions have ‘no strike’ clauses that will certainly make it more complicated.(or less I guess)

By: mike d

mike d — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:36:41 +0000

I think they will vote to strike. Most actors are not “Actors”. They are waiters and waitress’. Most do NOT make the majority of their income from the entertainment industry. The ones that do ie. Brad Pitt, don’t even need the union (club) they can negotiate far beyond what SAG could do for them. We are talking about protecting jobs that earn far less than $20,000 per year. Sounds like poverty to me. What are you guys fighting for??? Just go to work and earn your $10 bucks an hour!!!!!

By: Doc Holiday

Doc Holiday — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:41:38 +0000

Sag strike would mean Youtube is about to explode with new acting talents that will work for cut rate prices. The regular people get a better chance at breaking through the Hollywierd’s walls without union snobbery cutting their throats.

By: Rob R

Rob R — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:39:26 +0000

If the actors strike say on Jan 31, I believe Lost would still be 5 episodes short. They will have finished only 12 or 13. NOT GOOD!!! We gotta have our LOST.

By: Cookson

Cookson — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:09:27 +0000

How would LOST be affected by this? Do they only have to get the remaining episode written? They’re filming episode 10 and 11(out of 17)… so, is that enough time? The first episode doesn’t air till January 21st.

Let me just say that LOST is honestly the only show I watch now, so that’s why I’m asking.

By: coolbreeze

coolbreeze — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:04:01 +0000

A show is either an AFTRA or SAG. An actor can belong to both unions, but no show can sign contracts with both. You are correct that during a SAG strike, AFTRA productions would continue without interruption. SAG legally can not even picket the AFTRA shows, so there would be no isseues involving crossing the picket lines. If an actor on an AFTRA show is also is a SAG member, they would also continue to work during any SAG work stopage (because as stated before SAG cannot picket an AFTRA show. This is all a matter of labor law. This would also be another reason SAG would likely be reluctant to strike, SAG could very well make it self irrelevant in scripted television. Although current SAG shows could not easily convert to AFTRA (union labor laws), almost any new projects would certainly go AFTRA.

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:21:31 +0000

Ben, my understanding is that if a production is all AFTRA they will likely go on, if it’s all SAG I figure it stops. I’m not sure if any shows are both, but perhaps someone in the industry can enlighten us.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:18:54 +0000

So what happens if one union strikes and the other one doesn’t? Half of production resumes for half the actors or it all stops?

By: Joe Cool

Joe Cool — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:33:01 +0000

Maybe Hollywood will ask The Messiah for a bailout once he takes office? Its too big to fail!

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:12:50 +0000

TVbytheNumbers commenting axiom:

Every comment by R.G. must include some negative reference to the show “Dancing with the Stars”

By: clutz12001

clutz12001 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:54:34 +0000

Hmmm, I hadn’t connected the NBC Jay Leno move to the SAG strike until now. True, that’s a very big warning for anyone in scripted entertainment.

By: R.G.

R.G. — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:51:39 +0000

I think the entertainment industry needs to look around them and count their blessings that their pay isn’t cut back or jobs are being eliminated…

Give us all a break – be thankful most of you have jobs including the ones that “pretend” they’re stars and get to dance on national TV in Circus outfits.