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After a gruelling four-month strike that brought the entertainment industry to a standstill, actors in the United States are set to resume work following an agreement between the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and TV Producers (AMPTP). The deal, reached in a unanimous vote, marks a significant victory for actors who have been demanding better pay and safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in productions.
Sag-Aftra President Fran Drescher expressed her excitement on social media, stating, “We did it!!!!” She thanked union members for their resilience, calling the deal historic. The agreement, valued at more than $1 billion (N803 billion), includes increases in minimum salaries, a new “streaming participation” bonus, and crucial protections against the replication of actors’ images and voices through AI technology.
Actors across Hollywood welcomed the news with relief and joy. Zac Efron, attending the premiere of his wrestling film The Iron Claw, described the deal as “incredible,” while his co-star Jeremy Allen White, from TV drama The Bear, expressed amazement upon learning the strike was over during an interview on the red carpet.
Oscar winner Octavia Spencer shared her excitement on social media, stating, “Who else is dancing right now??? Ready to work now that the strike is over! Congratulations and thank you to our @sagaftra negotiating committee!” Actress Jamie Lee Curtis echoed the sentiment, emphasising that “perseverance pays off,” and This Is Us star Mandy Moore urged fellow actors to return to work, expressing gratitude to the union negotiators for their efforts.
The strike’s impact reverberated globally, delaying major film releases and disrupting productions worldwide. Films such as Blade, Dune: Part Two, and Fantastic Four faced significant delays, affecting not only Hollywood but also international industries, including the UK. The strike’s economic toll on California is estimated to be over $6.5 billion (£5.3 billion) so far.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass welcomed the resolution, acknowledging the strikes’ widespread impact on millions in Los Angeles and beyond. Although high-profile actors command significant earnings, the strikes highlighted the challenges faced by lesser-known performers in an industry undergoing rapid changes amid rising inflation. With the strikes officially ending, Hollywood gears up for a resumption of work, and the entertainment world anticipates a revival after months of disruption.
Kiki Garba
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