Hollywood at a Standstill
The entertainment industry came to a halt in May 2023 when the Writers Guild of America (WGA) initiated a strike, following a labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The AMPTP represents major industry players like Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, and others. This strike was soon joined by the SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) strike in July 2023, which further paralyzed Hollywood, bringing most productions to a grinding stop.
Exceptions to the Rule
While many productions were forced to press pause, some movies were given the green light to continue filming. These films had their scripts finalized before the strike took place, allowing them to proceed without violating the terms of the strike. The key factor for these movies was that they had completed the scriptwriting stage before the WGA strike began.
SAG-AFTRA’s Guidelines
In light of the dual strikes, SAG-AFTRA issued guidelines outlining which projects could continue filming. According to the union, actors are prohibited from working on most film and TV productions, including attending premieres or participating in promotional activities. This includes not being able to engage in any on-camera or off-camera work, such as stunt work, motion capture, stand-ins, camera tests, and even background work. Those who hope to join SAG-AFTRA in the future must also adhere to these rules to avoid jeopardizing their union membership.
Interim Agreements: A Path Forward
However, there’s a way for some productions to continue working: an Interim Agreement. These agreements are granted to films and TV shows that are not produced by AMPTP member studios and agree to follow union guidelines. Additionally, projects that meet low-budget criteria can also receive approval to keep filming.
Projects Approved for Filming
As of August 2023, SAG-AFTRA confirmed that they would not allow deals for titles covered by WGA contracts if those films are produced in the United States. Nonetheless, several films and TV shows have received permission to proceed with production under the Interim Agreement, and the list of these projects continues to grow.
Among the ongoing projects are movies like The Killer’s Game, Wildcat, The Watchers, and Don’t Move, along with many others across various genres. These films are allowed to continue production as long as they comply with SAG-AFTRA’s terms.
Looking Ahead
The entertainment industry is in an unprecedented situation, with most productions halted due to the dual strikes. However, thanks to the Interim Agreement, a select number of projects are able to continue filming. As the strike continues, it remains to be seen which other projects will be able to move forward under these conditions. For now, the focus remains on resolving the ongoing labor disputes that have shaken Hollywood to its core.