After almost four months of strike, actors and film studios reached an agreement in principle. However, this does not mean that the shooting of films and series immediately continues at full speed. We will have to wait another six months for that.
However, the agreement in principle - which both sides say includes broad provisions - means that labor strikes in the film and TV industry are coming to an end. Soon, tens of thousands of workers in the entertainment sector could return to work, and popular series such as "Deadpool", "Abbott Elementary" and "The Last of Us" will return to the big and small screens.
Hollywood loves a happy ending. And the deal to end the actors' strike could provide that - although there is still the chance of new episodes of the strike in the coming months.
A few more steps to the end
Banners have been packed away, and actors are no longer protesting in the streets in front of major studios. However, there are a few steps that need to be taken before the deal becomes official. The national board of SAG-AFTRA (Society of Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) will review the deal, and if it approves, it will then be voted on by all union members.
When Hollywood screenwriters reached their deal with film producers and studios in September, their association allowed them to continue working even before the deal was fully ratified.
Historical provisions in the contract
The exact terms of the deal won't be announced until the end of the week, but a few key elements are known. The union says the deal is worth more than $1 billion and they've reached an "incredibly broad agreement" that includes wage increases, AI protections and a new "streaming participation bonus."
Studio negotiators say the contract contains "historic provisions." The Motion Picture and Television Producers Guild said the companies have given SAG-AFTRA the biggest concessions in union history, including the largest minimum wage increase in 40 years, a new payment system for streaming series and movies, and guarantees of compensation when using character-based artificial intelligence. and actors' voices.
What comes first?
The strike stopped the shooting of the third part of the movie "Deadpool" with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, as well as the shooting of the continuation of "Gladiator" by Ridley Scott. These are probably some of the first films where production will continue.
After the writers' strike ended, work continued on series such as "Abbott Elementary," "The White Lotus" and "Yellowjackets." Therefore, they will probably be among the first to return to the small screen, as soon as their actors are given the green light to continue working.
Working on television is, of course, faster than on films, where after the filming is finished, there is a long process of editing and promoting the film.
In recent weeks, several other series and films have announced that they will postpone their release - the final episodes of the series "Yellowstone" with Kevin Costner will not air until next November, and the premiere of the new film in the series "Mission: Impossible" has been delayed.
What are the consequences of the strike?
Actors will again be able to talk to journalists about their work, and glamorous premieres will continue.
Films like "Killers of the Flower Moon" and "Marvels" -- which hits U.S. theaters this week -- have been promoted without their leads. The strike prohibits actors from promoting films for major studios, which prevented Leonardo DiCaprio, Brie Larson and many other stars from giving interviews to the media.
Some projects were granted an exemption, such as Michael Mann's drama Ferrari. It allowed actors Adam Driver and Patrick Dempsey to attend the Venice Film Festival - and Dempsey was able to give an interview to People magazine, who named him the "Sexiest Man Alive".
As Hollywood enters awards season, one can expect glamorous red carpet ceremonies and numerous star interviews.
Due to the writers' and actors' strike, the TV Emmy Awards have been moved from September to January, and will now join the Grammys, the awards given by the actors' association themselves to their colleagues, and the Oscars in the traditional Hollywood awards season, between January 15 and 10. March. It is still uncertain what will happen to the Golden Globes, which are trying to reform themselves after several years of scandals, but do not yet have a partner among American broadcasters.
What after two big strikes?
Another strike by actors is possible - this time by those who star in video games. Their contract negotiations are ongoing, but the strike is allowed.
Actors in video games perform a variety of jobs - from voice dubbing to stunt work. And they are concerned about the use of artificial intelligence in their industry.
In 2024, the studios will also negotiate with the workers - set designers and their union - the International Association of Set Designers. From building sets, to lighting and effects, members of that union are key to film and TV production. They were hard hit by the interruption of filming and came outside the film studios to support the actors and screenwriters.
One of the key elements behind the actors' and screenwriters' strike was the disruption in their industry caused by streaming, which could be a key element in the set designer's negotiations as well.
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