SAG strike news: Universal Studios accused of pruning trees to remove shade for picketing actors and writers

Los Angeles picketers are scattered between several studio lots

‘No contracts, no peace’: Actors stage demonstration in New York

Universal Studios has been accused of trimming the trees that lined its studio lot and provided shade for striking actors and writers.

On Monday (17 July), following the first weekend of the historic Hollywood shutdown, comic Chris Stephens tweeted a photo showing the bare trees.

“Quick shoutout to the good people at @UniversalPics for trimming the trees that gave our picket line shade right before a 90+ degree week,” Stephens wrote.

SAG-AFTRA negotiators unanimously recommended a strike after talks with the AMPTP broke down last week.

Additionally, the Writers Guild of America has been on strike since early May. Both groups demand increases in base pay and residuals in the streaming TV era, plus assurances that their work will not be replaced by AI.

Fran Drescher, former star of The Nanny and SAG president, said studios’ responses to the actors’ concerns had been “insulting and disrespectful”.

In light of the historic double strike, several actors and writers have shared personal horror stories of Hollywood studio greed.

Meanwhile, Disney CEO Bob Iger condemned the threatened strike action as “very disruptive” at the “worst time” as well as calling the expectations of writers and actors “not realistic”.

Key points

• Hollywood in historic shutdown as actors join writers in strike action
• George Clooney and Jessica Chastain lead A-listers backing historic Hollywood actors strike
• Oppenheimer cast walk out of UK premiere in ‘solidarity’ with actors’ strike
• Bob Iger complains actors’ union is threatening to join writers strike at ‘worst time’
• Blade to Yellowjackets: Every TV show and movie affected by historic Hollywood actors and writers’ strike

[19 July 2023 04:00 · Inga Parkel]

When will the actors’ strike end?

Following the Screen Actors Guild’s (SAG-AFTRA) recent decision to join the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in the strike against studios – which has effectively shut down Hollywood – there’s been a significant question looming overhead: How long will this last?

Read more:

Hollywood Strikes (AP)

When will the actors’ strike end?

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said actors’ union is ‘looking for the long haul’

[19 July 2023 10:10 · Peony Hirwani]

These movie and TV stars are sharing ‘appalling’ pay stories to explain the historic Hollywood strike

As actors and screenwriters join in the fight for fair wages and higher streaming residuals, Inga Parkel reports on the stars sharing stories that speak to the importance of the strike.

[19 July 2023 10:45 · Peony Hirwani]

This isn't the first time Hollywood's been on strike. Here's how past strikes turned out

[19 July 2023 11:15 · Peony Hirwani]

SAG-AFTRA approves 39 Indie projects to shoot during strike

SAG-AFTRA has granted approval to 39 independent productions to shoot during the strike, after confirming that they are not tied to AMPTP companies.

The list includes two projects from A24, the independent production company: Mother Mary, starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel, and Death of a Unicorn, starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, which is set to begin shooting soon in Hungary.

The projects also include The Rivals of Amziah King, starring Matthew McConaughey, Flight Risk, starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Mel Gibson, Dust Bunny starring Mads Mikkelsen and Sigourney Weaver, Bride Hard with Rebel Wilson, and The Chosen, a TV series about the life of Jesus.

[19 July 2023 11:45 · Peony Hirwani]

Bob Odenkirk shares message of encouragement for strikers

[19 July 2023 12:15 · Peony Hirwani]

An LA food bank is feeding striking writers and actors for free

An LA-based food bank named World Harvest is reportedly offering free groceries to striking SAG-AFTRA and WGA members.

The owner of the food bank Glen Curado described the initiative as “all you can eat”, adding that WGA and SAG-AFTRA members who present their membership card to the World Harvest Food Bank get the green light to fill a grocery cart with whatever is on the shelves.

Curado began offering union members free groceries on Saturday last week, the day after SAG-AFTRA officially joined the WGA on the picket lines in the first double strike to hit Hollywood in 63 years.

[19 July 2023 13:45 · Nicole Vassell]

WATCH: The moment SAG-AFTRA joined writers in strike action, shutting down Hollywood

[19 July 2023 14:15 · Nicole Vassell]

Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick speak out about their reason for striking

Actors and writers have joined picket lines on both coasts of the United States in protest of working conditions and pay in Hollywood.

In a video captured by Deadline, married actors Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick speak out against studios while picketing in New York City.

“The studios have been making a lot of free money for a really long time, and the time for that to come to an end is now,” Sedgwick stated.