In the realm of news items I hope to end with this single story, the Screen Actors Guild’s decision to go to the actors for support on a vote to strike ranks right up there with hearing The Office is changing formats to become more like Grey’s Anatomy. SAG sat down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers after their contract expired on June 30th, and the result was no budging by either side.
I’ve got a sense of déjà vu here. Wasn’t there something about a strike a year ago? I can’t really remember because I was too busy reenacting 24 as a one man show in my living room for the first half of 2008. According to TV Guide the niggling issue is once again compensation over work reused or made for the Internet. I said it a year ago, and it holds even truer now that Hulu has gained popularity, the AMPTP needs to recognize the viability of the internet as a Television delivery tool.
Just a year ago the actors were affected by the Writer’s Strike, and there’s little chance a strike will actually happen this time. But there is the issue of these actors, who should be compensated for all the work they do no matter where distributed, being kicked around because everyone is scared of a strike. The AMPTP is in a powerful negotiating position because fans will not be willing to accept a strike two years in a row. Essentially all but the most ridiculously popular shows would have a coffin waiting for them upon return.
SAG requires more than 75 percent of its members in order for a strike to be approved; the decision to go ahead is in the hands of the national board.
