Dia Dipasupil

Cobra Kai. American Horror Story. Jeopardy! All of these shows have something in common: all of their productions have been put on hold due to the striking workers of the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
Writers of SAG-AFTRA working under film and television contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have been striking since May 2, 2023, and they were joined by actors on July 14, 2023. Striking began after the AMPTP rejected a SAG-AFTRA suggestion that a third party, outside of the corporation and the union, judge the success of a show and decide how residual payments are made to writers and performers based on that success.
Actors are also striking over possible AI threats to their work. Digital re-creations of actors which portray performances they did not give have become a threat if exploited, and SAG-AFTRA seeks to ensure that AI is not misused and that the recreated actors are compensated fairly for the use of their likenesses.
During the strike, actors in most commercials, talk shows, and soap operas are not affected. Movies and shows with big names such as Anne Hathaway, Paul Rudd, and Jenna Ortega have been permitted to continue production. Independent films and television shows separate from studios under the AMPTP are also allowed to keep filming if granted a special waiver by the SAG-AFTRA union.
Even though it may be a disappointment to consumers looking forward to new seasons of their favorite shows or the next installment of their favorite cinematic universe, this strike is important for the creators and actors that consumers rely upon for this content. The SAG-AFTRA strike is meant to ensure that these artists receive fair compensation for their work, and so that they can continue to share their art with everyone else.