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Once it was announced that SAG-AFTRA was joining the WGA in striking against studios associated with the AMPTP, there immediately became an issue with how the strike was to be supported by a group of individuals that may not have been initially considered as an issue, influencers.
New Precedence in a New Era
The last time that the WGA and SAG had officially initiated a strike together was back in the 1960’s with an outcome that awarded the unions fairer wages for the era as well as residuals on work that they participated in. This allowed that members could still garner pay for movies and television that went into syndication even many years after the chief production had finished.
Similarly, one of the main causes of this new strike is also regarding residuals and how that benefit has been threatened by the advent of streaming services that often hides analytics of streaming habits. With lack of data Studios avoid paying out a proper evaluation to the writers and actors that will often be paid very little and often nothing at all for properties that are often popular on such platforms.
Another Chief concern is the treatment of background actors. Background actors are often union members that must work in other occupations to sustain themselves while striving to participate in the industry that they love while only being paid $150-250 per day, work not being guaranteed. These people are also unable to meet the income threshold of $25,000 per year to qualify for benefits under the contract.
If lack of income, benefits, and advancement were enough, studios would seek to employ AI to scan said background actors to use at their discretion without providing any compensation. This coupled with recent use on major actors (i.e., Mark Hamill’s likeness and voice portrayed in Season 2 of Mandalorian without Hamill’s participation), AI needs to be addressed for what it’s part will be in the industry and what can be done to prevent talent from losing employment to it. The WGA has also voiced concerns with wanting assurances of content not being written or rewritten by AI.
The last complaint is the process of self-tape auditions that has become an industry within itself. Actors that would once go to a studio that was rented by casting to audition for a role, but now must film themselves and submit video to casting. Where this may sound convenient, and just another result of post-pandemic precautions, it passes the cost of casting on to the actors. It also creates an unfair dynamic, where well-funded actors have an advantage as they can pay more for higher quality footage and recording space.
You can follow the hyperlinks to view the list of grievances from both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA.
What do Content Creators have to do with the strike?
As of July 13th, when SAG-AFTRA announced they were joining the WGA in beginning their work stoppage, a myriad of misinformation began to be posted throughout social media.
The role of an influencer/content creator did not exist when these two unions last joined forces. Influencers have become more present in promotions of motion picture studios and have found a market promoting movies and television on social media. Many influencers are even contracted and paid to perform such functions. From receiving promotional boxes, being asked to make content on social media, or being present on the red carpets, influencers share duties that SAG members have in promotions.
It wasn’t until three days after the official SAG-AFTRA strike commenced that an FAQ for Influencers even appeared on their site…and still, many influencers fail to see their contribution to the success of failure to what the WGA and SAG are trying to do.
This Doesn’t affect me!
Influencers have been asked not to take on new contracts and not make promotional content either paid or organic, and many are choosing to ignore this request using the reasoning that they are not members of the union, or ever hope to become members of the unions, and thus strikebreaking (aka. SCAB) activity does not apply to them. There is a very present danger that this mentality holds for the future of influencer culture, that needs to be considered.
Influencers did not exist when last the WGA and SAG-AFTRA went on strike and negotiated for fairer wages.
Now, influencers may be considered a threat to union members in the industry and with future bargaining, unions may request that influencers be limited or removed from places that influencers often enjoy benefit in participating in promotions. The unions are watching, and they are observing who are allies to their cause, if they feel threatened enough, they will do what is best to protect themselves.
What should we do?
You may ask, what as an influencer should I do? There is a simple answer, follow the union’s requests and stand as an ally for their cause.
The unions are seeking fair living wages for their members, but their work also helps protect many from being taken advantage of before they consider joining. As unfair as conditions are considered, they are far better than would be if the unions had never forced the industry to the table to make progress. Influencers can align themselves with the hard-working members of the industry and show in solidarity that they are not alone. As the influencer FAQ states avoid making content for struck companies (studios) until this strike is over. This is a chance to temporarily change content direction, try new things, and be an ally to a great number of amazing talented individuals striving to make things better for everyone.
Nerd Initiative has chosen to stand with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA in solidarity by not publishing content promoting anything associated with the AMPTP until they have agreed to meet these unions and make an agreement, allowing the strike to be ended.
