An Impressive Guide to Writers and Actors

For the first time in more than 60 years, unions representing actors and Hollywood writers are striking at the same time to protest lower pay and the studio’s proposals to use artificial intelligence tools in production. More than 175,000 union members are out of work until a settlement is reached.

But the effects of the strikes are reaching another group as well: influencers and digital content creators who are far from household names but work in an industry that is sometimes synonymous with fast-track fame. Most of them are non-union influencers, leading to confusion. How can producers keep making money when their peers in Hollywood are on strike? What rules do they have to follow? What is his role in all this?

This guide will break down the main points to know about strikes and address some of the most common questions raised by influencers.

What type of work is prohibited for striking workers?

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) is a group representing hundreds of studios, including the major studios: Disney, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Apple, Netflix, Amazon and many others.

Striking workers from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are prohibited from working for companies that are on the other side of the negotiation. for the actors, Involved Explicit tasks: Acting and voice acting, singing and performing stunts, but they are also prohibited from behind-the-scenes work such as makeup tests, sitting in for rehearsals and auditions. Meanwhile, writers can’t hold meetings, pitch, or polish scripts, among other things, (Disclosure: ledgeThe editorial staff is also unionized with the Writers Guild of America, East.)

The workers will continue to stop their labor until a settlement is reached between the two parties. Conversations cover complex, serious industry issues, such as the actors’ case surprisingly low residual earnings In the age of streaming and studios’ ability to collect and reuse actors’ likenesses through generic AI tools.

The biggest point of confusion for influencers and creators is the question of promoting work by influencers – something actors and writers do, but it is increasingly being outsourced to content creators. Notable artists and authors will not do press and promotion such as interviews, podcast appearances and promoting notable work on social media.

Will studios hire other people to promote movies and TV shows?

Yes, and it is already happening. Some influencers have shared tales about being offered deals to create content on behalf of influencer companies.

In a video, TikTok creator @f0r3st.witch said he was offered $5,000 to create content for a “household name movie franchise”, which he turned down.

“Because of the actors strike these studios are really already so desperate for people to promote their stuff,” @f0r3st.witch said in the clip, “They are reaching out to influencers and content creators of all levels to motivate them to go against the strike.”

Promotion does not even mean exchanging money for content. SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland says the union has heard of influencers inviting influencers to premieres, offering to pay for their travel expenses, or arranging special clothing for them to wear. It is less common to hire influencers to take roles that might otherwise have gone to an actor.

I am not in the union that is on strike. Do I have to follow these rules?

Non-union influencers and content creators don’t need following any of these guidelines. But it may be in their own best interests for affected companies to follow the rules of the strike in addition to the ethical question of labor – what is called “hit work”.

It is no longer an anomaly for digital content creators to make the jump to TV and film later in their careers: for example, Quinta Brunson rose from posting comedy videos online and working on buzzfeed To write a hit sitcom in just a few years. Brunson is now on strike.

SAG-AFTRA represents influential people In addition to more traditional types of performers under a special agreement. And if an influencer or creator has any ambitions to branch out in the future, chances are they will either want to join an association or even be required to become a member in order to participate in presentations.

SAG-AFTRA has already said that actions such as promoting stalled work will be impactful barred from joining the union, It’s not even an empty promise: SAG has Strikebreakers were investigated and banned in the past and asks members to report Whoever they see doing this work.

How does SAG-AFTRA define “influencer”?

The association is thinking of “influencers” as a self-defined group, much like actors – someone who records themselves acting in a role and then uploads the video to Instagram can be identified as an actor, even if they aren’t making money that way. Crabtree-Ireland says it’s not a prerequisite that someone is making money by posting online.

“If you are someone who thinks of himself as – or wants to present himself as – an influencer or content creator who is putting out content that aims to promote these projects and bring general attention to them So that’s really where the line is drawn,” Crabtree-Ireland says.

Crabtree-Ireland says SAG-AFTRA is making a solidarity appeal to content creators because she believes the cast’s fight will resonate with them. He says influencers and actors have a shared interest in protecting the creative works and ensuring that technology is not used in their place.

“Content creators and influencers are very talented people. That’s why they have followings, says Crabtree-Ireland — they create some of the most interesting and engaging content on those platforms. “This request … really shows respect for what they are doing and accomplishing.”

If you’re still unsure where you fit in, you can email SAG-AFTRA with questions at Influencer@sagaftra.org.

Can influencers share organic (unpaid) content about what influencer companies produce?

SAG-AFTRA is asking influencers not to share unpaid content about productions affected. Crabtree-Ireland says that actors are usually not paid to do promotional work, although it may be in their contract – “It’s rarely paid for separately,” he says.

Let’s say you are an influencer whose content consists of videos promoting upcoming movies. If you think you might want to join a union or stand in solidarity with striking workers in the future, you need to go ahead. This also applies if you are, say, a fashion influencer and want to make a get-together video with me about getting started barbie,

But ledge and other news outlets are reviewing the affected operations.

Reviews and coverage from news organizations are not the same as what an influencer might post – journalists don’t work for studios and producers and don’t accept payment for coverage.

is there any work to be done can do What to do during strike?

influencer Still others can create self-made sponsored content for non-influenced companies. SAG-AFTRA also says that if a producer has an existing contract to promote the affected work, they must fulfill it – they cannot enter into any new deals with the affected companies.

I’m just a fan, not an influencer. Can I still talk about my favorite shows? on tiktok or post me barbie Dress?

SAG-AFTRA hasn’t called for a boycott — it doesn’t have to stop fans from canceling memberships, refusing to go to movie theaters, or sharing their opinions online. If you’re a regular-shmeglare person going to see a movie this weekend, by all means, let your friends know what you think.