WGA on Strike

The Scene at the SAG/AFTRA and WGA Picket Line Outside of Netflix

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

After joining the union members of SAG/AFTRA and WGA, still on strike for a fair contract from producers, in front of Paramount Studios, I joined them again outside of Netflix, Sunset Bronson Studios and KTLA Channel 5 studios on July 27, 2023. It was a scorcher of a day as the temperature got up to ninety degrees, but the union members remained determined to march on, and the strike captains did their best to keep everyone safe and, most importantly, hydrated.

Like that day at Paramount, there was a great feeling of solidarity on display as both SAG/AFTRA and WGA remain united in this strike. At the same time, I also felt the increasing tension between members and the studios as the need for a fair contract felt more intense than ever before. The strike captains were on their bullhorns getting everyone to say, “What do we want? A Fair Contract! When do we want it? NOW!” Well, it was either “now” or “yesterday,” and everyone clearly prefers that this fair contract would have arrived yesterday. Suffice to say, this strike is far from over.

There were no big Hollywood stars on the picket line this day, and one man was holding a sign which said, “Where is Quentin Tarantino?” But once again, this is about the working-class actors and writers, those who just want to make a healthy living. Keep in mind, not everyone in show business wants to be famous like Brad Pitt or George Clooney. In fact, a lot of my friends who are actors are fearful of being a movie star. They would rather be one of those character actors we see in every other movie or television show we watch on a regular basis.

Kudos goes out to Voyage Real Estate whose employees went out of their way to pass out cold bottles of water, and for bringing out the Fluff Ice catering truck which gave everyone free ice shavings. Big thanks to the strike captains who kept everyone safe and in line, and for encouraging us to stay hydrated. Like they said, this corporate greed has got to go!

The video above also has some websites where you can make donations to those union members in need.

WRITER’S NOTE: For the record, I am not currently a member of SAG/AFTRA or the WGA. This video was not endorsed by either union.

Walking the WGA and SAG/AFTRA Picket Line at Paramount Studios

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

On July 20, 2023, I did something I had been meaning to do for a long time: walk the picket line alongside members of the Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG/AFTRA). Both unions are in a furious labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) as streaming has forever changed the landscape of entertainment. The residual deals many actors and writers previously enjoyed are no longer such a thing, and streaming services have not been quick to give out the numbers of viewers or streams their programs have received thus far. Also, with artificial intelligence (AI) on the rise, many careers threaten to be rendered obsolete as those with all the money keep finding new ways to eliminate the human equation. Plus, when you compare the amount of money someone like Bob Iger makes to the average worker, one cannot help but be infuriated by the infinite corporate greed on display. As John Carpenter once said, the 1980’s never left us.

Signing up to walk in the picket line was very easy, and you do not have to be a member of either union to participate. Considering the continued divide between the haves and the have nots and the dangers posed by AI, I encourage you to participate as the technology itself poses dangers not just to acting and writing careers, but to careers in other fields as well. Clearly, many people still need to watch the first two “Terminator” movies to understand what happens when AI becomes self-aware.

It was a privilege to be walking with these people, union and non-union alike, along Melrose Avenue outside of Paramount. It quickly became clear to me of how everybody was looking out for one another, and this was great considering the hot temperatures we are currently enduring. The temperature reached up to around ninety degrees at one point, and there was only so much shade we could hide in. Paramount does not have any Ficus tress outside their studios, but if they did have any, they would already have had them trimmed.

Big applause goes out to the strike captains who made sure everyone was safe and kept everyone in line, and to all those who donated food, water, snacks and tons on sunscreen for us to utilize. You can never wear enough sunscreen on a day like this. I also have to say how much I appreciated everyone crossed the street both safely and legally. These days in Los Angeles, no one seems to know how to cross the friggin’ street anymore.

With the video I shot and edited above, I wanted to show the harmony of the strikers on display as this event has brought Los Angelenos together in ways I have not seen outside of the LA Marathon. Also, this video shows how everyone was looking out for one another, and how everybody was respectful of the rules set out for them. These visuals really do speak for themselves more than words can. Granted, writers can say a lot about the strike too, but we need to pay them more first.

If you are interested in helping out in the strike or want to make a donation, please visit the following websites by clicking down below:

Writers Guild of America

SAG/AFTRA

Motion Picture & Television Fund

Entertainment Community Fund

WGA on Strike

WRITER’S NOTE: For the record, I am not currently a member of the WGA or SAG/AFTRA. This video is my creation alone and is not endorsed by either union or any other organization.