Los Angeles might be in a major film meltdown, but The Chosen has announced that it has received an approval to keep its camera rolling.
The actors’ strike centers on a dispute over compensation, especially in light of an industry-wide shift toward streaming that has changed the way performers receive residuals, or royalty payments.
Hollywood actors went on strike last Friday, at midnight California time, after negotiations between their union and motion picture studios collapsed, a serious blow for the entertainment industry that could cripple film and TV productions across the U.S.
The last walkout by actors against major TV and film studios was in 1980, when they struck over wage issues and profits from the technology of the time: videocassettes and videodiscs.
Essentially, actors are being hit in the way musicians were when music moved from the CD to digital. And they and their unions are not happy.
However, The Chosen, whose actors are not connected to the Hollywood unions, has been allowed to continue filming. This is a massive boost for the film, as the cost of having actors sitting around, and away from home, could be enough to bankrupt a smaller studio.
Important update from Dallas on the Screen Actor’s Guild strike, which starts tonight:
Unfortunately, despite the requested work we did on our end, an exemption for us will not be granted in time to avoid a shutdown. We will do a little filming tomorrow of everything that (1/2)— The Chosen (@thechosentv) July 14, 2023
As the Angel Studios- donor-funded group stated in a further update, “To be clear: 1. We’ve agreed to all of SAG’s requests and their interim agreement. 2. Season 4 is entirely independent and 100% funded by donations.
The unions and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) has been unable to stop production, given the actors are not tied to the unions.
Succession star Brian Cox says the Hollywood strike could last until end of 2023 and actors may have to ‘go to the brink’. Hit TV shows and big-budget films could be stalled as an estimated 160,000 Hollywood actors and performers begin a walkout – and it’s unclear when it might end.
Update: Great news! We just received word from SAG that we have been approved for a waiver. We’ll continue shooting on Monday.
— The Chosen (@thechosentv) July 16, 2023
Matthias Browning
Matthias Browning | Reporter
»
