5 SAG-AFTRA Strike Rules That May Surprise You
Acting isn't the only thing Hollywood stars are barred from doing during the SAG-AFTRA strike. After the union, which represents about 160,000 members, and the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers) failed to reach an agreement on a new contract, SAG-AFTRA declared that they were going on strike starting July 14.
The notice and order to guild members came with a list of rules that members must follow throughout the strike. Those who violate the points "shall be subject to discipline consistent with the SAG-AFTRA Constitution," according to the union, and penalties "may include censure, reprimand, fine, suspension, and/or expulsion."
While any work covered by the TV/Theatrical Contracts is not allowed, you may be surprised to learn what else SAG-AFTRA members are prohibited from doing while striking.
5 SAG-AFTRA strike rules that may surprise you
1. Actors can't tweet or post about their movies and TV shows
Apart from not being allowed to give interviews to promote "services on behalf of an AMPTP company," the strike forbids SAG-AFTRA members from promoting struck work and struck companies on their social media. So don't expect to see more fun Oppenheimer posts from Robert Downey Jr.
2. Actors can't participate in fan meet-and-greets for struck work
Guild members are unable to partake in conventions "on behalf of, or to promote" companies that they are striking. According to SAG-AFTRA, that includes promotional appearances, panels and fan meet-and-greets involving struck work. This means no actors at San Diego Comic-Con, which is scheduled to kick off on July 20.
Related: Hollywood Actors Strike—What the Shutdown Means for the Entertainment Industry
3. Actors can't accept awards for roles in a struck production
While members are encouraged to "honor any contractual commitments to work on an award show, such as in the capacity of hosting or performing in a skit," they are not allowed to attend award ceremonies to promote a struck project, nor accept an award for their performance in a struck production. This rule, of course, could affect the date of the 2023 Emmys, which is currently scheduled to take place on Sept. 18.
Related: Every Show That Has Gone Dark Due to the Writers' Strike
4. Actors will have to wait to find their next gig
During the strike, actors cannot audition or interview for roles with a company they are striking. This also includes auditioning via self-tape.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 Writers' Strike
5. Actors can't complete any principal on-camera work, which includes more than just acting
Not only are SAG-AFTRA members forbidden to act, sing or dance on camera for the duration of the strike, but they are also told not to puppeteer, pilot "on-camera aircraft" or perform stunts. Something tells us Tom Cruise might be bummed about the latter rule. A month before the SAG-AFTRA strike, Deadline reported that production on Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two, starring Cruise, was expected to resume later this summer following promotion for the first installment, which premiered in theaters July 12.
Next, What Can Actors Still Do During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA Strike?
