What Can Actors Still Do During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA Strike?
Hollywood actors have gone on strike. With SAG-AFTRA declaring a strike against studios and streamers, a strike order and notice was issued to all guild members instructing them to "cease rendering all services and performing all work covered by the TV/Theatrical Contracts."
However, not all SAG-AFTRA members will be impacted by the union's rules due to different contracts. In fact, some television programs won't be affected by the strike, which officially began on July 14, at all.(at least not in the direct sense).
Continue reading to learn about some of the surprising work that is allowed during the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Related: Hollywood Actors Strike: What the Shutdown Means for the Entertainment Industry
What is still allowed during the SAG strike?
Soap actors can continue working
While SAG-AFTRA members performing work covered by the TV/Theatrical Contracts cannot do principal on camera work (e.g. acting, singing, dancing and stunts), soap actors are allowed to continue working during the strike since they work under the Network Code.
Related: Days of our Lives Gets Surprising News Ahead of 60th Season
Reality and game shows won't be going anywhere
Like soap operas, the Network Code includes reality shows and game shows, meaning that guild members can work under that SAG-AFTRA contract. The Young and the Restless, Jeopardy, The Voice and So You Think You Can Dance were some of the shows listed as programs covered by the contract in 2022. Variety shows and talks shows are also part of the Network Code; however, the late night talk shows and Saturday Night Live have been on hiatus since the writers' strike began in May.
Podcast hosting is permitted
Although actors cannot make podcast appearances to promote struck work, SAG members under the Independent Podcast Agreement and Micro-Monetized Podcast Agreement are allowed to continue podcast hosting and conducting scripted performances for podcasts. SAG-AFTRA noted that, in general, podcasts "covered by the SAG-AFTRA Podcast Agreement are not affected by a strike of the TV/Theatrical Contracts" and "podcasts produced by companies that are not part of the AMPTP are not affected by a strike of the TV/Theatrical Contracts."
Influencers can keep on influencing
During the strike, SAG members are not permitted to promote struck work or struck companies on their social media, but that doesn't mean they have to stop posting all together. Members under the Influencer Agreement can still create sponsored content and promote brands. Per SAG-AFTRA, the "Influencer Agreement only covers content made for digital distribution on the Influencer’s and/or advertiser's own website, social media and YouTube channels."
Broadcasters won't be striking
SAG-AFTRA not only represent actors, but also broadcast journalists and media professionals, who fall under Station Contracts and Broadcast News Contracts. Those guild members are not affected by the strike.
The shows will go on on Broadway
The lights won't be going dark on Broadway. According to Deadline, the strike "will not impact Broadway productions" and "SAG-AFTRA members who appear on Broadway operate under Equity contracts, with actors typically having dual memberships in the unions."
Related: Every Show That Has Gone Dark Due to the Writers' Strike
Commercials are cool
Though acting under the TV/Theatrical Contracts is barred, it is allowed under the Commercials Contracts. Work covered by the Commercials Contracts and Audio Commercials Contracts, which includes radio, TV and digital commercials, in addition to infomercials and jingles, is among the non-struck work.
Some promotion is acceptable
While promoting struck work is prohibited throughout the strike, SAG members can promote themselves "as an artist, a fashion icon, a union activist, a Commercial actor, and a proud SAG-AFTRA member." SAG-AFTRA pointed out that the "Commercials Agreement, Influencer Agreement, and Podcast Agreements, among others, are not affected" by the strike, so members are able to work under them.
Next, Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 Writers Strike
