[UPDATE 7/17/23: The project is back on! Whew! The director and management got approval from SAG to proceed during the strike. Whew!]
Original post:
Add this to the list of things I never thought I’d be saying one day: The SAG-AFTRA strike has shut down the movie I’m working on this summer. That is the current update on this project I’ve been so excited about. The law junkie in me wants to know how an organization (SAG) can enter a formal agreement for a movie project, knowing in less than a month, it is going to essentially pull the rug out from under the project by prohibiting its members from reporting for work. It happened quickly. One day I was splitting my time between the wardrobe room where I helped fit, repair and modify historical costumes; and …
… standing by on the movie set with sewing items in hand for quick fixes.
Then the next morning I woke to network news stories about the SAG-AFTRA strike. There were video clips of Hollywood A-Listers coming out to support ‘the cause’. When I arrived at our little set, they called all of us into a meeting, and the director told us the project was on hold. The room was full of stunned workers and volunteers of all ages. One of the producers led a prayer. It was that kind of emotion. There were sniffles all around the room. Now we wait.
The thing is, I support in general what unions are supposed to accomplish for their workers. But the collateral damage, wowza. Don’t get me started. Anyway, I hope my next update will be that the project has been given the go-ahead to proceed in spite of the strike. And hopefully that will be coming soon; as soon as this week.
run | sew | read 
I’ve heard about this combined strike, in terms of how long ago the last one was…1960. When entertainment comes to a screeching halt, the whole world noticed.
I hope you go back to work, soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. When I first heard about the possible strike, I was naive to think our smaller, remote project wouldn’t be affected.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah. This appears BIG.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, unfortunately.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw this not long back…I didn’t even think about it affecting filming outside of Hollywood but yes the same thing. Hope it ends soon!
It’s like when baseball or other sports go on strike…the people that really get hurt bad are the concession stand workers, ticket takers, and all the other people that work in the business…I would imagine it’s the same for this also.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, it’s similar to the sports strikes. Scores of innocent, hardworking people are hurt immeasurably by people trying to get back at someone else for being treated unfairly. There ought to be a better way, and we ought to have figured it out by now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always gett pissed about the baseball strikes. My solution is not practical and probably against the law…no it IS against the law…lock them in a room until something is done. You would see things happen much quicker.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If they just had to compensate all the people who they harm in the process of striking, things would also get resolved much quicker.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! That is a great answer and unlike mine…Legal!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your answer got me there. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been meaning to ask you..since the strike is over…are they starting it back?
LikeLike
They got a waiver from SAG and were able to finish filming on schedule. It may be released in early 2024. I’m dying to see it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh cool!!!
Please let us know when it does.
LikeLike
I will definitely give an update when it’s coming out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You still working & filming?
LikeLiked by 1 person