#equity actors

[coffee-and-uhg]

Ted Lasso’s Equity actors in full support, I LOVE IT! ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏿

[iww-gnv]

Disneyland’s costumed characters and parade performers have announced their intent to unionize. Calling themselves “Magic United,” cast members in the Anaheim resort’s Characters and Parades departments said Tuesday that they plan to unionize with Actors’ Equity Assn., which represents 51,000 professional actors and stage members on Broadway and in live theater around the country. Labor organizers have begun circulating union authorization cards to 1,700 Disneyland workers and said they will seek voluntary recognition from the company when a majority have signed. If Disney declines to recognize the union, Actors’ Equity Assn. will file the cards with the National Labor Relations Board, which will schedule a union recognition election for the cast members.

[josie-and-the-pussycats-2001]

I’m seeing a lot of information being passed around about the SAG-AFTRA strike and have already seen this line of questioning on Twitter so I thought I’d address what this means for Broadway actors as I understand it;

Many of your favourite Broadway actors work in film, television and other fields of acting outside of Broadway and do have SAG memberships and thus ARE currently on strike

HOWEVER

Broadway actors are also apart of the Actors’ Equity Association - typically known as Actors’ Equity or just Equity - this is a SEPERATE union

Broadway actors apart of Equity are signed and working under Equity contracts for the productions they are starring in

As they are working under different union contracts, if you see Broadway actors going to their jobs, performing as usual, promoting upcoming theatrical work, etc. - They are NOT scabbing or crossing the picket line as they are not under SAG-AFTRA contracts

Broadway actors are complying with their Equity contracts and to not do so would put their jobs in jeopardies

Remember, the people who comprise Broadway productions are not just famous names but are comprised of many hard working actors who do not have the status or recognition of their more notable co-stars and should NOT be shamed under the guise of false information

HOWEVER

If you see Broadway actors signing onto new screen productions, promoting upcoming screen work, and breaking any of SAG-AFTRA’s strike rules, then it is up to your discretion if you want to bring this to people’s attention

I would like to make it clear that I am NOT an expert nor a professional working on Broadway, this is all information I have gathered from discussions from people involved in the industry. I am only making this post as I have yet to see anyone else address this and have seen some people be confused about what Broadway actors are currently doing in this moment so I hope to help clear things up.

If there is any information I have misunderstood, failed to share or falsely spread, please feel free to correct me and I will update this post.

TLDR: Broadway Actors are not crossing the picket line by continuing to perform in their current theatrical roles as they are under Actor’s Equity Contracts which is a seperate union to SAG-AFTRA

[newyorkthegoldenage]

President Hoover was still calling the Depression fake news, but Mayor James J. Walker formed a Committee for the Relief of Unemployed. This is the schedule of Benefit Performances through the co-operation of the Actors’ Equity Association, January 1931. Ticket holders could see Mary Boland, Helen Hayes, and Helen Gahagan, among others.

Photo: NYC Municipal Archives

[causalityparadoxes]

[Full Tweet by Streamr: Russell T Davies discussing Susan Twist's appearances in #DoctorWho Season 1:

"We ran out of actors actually, genuinely, there was a shortage at Equity. So we keep using Susan Twist for a lot of things just because we like her. and that's the simple reason why - there's nothing behind it. No mystery, no nothing [...] Yes, she keeps cropping up faithful viewers. Yes, we've noticed, and yes you've noticed. /end Tweet]

I need to know that everyone knows how ridiculous of a statment this is. How absolutely farcical.

The UK has thousands of actors. The majority of whom are in Equity because that's the UK's Actors Union. Equity has 50 thousand members. Granted not all performers are screen actors and even less are older women. But thats still A LOT OF ACTORS.

Yes the UK has like 20 actors with star power and 50 who get all the big roles. But there are so many people here trying to make a living off their art. Many of whom would kill to have a small role on Doctor Who or similar.

There are lots of actors who would fit the description of all of Susan Twist's characters. Especially considering most are small parts with minimal screen time/lines.

Doctor who is not short on actors. They are not isolated. They have experienced casting crew with lots and lots and LOTS of connections. There will be dozens of agencies scrambling to get their actors into auditions for every role made available!

The idea they couldn't find 4 different older women to play roles with only a few lines is absolutely, hilariously, patently false.

This is possibly the funniest excuse he could have EVER made okay. I need everyone to appreciate that. This isn't "haha probably a lie but possibly believable". This is the bold faced lie of a guy who isn't telling anyone SHIT.

Only 5 actors in the entirety of the uk indeed, lmao

[thecrownnet]

Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter

The Downton Abbey alums showed their support for SAG-AFTRA at a London Equity event on July 21.

Credit: Mark Thomas/Shutterstock

Actors hold an Equity banner at a rally in support of SAG-AFTRA strike, London, July 21, 2023 (Source)

[puppetmaker40]

I am a member of actors equity which part of the afl cio. I have had my union card for forty years now and never regretted it. People forget what unions have done for all workers. And we are sliding back by states allowing children to operate dangerous machines. They are paid at a lower rate than the adults. Corruption yeah we have had that. But unions are so much more. If there is a union where you work, join. You will not regret it because the union has your back

[aqueerpolysocialist]

Solidarity with my comrades in the US fighting against this vile legislation. I've made sure to share this with all my UK based drag contacts but don't have any direct US contacts so please do share this and make sure everyone who can get involved knows that the union is there for them.

Link to the tweet: https://twitter.com/ActorsEquity/status/1631743221322620929?t=Dc9Rvnyxlr9ZNQUuh6U_uQ&s=19

[tuttle-did-it]

A hundred years ago, Ethel Barrymore was instrumental in the 1919 Actor's Equity Strike, getting rights and pensions for elderly and infirm actors, at great personal cost.

She would be ashamed that Drew is a scab.

[littlemxhoney]

SAG-AFTRA Strike Authorization 📣

SAG-AFTRA members approved a video game strike authorization Sept 25th 🎮

This does not mean a strike is necessarily imminent, but they now have a powerful bargaining tool for negotiation happening within the next few days! 💬

Learn more here: Video Game Strike Authorization 2023

What issues have led to the strike authorization? ⬇️

- AI protections around consent, control, transparency and compensation for performers and voice actors.

- Low pay of artists and actors in the video gaming industry.

- Safety for on-camera performers and vocal stress protections for voice artists.

[shakespearenews]

Formed in 1913, Equity currently represents over 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. The Drunk Shakespeare Chicago union would not just represent the performers and crew, however, but the entire staff, including servers and bartenders. Union leaders were able to get 100 percent of the Chicago cast and crew to sign their authorization cards, which might not have happened if everyone’s concerns had not been addressed upfront, Fent added. 

“It’s thrilling to be a labor leader at this moment in which arts workers across the country, like our colleagues in other industries, are claiming their power,” said Equity president Kate Shindle in a press release. “That’s exactly what the members of Drunk Shakespeare United are doing. These actors and stage managers, servers and bartenders have banded together to unionize in order to achieve a fairer, safer workplace, and Equity is eager to support their efforts. I hope that companies of other shows—who might not have realized that they too can have a unionized workplace—will be inspired by Drunk Shakespeare United’s decision to stand together and say, ‘We deserve better.’” 

---

Krull explained that during the first weekend in April, the Drunk Shakespeare D.C. team suffered a company-wide COVID-19 outbreak, and half of the staff were out sick. Instead of canceling the shows, they said, upper management pushed the few remaining company members to do back-to-back sold-out shows that Friday. Both managers were out sick, so no management was there that night, and actors were tasked with operating both the light and sound boards despite having no training on either, since no stage manager was present.

“Actors would run onstage to say a line, run off to support stage-management tasks, and then run around to deliver or reset a prop before [returning onstage],” Krull described. “We were fortunate that there were no incidents with inebriated patrons on this particular night, but the staff on duty did not feel supported, and it was a catalyzing factor in our unionization.”

[iww-gnv]

What has the world come to when even a princess can’t earn a living wage? The fictional Cinderella may have left behind a life of labor, but the actors playing her and all of her fairy tale friends in Disneyland haven’t. Now, they’re seeking to unionize under the Actor’s Equity Association so they can continue to whistle (and earn a living wage) while they work. The union is currently seeking to represent 1,700 Disneyland employees who—close your eyes, kids—play Minnie, Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and the like around the park and in parades (via CNN). After just three days, the union says it already has over 30% of employee support, but that it is waiting until it has at least 60% approval before filing for a representation vote with the National Labor Relations Board or seeking recognition of the union from Disney.

[dynared]

So anyone who is a member of sag can’t film or promote even if they’re a foreign actor in another country?

From what I understand, most foreign actors belong to local guilds. British actors for instance such as the ones working on House of the Dragon, belong to work through the British equivalent guild Equity. Equity legally cannot strike in solidarity since their contracts are still valid, so the work they're performing will continue.

If foreign actors belong to those foreign guilds, they are still working.

[himblebo]

Right as I’m putting on my director cap again in a big professional way, one of the directors and educators that really helped shape my career has passed. Big artist emotions right now.

[pynkhues]

If an actor were to go to Europe during the ongoing writer strike and film in a foreign country, would you consider that to be crossing the picket line and unethical? just wondering...

Mmm, that's a complicated question that I think depends a lot on the context, anon.

In the US right now, I think it's very important that actors and crews show solidarity to their writers. After all, without the work of those writers, those productions wouldn't exist at all, and by refusing to read and film those scripts until the writers get what they're owed is a powerful statement in and of itself.

That said, European writers aren't on strike, and European cinema has its own unions, its own standards and is, quite frankly, it's own industry. In that sense, no, I wouldn't personally view that as crossing a picket line at this stage (although my answer would / will be different if SAG-AFTRA goes on strike too).

It's also I think worth noting too that a lot of the international unions are currently in contact with the American ones.

I'm a member of the Australian Writers' Guild and we've had reps who've had meetings with the WGA to keep lines of communication open and to work not necessarily with the WGA, but to follow recommendations to ensure we aren't working against them. This has been distributed to all AWG members and ensures we know what we're doing, don't scab, cross picket lines or harm the WGA strike. That doesn't mean production in Australia has shut down in the way that it has in the States though. Australia has its own industry, just like Europe does, and these industries are still currently operating.

I know a number of Australian productions have American actors in them who are definitely members of SAG-AFTRA, but the projects being made here are covered by MEAA (the Media Entertainment Arts Alliance which is the banner all Australian writing, film, tv, theatre and journalism unions fall under, including the actors union). Knowing that MEAA, through AWG, has been in touch with the WGA makes me believe they've very likely been in touch with SAG-AFTRA too when it comes to working out what's appropriate for American actors in Australian productions in light of the strike.

I'd like to think it's at least fairly similar in different countries across Europe with the unions reaching agreements between themselves and recommendations being made as to the ways American actors are able to work in foreign industries outside of Hollywood right now.

Again though, I do think that'll change if SAG-AFTRA does go on strike too.

[thecrownnet]

Equity Updates Strike Advice Due To “Panic & Confusion” Among UK Publicists Over Actors’ Press Duties

Jake Kanter, July 25, 2023

DEADLINE

[Photo: Actors Andy Serkis, David Oyelowo, Hayley Atwell, Rob Delaney, Brian Cox, Simon Pegg, Jim Carter, and Imelda Staunton, attend a rally by UK performers' group Equity, in solidarity with striking US actor collective SAG-AFTRA, in London, UK, on Friday, July 21, 2023. They hold a large purple banner that says "Equity stands in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA."]

EXCLUSIVE: British actors union Equity will today update strike guidance for publicity agents amid confusion over how stars should manage their promotional duties during the SAG-AFTRA walkout.

The union, which has said it will enthusiastically support industrial action within UK laws, is expected to update its strike FAQs after getting calls from publicists requesting clarity.

Multiple publicists have told Deadline that there is uncertainty over how they should be preparing for press campaigns over the coming months.

“Everybody’s in a state of panic and downing tools because they don’t want to put their clients in a difficult position,” said one publicist. Another added: “It’s difficult to see where actors stand and there is a lot of confusion.”

Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming encouraged publicists to check the contracts of their clients and plan campaigns accordingly.

He said actors on a SAG-AFTRA deal are likely to be told by the U.S. union that they are forbidden from doing promotional work. Those on an Equity agreement are not on strike and should fulfill their contractual duties.

“The contract is in dispute, not the union itself,” Fleming said. “American actors are still recording TV commercials. Americans are still recording audiobooks, including for struck companies … because the agreements that they’re recording on are not subject to the dispute.”

Deadline hears that British actors have voiced reservations about doing interviews and other publicity work during the strike, even when they are on Equity deals. 

One publicist said contracts often include a vague provision for “reasonable publicity,” which could be open to interpretation in terms of the volume of promotional work an actor undertakes.

Fleming said members are welcome to contact Equity for specific advice if they are concerned that they are undermining a strike by going “above and beyond” their contractual duties.

“Do you have to carry on doing press and publicity as specified in your contract if you’re on an Equity agreement? Yes. If you’re contractually bound to do ‘reasonable press and publicity,’ what does that now mean? Well, that will depend on the circumstances,” Fleming said.

“What are you objecting to, in particular? Going on a chat show in these circumstances, for instance, maybe a more reasonable thing to object to, as opposed to having a photograph taken.”

The union would never actively advise members to renege on press duties to support the strikes because it could be seen as an inducement to take illegal industrial action.