WGA/SAGAFTRA Strike Discussion Thread | SAG Ratifies Contract

[AniNate]

The fact that Warner was assuring their investors the strike would end in September makes me think they do intend to work something out eventually, but they'll drag it out as far as it's suitable for them 

Edited August 4, 2023 by AniNate

[WittyUsername]

18 minutes ago, Jonwo said:

I do think the whole 'CEOs are evil!' schtick is getting a bit old at this point and also I did roll my eyes at certain actors calling for some sort of fall of Hollywood in favour of indies like A24. 

To be fair, the CEOs haven’t been doing themselves any favors with their response to the strike. 

[Cmasterclay]

It isn't fair to say that film CEOS are evil. All CEOS are evil and we shouldn't leave anyone out! 

[KC7]

Levi says he was joking

https://deadline.com/2023/08/zachary-levi-actors-strike-restrictions-1235454944/

 

“It’s come to my attention that an offhand remark I made in jest last weekend is being taken out of context, Levi said in a statement. “So let me be very clear. I fully support my union, the WGA, and the strike. I remain an outspoken critic of the exploitative system that us artists are subject to work in since I started my journey in this business 25 years ago.  This strike is necessary to protect ourselves, our writers, and all those working in production who make the industry move.”

“But we also cannot forget our fans during this strike,” he continues. “Fans that spend their money and energy traveling far distances to talk with us about our work that means so much to them, we should be able to engage. Our business exists and succeeds because of the fans, and I think it’s imperative we appreciate them for their support of our careers.”

[AniNate]

I am pretty sure Zaslav at least is legit evil. Wish he'd go the way of Chapek but Barbie unfortunately means he's probably going to stay awhile.

[TalismanRing]

21 minutes ago, WittyUsername said:

To be fair, the CEOs haven’t been doing themselves any favors with their response to the strike. 

 

Saying let them starve and be homeless - is just never a good look.  Even Scrooge at least directed them to poor houses.

[Cmasterclay]

True story - my best friend at work went to Jewish sleepaway camp with Zaslav's kids. Apparently, Zaslav was very liberal and very cordial, the opposite of everything he is doing now. Most people aren't born evil. The very concept of profit margin and pressure to "return value to investors", when combined with power, turns people to ill. Zaslav is just the most clumsy about it of all these execs, but really they're mostly the same. I don't ever think we should make the economic or political struggle about personalities over systemic causes and solutions.

[ringedmortality]

6 minutes ago, Cmasterclay said:

Zaslav was very liberal and very cordial, the opposite

He’s probably still both. Just because you’re both doesn’t mean you’re a good person or anything.

[AniNate]

6 minutes ago, Cmasterclay said:

True story - my best friend at work went to Jewish sleepaway camp with Zaslav's kids. Apparently, Zaslav was very liberal and very cordial, the opposite of everything he is doing now. Most people aren't born evil. The very concept of profit margin and pressure to "return value to investors", when combined with power, turns people to ill. Zaslav is just the most clumsy about it of all these execs, but really they're mostly the same. I don't ever think we should make the economic or political struggle about personalities over systemic causes and solutions.

 

I do think "All CEOs are evil" is a true enough and definitely the most socially agreeable position to take, but he is a pretty obvious face for it much in the way Txxxp was a face for everything wrong with his party.

[filmlover]

I don't think there's really much of a difference between an Iger or a Zaslav or whoever when they have no problem making stupid statements in the press even when they're supposed to be doing damage control. That's how you know these folks have become far too comfortable with their wealth, and one could also argue how you know they are being very much overpaid to begin with.

[Cmasterclay]

Just now, AniNate said:

 

I do think "All CEOs are evil" is a true enough and definitely the most socially agreeable position to take, but he is a pretty obvious face for it much in the way Txxxp was a face for everything wrong with his party.

Personally I find Sarandos much worse, because beyond treating creators like shit he espouses a near ideological devotion to streaming, a model which I think is not only bad for film but also will have serious long-term implications for human socialability and the economy. But again, it isn't about personalities. Even with Trump, I'm always telling liberal friends to focus a little less on him and more on the personalities and forces that have driven the Republican Party here, because if we don't speak to the larger issues, a more ruthless, electable version of Trump will wipe us off the map (DeSantis could have been this if he hadn't decided to run as Patrick Bateman). I'm sure producer elites would actually love Zaslav to retire tomorrow just like Republican elites would love for Trump to not run, so they can do malign things more effectively and quietly. Gotta keep our eye on the ball.

[Jonwo]

2 minutes ago, filmlover said:

I don't think there's really much of a difference between an Iger or a Zaslav or whoever when they have no problem making stupid statements in the press even when they're supposed to be doing damage control. That's how you know these folks have become far too comfortable with their wealth, and one could also argue how you know they are being very much overpaid to begin with.

Unless we have communism then people in those positions are always going to be overpaid.

[Cmasterclay]

23 minutes ago, KC7 said:

Levi says he was joking

https://deadline.com/2023/08/zachary-levi-actors-strike-restrictions-1235454944/

 

“It’s come to my attention that an offhand remark I made in jest last weekend is being taken out of context, Levi said in a statement. “So let me be very clear. I fully support my union, the WGA, and the strike. I remain an outspoken critic of the exploitative system that us artists are subject to work in since I started my journey in this business 25 years ago.  This strike is necessary to protect ourselves, our writers, and all those working in production who make the industry move.”

“But we also cannot forget our fans during this strike,” he continues. “Fans that spend their money and energy traveling far distances to talk with us about our work that means so much to them, we should be able to engage. Our business exists and succeeds because of the fans, and I think it’s imperative we appreciate them for their support of our careers.”

There's no way anyone actually believes this based on his past political statements on virtually everything.

[filmlover]

7 minutes ago, Jonwo said:

Unless we have communism then people in those positions are always going to be overpaid.

True, but I was referring more to how being overpaid doesn't mean that people in those positions have to shoot in themselves in the foot when talking to the press lol. There are CEOs that aren't completely avaricious out there!

 

Remember folks: having power itself isn't bad, it all comes down to how you use it that truly matters. Clearly, that isn't the case for a lot of the higher-ups in the industry right now.

Edited August 4, 2023 by filmlover

[AniNate]

15 minutes ago, Cmasterclay said:

Personally I find Sarandos much worse, because beyond treating creators like shit he espouses a near ideological devotion to streaming, a model which I think is not only bad for film but also will have serious long-term implications for human socialability and the economy. But again, it isn't about personalities. Even with Trump, I'm always telling liberal friends to focus a little less on him and more on the personalities and forces that have driven the Republican Party here, because if we don't speak to the larger issues, a more ruthless, electable version of Trump will wipe us off the map (DeSantis could have been this if he hadn't decided to run as Patrick Bateman). I'm sure producer elites would actually love Zaslav to retire tomorrow just like Republican elites would love for Trump to not run, so they can do malign things more effectively and quietly. Gotta keep our eye on the ball.

 

Sarandos is pretty bad yes, if he had just said something in the news I'd shit talk him too, I haven't found a pic of him though that so thoroughly sums up the CEO mentality as that one of Zaslav in sunglasses pointing at the camera.

 

I'm not personally involved in WGA or SAG so the high level personality stuff that makes the news is all I have to go on (well, that and Twitter anecdotes I guess that may or may not be true), but I assume these strikes are indeed about trying to rein in such forces that lead to evil CEOs. Even if things work out though I'd still hate Zaslav for being such an anti-creative douche the last couple years.  

Edited August 4, 2023 by AniNate

[Cmasterclay]

I think most people recognize that even under democratic socialism, and especially under a more mixed economy, any economy with a market will lead to bosses being paid more. But the data shows that in all sectors, the income gap between richest and poorest has exploded since the 1980s. It's no longer middle class actor vs rich boss (which always required labor to step up too!), it's strarving actor vs Ozymandias like god figures.

 

It is also about the wealth being given to those who do the work, even if some of the workers get paid more than others. LeBron getting paid more than Mike Miller is unfair in its way, but much less unfair and more sensible than either LeBron or Mike Miller getting paid less than Dan Gilbert. Same with actors - perhaps Leo is overpaid relative to fifth billed actor, but in terms of value, Leo and Fifth Billed both deserve to be the ones who split up the pot, not a bunch of suits.

Edited August 4, 2023 by Cmasterclay

[WittyUsername]

I don’t think Zaslav is any worse morally speaking than most of the other CEOs, but he’s one of the more obnoxious ones. Every time I see a picture of him or hear about one of his statements, my big takeaway is how incredibly smug and out of touch he is. He’s a wannabe Bob Iger, and Bob Iger sucks too. 

Edited August 4, 2023 by WittyUsername

[WorkingonaName]

29 minutes ago, Cmasterclay said:

 streaming, a model which I think is not only bad for film but also will have serious long-term implications for human socialability and the economy

I'm really curious how watching Seinfeld is gonna hurt sociability.  

[DInky]

https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a44721836/millie-bobby-brown-damsel-delayed-netflix/

 

Quote

Damsel was originally set for an October 13 release this year, but What's On Netflix reports that the film has been delayed until 2024 with an exact release date yet to be confirmed.

Other films we'll be waiting for a little longer to hit the streaming service include Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman's A Family Affair, Kevin Hart comedy Lift, and Damon Wayans Jr and Gina Rodriguez's Players.

Regina King's Shirley Chisholm biopic Shirley and Adam Sandler's Spaceman will also be released in 2024 instead of this year.

 

More delays, this time from Netflix.

Edited August 4, 2023 by DInky

[Cappoedameron]

4 hours ago, AniNate said:

The fact that Warner was assuring their investors the strike would end in September makes me think they do intend to work something out eventually, but they'll drag it out as far as it's suitable for them 

A lot of insiders have suggested a deal will not get done until after Labor Day weekend.