Actress Lisa Ann Walters criticized fellow actress Megan Fox for breaking SAG-AFTRA strike protocol by dressing in a “Kill Bill” outfit for Halloween.
What a rebel.
Keep posturing for stupid shit, pretty lady.
Meanwhile we’ll be working 10 hours a day – unpaid – to get basic contract earners a fair deal
(PS-the post responded members questions. No one cares about kids’ costumes. Just high pros at fancy parties. Like Megan) https://t.co/1DA7Ew8fWz
— Lisa Ann Walter (@LisaAnnWalter) October 29, 2023
Walters clarified that the guidelines were never intended to impact young children or the children of actors, solely SAG-AFTRA affiliated actors attending large events this year. The union previously issued guidelines regarding costumes for striking actors. Among prohibited costumes were any characters from shows and movies produced by the major studios who are yet to negotiate with them through the AMPTP.
SAG-AFTRA has released guidelines for members looking to “celebrate Halloween this year while also staying in solidarity” with the strike.
The union encourages members to “dress up as characters from non-struck content, like an animated TV show.” https://t.co/CHIVutHpVk pic.twitter.com/D7ISPI0fus
— Variety (@Variety) October 19, 2023
The guidelines were widely criticized from both actors within the union and fans of a number of struck projects. Some felt it was an unnecessary part of the strike, while others were willing to comply for the sake of fighting for a fair deal.
I look forward to screaming “scab” at my 8 year old all night. She’s not in the union but she needs to learn
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) October 19, 2023
Why The Unions Went On Strike
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) represents thousands of screenwriters behind some of television and film’s biggest hits. May 2023 began a complete strike from countless writers nationwide, beginning with major productions in New York City and Los Angeles. The last WGA strike took place between 2007 and 2008, and impacted countless major television programs at the time.
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The recent strike is a result of a rapid pay decrease by 23% since the pandemic, as a result of both inflation and streaming services running shorter seasons. Additionally, several guild members revealed that their respective workplaces refused to impose regulations on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the writer’s room. Some tech entrepreneurs insist that AI can replace several types of writing careers, and writers are fighting back.
Among the many halted productions were “Saturday Night Live”, “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon”, “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” “The Daily Show,” “Abbott Elementary,” “Cobra Kai,” and “Yellowjackets.” Late night television continues to make a comeback amid the WGA’s September agreement with the AMPTP.
Months after the WGA went on strike, SAG-AFTRA joined them. The era of streaming services for television and film has not only changed the viewing experience for consumers, but the pay for actors, writers, directors, and crew members. SAG-AFTRA supports all of the WGA’s demands, and have several of their own. Actor turned U.S. President Ronald Reagan led the first joint SAG-AFTRA WGA strike in 1960.
Among the SAG-AFTRA demands are increased minimum pay rates, increased streaming residuals to match the rising inflation costs, and improved working conditions. Previously, many could rely on royalty payments from reruns. For streamers, this is no longer the case. Additionally, several major studios proposed the use of AI renderings of actors that are available for free use even after an actor’s death without the consent of the actors or their families.
Fox is yet to respond to Walters’ criticism of her Halloween costume.
