A new charity auction from the Union Solidarity Coalition is now open on eBay. The auction offers a variety of activities available to participate in with famous actors, as well as signed television and film memorabilia. The auction will benefit striking members of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, as hundreds have lost their healthcare benefits amid the ongoing strike.
Among the offered services are a dog walk from Adam Scott, pottery classes with Busy Philipps, a signed apron from Jeremy Allen White of “The Bear”, a zoom meeting with the cast of “New Girl,” Natasha Lyonne‘s assistance with the New York Times crossword puzzle, a mural by Lena Dunham, and a dinner with Bob Odendirk and David Cross. Fans of all of the actors involved are applauding their auction and their willingness to help their fellow union members who are less fortunate.
Actors, writers and directors are collaborating on a charity auction with proceeds going towards helping crew members whose healthcare benefits are currently at risk during the strike.
(Source: https://t.co/0PenP3qa8g) pic.twitter.com/aKBEAuhe94
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 13, 2023
Elsewhere, some already vow to bid on some of the activities offered from their favorite stars.
can i bid $10,000 pic.twitter.com/dwjNvmuxhR
— dank tank (@BluesDank) September 13, 2023
Social Media Reactions
Some are in disbelief at the notion that Natasha Lyonne assisting with the New York Times crossword is currently being sold at more than Lena Dunham painting an original mural in the highest bidder’s home.
absolutely dying that “lena dunham will paint a mural in your home” is going for less than “natasha lyonne will help you solve the sunday crossword” https://t.co/rcy6XJpkEd
— David Mack (@davidmackau) September 13, 2023
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Elsewhere, some felt that John Lithgow’s offer of a watercolor painting of the highest bidder’s dog should go for the highest.
Hold on, finding a dog. pic.twitter.com/6Y9tJp03r7
— Seb Downie-Blackwell (@DownieSeb) September 13, 2023
Many X users sarcastically claimed that having Lena Dunham paint a mural in their home was a “threat.” Dunham remains a polarizing figure in entertainment. Known for her hit HBO show “Girls,” Dunham was later accused of molesting her younger sister after a story she wrote in her memoir, “Not That Kind Of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She’s Learned.” Dunham later accused actress Aurora Perrineau of lying about being raped by “Girls” writer Murray Miller. These two controversies continue to cast an ethical shadow over her otherwise professionally successful career.
Lena Dunham Will Paint A Mural In Your Home feels like a threat https://t.co/8i2PTM7FRX
— sage (@btwnrevolutions) September 13, 2023
Meanwhile, some joke that they plan to dress up as dogs in order to bid on the Adam Scott dog walk.
Can I borrow someone’s pup costume to get this 1 hour dog walk with Adam Scott? https://t.co/x1BEGWbakw
— just a (@F466OT) September 13, 2023
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Some X users are proposing more ideas for future auctions as well.
I wish they had one that was like "actors from the TV show you wrote a fanfiction of will perform your fanfic for you"
— EldritchKvn (@KvnRaptor) September 13, 2023
Why The WGA And SAG-AFTRA Are 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.
The current 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 are “Saturday Night Live”, “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon”, “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” “The Daily Show,” “Abbott Elementary,” “Cobra Kai,” and “Yellowjackets.”
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.
The auction remains ongoing at this time.
