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Actors Vent Frustrations with SAG President Fran Drescher Over Halloween Policy

By Dustin Rowles | Film | October 21, 2023 |

By Dustin Rowles | Film | October 21, 2023 |


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It’s not just the general public who believed that SAG and AMPTP would come to a fairly quick resolution to their labor standoff after the WGA agreed to terms with the studios; it was the actors, as well. Most of them have been out of work since at least July, and even longer for many who weren’t working when the writers’ strike began on May 1st.

It was thus a shock to the actors, as well, when negotiations with the studios broke down last week over a new proposal in which the guild would receive a portion of subscription fees to disburse to the actors. The union remained supportive, but there have been some obvious signs of frustration. For instance, George Clooney and several other A-listers (including Scarlett Johansson and Emma Stone) were anxious enough to end the strike that they offered their own proposal to essentially redistribute $150 million from the top earners to actors on the lower end. Fran Drescher rejected the proposal out of hand — appropriately — because it was unrelated to the issues central to the strike: Better residuals, A.I. protections, etc. Ben Affleck apparently had his own separate proposal. It’s clear that some of the A-listers are trying to figure out how to restart negotiations. From Puck

Last thing anyone wants is even the appearance of dissent for the AMPTP to leverage. But … it’s also clear from these moves that the top-earners and even the dwindling middle class of working actors are super-frustrated with the stalemate. They took the summer off; fine. Now they’re losing a second movie, or a new season of their lucrative show. The rest of the industry is also frustrated. After the grueling 148-day writers strike, many hoped SAG-AFTRA would negotiate gains on a few actor-specific issues, then wrap this up quickly so production can re-start by the end of the year. Now, everything is getting pushed to 2024, and next summer’s movie season is in disarray.

In fact, it seems as though that frustration bubbled over yesterday over something relatively small: SAG-AFTRA Halloween costume guidelines. Basically, Fran Drescher and Co. insisted that members shouldn’t wear costumes connected to struck shows and movies, i.e., no one can go to their parties as Barbie or Ken.

Melissa Gilbert, who was the President of SAG before Drescher, took aim at the rule, tagging Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland in Instagram post:

“THIS is what you guys come up with? Literally no one cares what anyone wears for Halloween. ” mean, do you really think this kind of infantile stuff is going to end the strike? We look like a joke. Please tell me you’re going to make this rule go away … and go negotiate!”

“For the love of God, people are suffering mightily and this is what you have to say … c’mon guys … This is the kind of silly bullshit that keeps us on strike. ‘Let’s enact a policy that makes us look petty and incompetent at the same time.’”

Not exactly a show of solidarity from Drescher’s predecessor. This Is Us star Mandy Moore expressed similar frustrations in a social media post. “Is this a joke? Come on SAG-AFTRA,” she wrote. “This is what’s important? We’re asking you to negotiate in good faith on our behalf. So many folks across every aspect of this industry have been sacrificing mightily for months. Get back to the table and get a fair deal so everyone can get back to work. Please and thank you.”

Ryan Reynolds, at least, had a sense of humor about his pointed tweet in response to the policy. “I look forward to screaming ‘scab’ at my 8 year old all night. She’s not in the union but she needs to learn.”

In response to the backlash, SAG has defended the policy, although they did address Reynolds’ concerns. “This was meant to help them avoid promoting struck work, and it is the latest in a series of guidelines we have issued. It does not apply to anyone’s kids.”

As for family costumes? Actors should consider going as the family from Bob’s Burgers because animated series are covered under a separate contract.