Actors’ strike not just about movie stars. It’s about our working-class neighbors who support them | Opinion
Why should anyone who’s not an A-list actor or someone who works directly on blockbuster films in Hollywood or L.A. care about the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes? Aside, of course, from our entertainment future being limited to re-runs of decades-old TV shows and watching unscripted TV (translation: reality shows)?
As a full-time professional SAG-AFTRA actor, lifelong South Florida resident and taxpayer, I’ll tell you why.
Not all actors get paid the big bucks; the vast majority are working-class actors who earn a modest living, if they’re lucky. Many need a “day job” to make ends meet.
It isn’t just actors who are impacted — it’s also the people and businesses that benefit from production, such as dry cleaners, ride share and taxi drivers, stylists, caterers and carpenters. The economic impact is compounded by all of our earnings and theirs, paying rent, buying necessities, such as groceries, clothes, pet supplies, and services such as childcare. All this provides revenue to these businesses and individuals, letting them hire more employees who spend their money at local establishments, pay taxes, etc. — continually multiplying the dollars and fueling industries such as real estate and tourism.
The contract provisions we’ve been trying to negotiate in good faith haven’t been meaningfully updated since the advent of game-changing technology, such as streaming services and A.I. The compensation structure for streaming platforms results in far lower salaries and residuals for actors than broadcast; studio executives’ incomes have risen drastically while those of actors and writers have been severely reduced.
And the advent of A.I. that would let studios fabricate our likenesses — in perpetuity, and without our consent or compensation — effectively putting actors, writers and production services providers out of work. We are only asking for what is fair and equitable. Unions stand in solidarity with us; among those expressing support are: WGA, Teamsters, IATSE, DGA, Producers Guild and the AFL-CIO.
Multitrillion-dollar corporations, including Amazon, Netflix, Disney, and Apple, are only successful because of union members’ hard work.
A prolonged strike will have far-reaching consequences for working-class families and local economies.
And when it comes to local economies, Florida’s once-robust film and television industry has dwindled to a small fraction of what it had been. The number of projects filmed in the states that offer the film industry tax benefits far surpasses what is being done here — those projects belong in the Sunshine State. Florida sunset tax rebates, causing filmmakers to go to states such as Georgia and Louisiana, which enacted theirs when ours were not renewed.
Tax rebates are not an expense, they’re an investment with a hefty return. It’s not just a job-growth for actors and crew that we’re losing out on, it’s the multiplier effect that we’re foregoing. It’s all those hotel rooms that aren’t being filled by cast and crew; the meals they’re not eating in Florida restaurants; the fuel they’re not buying for generators and trailers; the cars and trailers they’re not renting, the dry-cleaning they’re not getting done by local suppliers; the lumber that’s not being purchased to build sets. In addition, there’s also the boost that film-making brings to future tourism — all those viewers worldwide who want to see the buildings and beaches featured in their favorite movies and TV shows.
Tourism and ancillary businesses reap the rewards of local filming.
So many friends and colleagues moved away from Florida. Just recently a fellow actor told me he’s moving his entire family: him, the wife and kids — to Atlanta. They selected a neighborhood within a good school district. So now a Georgia Realtor and all the businesses that profit from new residents will benefit. Not us.Years ago we lamented ‘brain drain’ and efforts were made to recruit employers. Now we’re experiencing ‘talent drain.’ It’s entirely preventable. Please urge your state and local representatives to enact tax incentives to help Florida’s economy and tourism at the same time.
Let’s be ready to take advantage of the economic boost we can enjoy when the strike ends. Find out which candidates support our industry and vote with your wallet in mind.
Janet Carabelli is a working actor and a member of SAG-AFTRA.
