What actors can and can’t do while Hollywood strikes

As Hollywood’s actors join writers on strike, we take a look at just what many of your favourite stars can do and what they can’t until a resolution is reached.

Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis joined the strike in New York. Picture: AFP

Actors have stepped away from the cameras as Hollywood’s unprecedented strike begins — but what exactly does that mean?

The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has shared a list of actions its members are banned from doing during the strike, which began at 5pm last night (AEST).

Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis joined the strike in New York on Friday. Picture: AFP

In a memo signed by union president Fran Drescher and national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA members were ordered “to cease rendering all services and performing all work covered by the TV/Theatrical Contracts” once the strike begins.

So how does that affect your favourite stars?

The cast of Oppenheimer, including Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh walked out of their film’s premiere after the strike was called. Picture: Getty Images

WHY ARE THE ACTORS STRIKING?

The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), officially called a strike against major film and television companies as contract talks with studios and streamers broke down without a deal on July 12.

For the first time in 63 years, Hollywood’s actors joined the industry’s writers who have been striking since May 2.

Both actors and screenwriters are seeking better pay and have demanded increased residual payments (a type of royalty) from streaming services. Streaming series typically have far fewer episodes than television series did.

Both groups also want aggressive protections around the use of artificial intelligence to preserve jobs.

Actors Josh Gad and Rory O'Malley took to the streets in Los Angeles. Picture: Getty Images

WHAT ARE ACTORS BANNED FROM DOING?

SAG-AFTRA members are currently not allowed to do any acting, singing, dancing, stunt work, piloting on-camera aircraft, puppeteering, performance capture or motion capture work.

SAG members are also banned from doing off camera work, such as: ADR/looping (that’s when a film’s original audio is re-recorded in a studio), TV trailers, promos, theatrical trailers, voice acting, singing, narration, including audio descriptive services (although the union notes there are some exceptions to this, if the work is covered by a different collective bargaining agreement), stunt co-ordinating and related services.

Tom Cruise’s promotion of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One will cease. Picture: AFP

CAN ACTORS PROMOTE THEIR PROJECTS?

In short, no. In addition to stopping all work on camera and behind the scenes, actors are banned from promoting projects they’ve already filmed, in the form of interviews, premieres, fan expos, press junkets, festivals, and podcast appearances, among other types of publicity.

SAG members are also banned from promoting their projects via social media.

A blunt example took place at the London premiere of Christopher Nolan’s much-hyped Oppenheimer.

Aussie Margot Robbie said she would “absolutely” join the strike. Picture: Getty Images

After the strike was called just after 8pm local time, the film’s cast, including Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh, left the premiere early.

“Obviously we stand with all of the actors and at whatever point it’s called, we’re going to be going home and standing together through it because I want everyone to get a fair deal,” Blunt told Variety on the red carpet just before the strike was actioned.

IS THERE ANYTHING ACTORS CAN DO?

Yes. SAG-AFTRA stated that its members can still work on productions covered by the Network Television Code, which is not involved in the strike.

This includes work on non-dramatic productions such as variety shows, talk shows, game shows, reality and competition shows, and special events.

SAG-AFTRA President US actress Fran Drescher, with actress Joely Fisher, called out “greedy” Hollywood executives. Picture: AFP

The union also notes on its website that members are allowed to “honour any contractual commitments to work on an award show” if they are working as a host, or performing in a skit.

However, union members are not allowed to “appear on an award show to promote a struck project (whether nominated or not) or accept an award for performance in a struck production.”

Work on “daytime serials,” or soap operas, is also still allowed.

Members of the Writers Guild protested in New York. Picture: AFP

WHAT HAPPENS IF AN ACTOR CROSSES THE PICKET LINE?

SAG-AFTRA sent out stern warnings to any of its members who continue to work for a struck company during the strike, a practice often referred to as “scabbing.”

Penalties for strikebreaking could include disciplinary action such as “censure, reprimand, fine, suspension, and/or expulsion,” the union said on its website.

The union also noted in its recent member that any non-member “seeking future membership in SAG-AFTRA who performs covered services for a struck company during the strike will not be admitted into membership in SAG-AFTRA”.

Originally published as What actors can and can’t do while Hollywood strikes