Left-wing actress/comedian Sarah Silverman is blazing mad that a top Hollywood union is still greenlighting certain movie projects with interim waivers.
As previously reported, the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) union is currently striking due to an inability to reach a new streaming contract with major Hollywood studios.
However, according to reports, SAG-AFTRA is still greenlighting independently produced films. Silverman isn’t happy about this.
“I feel f–king pissed off, and I know I just must not be understanding something. There are like 40 movies being made right now because they’re independent movies. Movie stars are making movies because they’re independent movies. And SAG is allowing it,” she angrily said in an Instagram video published Thursday.
The problem, she continued, is that by greenlighting these movies, SAG is undermining its own strike by taking away the incentive for studios to bend the knee.
“So you’re just letting people make movies, and movie stars are making movies that you know the goal is to sell them to streaming. And they’re just like but the streaming service has to agree. Yeah, that’s called the end of the strike, which is now going to be probably exponentially prolonged because they have movie stars making movies,” she explained.
“The strike is supposed to be … movie stars aren’t making movies for you anymore, now what are you gonna do? Well, they’re making movies. What the f–k?” she added.
Listen:
View this post on Instagram
She continued by pointing out that all the workers who are sticking to the strike are sacrificing everything for a common cause.
“Please explain to me why I shouldn’t be angry because people are making real deal sacrifices. People, writers, crew people, all these people are sacrificing their livelihood for this cause. It’s called union strong, where we’re all together,” she said.
“We should see every movie star out there striking along because you have insurance because of your union, and you get residuals because of your union. And all these things that you get because of your union, and you can’t stand with your union?” she added.
Silverman concluded her rant by admitting that she’s not certain whether she should be madder at the actors/actresses who’re selling out or at SAG.
“So I don’t know if I’m mad at these movie stars that are making these indie movies that are obviously going to streaming, or am I mad at SAG for making this interim deal for these indie movies. Like WTF?” she said.
“It’s scabbing. You’ve made that so clear that it’s scabbing. Now all of a sudden, movie stars can make movies if they’re indie, where they promise if they’ll only sell it if x, y, or z. That’s called the end of the strike, motherf–ker!” she concluded.
SAG responded to her complaints a day later by issuing a statement to Deadline claiming that it’d since met up with her and clarified some things.
“We’ve met with Sarah Silverman and other actors to provide more information, context, and resources around the interim agreements. Our members remain united and all-in for our fight to secure fair, equitable, and respectful contracts,” the statement reads.
Silverman in turn published a new Instagram video on Saturday revealing that she was still upset and cynical … but just not quite as upset.
Listen:
View this post on Instagram
“OK, I met with SAG leadership last night in the form of fearless Fran Drescher and Duncan Crabtree,” she said.
She then told her audience SAG’s side of the story.
“So the interim agreements mean that these indie productions are agreeing and adhering to all the terms that SAG wants, the ideal version of what we’re fighting for. And then anyone who wants to buy those productions, streaming or cable or whatever AMPTP-owned movie theater, etc, they have to adhere to those SAG terms or whatever has finally been agreed upon at the end of all of this, which will likely be something a little less than everything SAG wants but still be great,” she said.
“So from the SAG leadership’s perspective, this shows the AMPTP … it proves to them that what we’re asking for is not unreasonable and can be done and in fact, is being done and it forces them to either participate in it if they want the product, the film or the TV show, or as Fran said, maybe these indie productions find new avenues, new partners, and new places. And that’s beautiful, and I love a dreamer,” she added.
But she also offered a rebuttal to SAG.
“But from the other perspective, it feels like some people are being allowed to make TV and movies, some truly independent stuff, some total bullshit with like a real stink of loophole’iness in my opinion. And these projects will be shot and edited and in the can and ready to go with a bow on it for when the strike is over. They’ll be ready to sell to streamers, albeit at our new deal rates,” she said.
“And I think that feels shitty to some people because they’ve been asked to sacrifice so much all under the precipice that hey we’re all in this together, and it only works if we’re all in it together,” she added.
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.