Adam Driver has taken a hit at studios like Amazon and Netflix over the ongoing SAG strikes in Hollywood.
Since 2 May 2023, several productions both in film and television have been impacted by the strike of the Writers Guild of America, who were subsequently joined by The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists who have also gone on strike.
The two main issues the actors have are residual payments and the emergence of AI that could potentially replace performers.
At the moment, Driver is promoting the biopic of Enzo Ferrari, directed by Michael Mann, at the Venice Film Festival. Under strike guidelines, actors are not allowed to undertake any promotional activities, but Driver was given an interim agreement as the movie was independently made away from the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
“I’m very happy to be here to support this movie — the truncated schedule that we had to shoot it, and the efforts of all the incredible actors working on it, and the crew — but also, I’m very proud to be here to be a visual representation of a movie that’s not part of the AMPTP, and to promote the SAG leadership directive, which is an effective tactic, which is the interim agreement,” the Star Wars and House of Gucci star said at a press conference in Venice.
“The other objective is to obviously say, why is it that a smaller distribution company like Neon and STX International can meet the dream demands of what SAG is asking for… but a big company like Netflix and Amazon can’t?
"And every time people from SAG go and support a movie that has agreed to these terms, an interim agreement, it just makes it more obvious that these people are willing to support the people they collaborate with and the others are not.”
Mann stands with striking actors and writers
Like Driver, Mann spoke in solidarity with the striking actors and writers.
“Individually and collectively, we all stand in solidarity with SAG and also the Writers’ Guild as well,” the acclaimed director said.
“To be crystal clear, once an agreement is in place, we fully encourage our SAG-AFTRA members to work under that agreement and promote work made under that agreement because it benefits SAG in their negotiations.
“No big studio wrote us a check, and that’s why we’re here standing in solidarity with both unions.”
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