The 160,000-strong Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) actors and Writers Guild of America (WGA) on strike are crippling the movie and television industry in protest of a fair contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
In extension, the music industry is also impacted by the strike as many recording artists/actors also play a huge part in numerous projects.
One key limitation that the strike has implemented is that no SAG-AFTRA card-bearing actor, even if they're more popularly known as musicians, or singers, shall be allowed to render work or promote work for television and film unless otherwise exclusively permitted by the guild.
In this effect, music in television and film is greatly impacted. Billboard sat with SAG-AFTRA National Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland to talk about how the strike impacts musicians and singers in general.
Publicity Efforts
Even if they are performing in the capacity of a recording artist or part of a film and television soundtrack, singer-actors are prohibited to participate in interviews, press junkets, and even post social media content talking about such in solidarity.
In the case of Troye Sivan who starred in "The Idol," he refused to talk about the project in solidarity with the strike. Likewise, artists featured in the "Barbie" soundtrack, shall also be bounded by the same limitations.
Music Licenses
Likewise, Crabtree-Ireland also encouraged SAG-AFTRA members and even non-members to enter into new music licenses for old and upcoming productions. They also encourage members not to approve any new tracks for licensing to TV/film/streaming and to stop any promotion of songs that have already been licensed for use.
Upcoming Projects
Several projects like "I Wanna Rock: The '80s Metal Dream," "Mixtape," "Reinventing Elvis: The '68 Comeback," and "All Up in the Biz," which are all music-related shows are already slated. But like the overarching limitations of the strike, actors are prohibited to appear in any promotion work for the upcoming projects.
Notably, Disney's star-studded film "Haunted Mansion" didn't have its A-list cast of Jared Leto, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Tiffany Haddish, and LaKeith Stanfield at the red carpet premiere of the said film.
Awards Shows
Awards shows are a little bit tricky. In the case of the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, SAG members could not participate in the promotion of the event. If nominated, they can only accept the award but not participate in red-carpet interviews nor do social media posts about it.
Meanwhile, it's a different conversation about whether the show can be held without writers. When the 2023 Tony Awards were held earlier this year during the Writer's Strike, Ariana DeBose hosted a three-hour unscripted ceremony with a skeleton of a script. But now that a script is not in-sight and actors are too on strike, it would likely that the show might pivot for a later date. The same thing is expected for the Emmys, Grammys, CMT Awards, and even the Kennedy Center Honors.
Reality Singing Competition Shows, Late Night
However, reality singing and talent competitions like "The Voice" and "America's Got Talent" are still slated to return. However, late-night shows are still dimming their light up until a new contract is signed especially since these late-night shows wouldn't be possible without writers.
Check out what the SAG-AFTRA and the WGA are fighting for here.
READ ALSO: SAG-AFTRA Officially Goes On Strike: 'Wicked,' 'Barbie' Affected By Hollywood Walkout?
