Hollywood in turmoil as actors threaten to leave due to writers strike.

Hollywood is in trouble as actors consider joining the writers who are already on strike. This strike began in May when the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to reach an agreement over pay.

This was due to the changing landscape of Hollywood with streaming services affecting both writers and actors. Chris Keyser, the co-chair of the negotiating committee, said to the Los Angeles Times that "while the companies are making billions of dollars, spending more and more on streaming, writers are making less and less. That’s untenable. It’s unsustainable."

This has caused various shows to go dark, including The Talk, Saturday Night Live, and late-night programmes presented by Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert. Now, members of the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists trade union, which represents around 160,000 performers, are also making their voices heard.

Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Rami Malek, and Glenn Close, among other Hollywood stars, signed a letter demanding a ‘transformative deal’. Amy Poehler, John Leguizamo, and other actors were also part of the letter, which said that now is "not a time to meet in the middle" in negotiations. This letter was a warning that members of SAG-AFTRA would vote to authorize a strike if a secure deal isn't made before the current contract expires at midnight tonight.

The last time actors and writers were on strike together in Southern California was sixty years ago. They are protesting streaming services' changes in the way actors are paid, and a fear of AI technology mimicking their imagery, facial expressions, body movements, and voices. Pre-streaming, actors would get residual payments every time a film or TV show aired, which provided some security in potential dips in work.

Although the contract deadline expires tonight, negotiations could continue beyond. Actors hope for a transformative deal that will protect them from the new challenges presented by streaming services, and the rise of self-taped audition videos due to Covid-19.

So, Hollywood is on the brink of a strike, with actors joining writers to demand a better deal. After 60 years, the stars are ready to take to the picket line to fight for their rights. Let's hope for a positive outcome and that both sides can reach an agreement.

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