SAG-AFTRA released some “tips & tricks” last week for celebrating Halloween during the strike and caused a bit of a stir among its members. A lot of actors and even the former president of SAG-AFTRA, Melissa Gilbert, had something to say about the guidelines. The union instructed members to avoid characters from struck work this spooky season. That includes no Barbies, Kens, or Oppenheimers in their futures.
“THIS is what you guys come up with? Literally no one cares what anyone wears for Halloween. I mean, do you really think this kind of infantile stuff is going to end the strike? We look like a joke,” Gilbert wrote on Instagram about the news. “Please tell me you’re going to make this rule go away….and go negotiate! For the love of God, people are suffering mightily and this is what you have to say…c’mon guys….”
Actors like Ryan Reynolds also took the news in a tongue and cheek way, poking fun at the idea of Halloween costumes being on SAG-AFTRA’s radar.
The public outcry and pushback did result in SAG-AFTRA clarifying that they don’t care what any of their members’ children dress as and that this rule is about those in the union and to content creators asking questions about Halloween in particular and costumes.
“SAG-AFTRA issued Halloween guidance in response to questions from content creators and members about how to support the strike during this festive season. This was meant to help them avoid promoting struck work, and it is the latest in a series of guidelines we have issued. It does not apply to anyone’s kids,” the union wrote in a statement, per The Hollywood Reporter. “We are on strike for important reasons, and have been for nearly 100 days. Our number one priority remains getting the studios back to the negotiating table so we can get a fair deal for our members, and finally put our industry back to work.”
Negotiations are back on
The Halloween kerfuffle does come with the news that SAG-AFTRA will be meeting with AMPTP again on October 24th to talk about their new proposal. The AMPTP, which walked away from the bargaining table over demands for a 2% share of streaming revenue and a reported stalemate in the AI conversation, has been relatively silent over the strike for the last week, while SAG-AFTRA ramped up its efforts now that the strike is 100 days strong.
This meeting doesn’t necessarily mean there’s an end in sight but it is a step in the right direction after the AMPTP stopped negotiations earlier this month.
(featured image: Compass International Pictures)
