SAG-AFTRA President warns Hollywood actors shall be ‘replaced by machines’

Fran Drescher delivered a livid speech on Thursday confirming SAG-AFTRA’s intentions to go on strike.

She condemned “disgusting” Hollywood CEOs who earned $100s of hundreds of thousands whereas working actors battle to make a dwelling.

10s of 1000’s of actors are set to cease working and be part of the continued Writers Guild of America on the picket line to battle for honest pay.

“We stand in solidarity, in unprecedented unity – our union, and our sister unions,” she mentioned.

“Unions around the world are standing by us, as well as other labor unions. Because at some point, the jig is up.

“You cannot keep being dwindled and marginalized, and disrespected and dishonored. The entire business model has been changed by streaming, digital, A.I.

“This is a moment of history that is a moment of truth. If we don’t stand tall right now, we are all going to be in trouble.

“We are all going to be in jeopardy of being replaced by machines and big business, who cares more about Wall Street than you and your family.”

Both actors and writers are combating to guard their careers in an ever-changing trade.

Streaming fashions have depleted many artists’ residual pay, while the unfold of AI over the previous few months threatens to remove the necessity for human labour altogether.

In her five-minute speech, Drescher straight challenged the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for being on the “wrong side of history”.

“You cannot change the business model as much as it has changed, and not expect the contract to change, too,” she continued.

“We’re not going to keep doing incremental changes on a contract that no longer honors what is happening right now, with this business model that was foisted upon us. What are we doing?

“Moving around furniture on the Titanic? It’s crazy. So the jig is up, AMPTP!

“We stand tall. You have to wake up and smell the coffee. We are labor and we stand tall, and we demand respect, and to be honored for our contribution. You share the wealth because you cannot exist without us.”

The strike unofficially kicked off when the solid of Oppenheimer – together with Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt – walked out of the movie’s London premiere to organize for the strike beginning at midnight on Thursday.