The strikes officially began last month on July 14th.
‘Pose’ actor Billy Porter did not hold back in a recent interview on the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes and how it has impacted his personal and financial life.
During the strike, actors cannot engage in film or television productions and cannot take part in promotional work, such as press junkets, film premieres, and events.
It comes following demands from writers and actors for raises, residuals from streaming platforms, and the introduction of regulations for AI.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Porter was careful not to go into too much detail about upcoming projects but had a lot to say to Hollywood executives who plan to “starve them out.”
“I haven’t engaged because I’m so enraged,” he said during the interview which took place in London.
The ‘Cinderella’ Fab G went on to confirm that he will be joining the picket lines upon his return to the U.S. before revealing some rather sad news.
“I have to sell my house. Because of the strike,” he confessed, “The life of an artist, until you make f***-you money — which I haven’t made yet — is still cheque-to-cheque.”
Porter alluded to financial strains being felt by those in the industry, stating that some actors are “getting six cent cheques” as they are not paid residuals for streaming services.
“The streaming companies are notoriously opaque with their viewership figures. The business has evolved. So the contract has to evolve,” Porter adds.
Disney’s CEO Bob Iger, in response to the strikes, has called it “the worst time in the world” for actors and writers in the industry to make these demands, which was met with hefty criticism by Porter who slammed Iger – who allegedly “makes $78,000 a day.”
“I don’t have any words for it, but: f*** you. That’s not useful, so I’ve kept my mouth shut,” he clapped back.
Last Friday (August 4th), for the first time, Hollywood studios met with the WGA after a three-months of failed resolution.
While the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) were willing to negotiate on certain demands, they were unwilling to so for others, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
At this time, strikes remain steadfast.
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