Georgia vs the Strikes
by: Mitzi Flores
Editor’s Note: The WGA strike has ended as of Wednesday, September 27th, but the SAG-AFTRA strike is still ongoing. This article was written while both strikes were active.
Georgia has seen a boom in film and television production in recent years, earning Atlanta the nickname of “Hollywood of the South.” The state offers diverse filming locations, but its true draw for filmmakers lies in its generous tax incentives. Megahits such as Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, Baby Driver, and Avengers: Endgame showcase the state from picturesque small towns to its city skyscrapers. However, just as in the other Hollywood, Atlanta-based productions are facing challenges as the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are simultaneously on strike.
After failing to reach a contract agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) by their May 1 deadline, the WGA called for a strike, stopping all union work on May 2. The goal of the strike is to exert economic pressure on the studios as the union fights for fair compensation, rights and credits, and health benefits. Due to the AMPTP’s ongoing refusal to provide fair compensation and worker protections, SAG-AFTRA also declared a strike on July 13, 2023.
While Hollywood bore the brunt of the initial economic impact, Georgia’s film industry was soon to follow suit. Major script delays, uncertain release dates, and a depleted talent pool have left the once-booming industry working with scraps. “Assisted Living” by Tyler Perry Studios and ABC’s “Will Trent” are among the many projects on pause.
The actors’ strike also prohibits promotional work, affecting events like Dragon Con, a pop culture convention held in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend. During the convention, SAG advised actors to avoid discussing their work on any shows or movies covered by the strike. Fortunately, Dragon Con media engagement director Dan Carroll supported the actors’ guidelines. In a statement regarding this year’s changes, he said, “We will ensure that they are not put in situations where they have to answer questions … that would violate their agreement with the union. And there’s going to be heavier moderation.” Because they couldn’t discuss struck work, actors ended up sharing their personal lives, from non-work hobbies to family recipes, creating a memorable experience for attendees.
Overall, the strikes have more than sufficient reasoning to continue their stance, even if Georgia’s entertainment industry is at stake. However, the only ones who reap the benefits are the major motion picture studios.
Works Cited:
Boyce, Hunter. “Dragon Con: 2023 Guide.” ajc, August 28, 2023.
Dockterman, Eliana. “How Georgia Became the Hollywood of the South.” Time, July 26, 2018.
izielinski1 • October 4, 2023