Countdown to a SAG Strike? Studios Prepare

SAG to maybe strike, but who knows
From a SAG Rally earlier this month (more photso here) | Photo by Tom Andrews/LAist

Movie studios are preparing for the worst, an actors strike, which could begin in July if contract talks go sour, according to the LA Times:

In anticipation of a possible actors strike, studios revamped their schedules last year so that most films would finish shooting by June 30. They've also virtually stopped greenlighting new movies, causing a sharp slowdown in production -- or a de facto strike -- that could drag on for months. Some executives speculate that the studios could push back start dates to early next year to hedge their bets

However, 350 independent films have been given vouchers to continue filming.

Over the weekend, a group of over 200 actors including Tom Hanks and Sally Field publicly supported AFTRA's contract, which SAG vehemently opposes. In regards to this and possibly more, Nikki Finke is working on some breaking news to be posted at some point. "What I am doing is putting the final touches on a SAG/AFTRA/AMPTP package of urgent news and information that Hollywood needs to absorb. For those who are impatient for the posts, please understand that they represent a lot of research and analysis and fact-checking. Just know I'm working around-the-clock." She warned of this on Monday and we're all still waiting, patiently.