This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Strike's Over. Now What?
SAG AFTRA and WGA members and supporters picket outside of Walt Disney Studios in Burbank.
(
Brian Feinzimer
/
for LAist
)
After 118 days, the historic strike of the Screen Actors Guild is over. But it's still going to be a long road before things are back to normal, especially for non-union Hollywood businesses that have been out of work.
A long road to recovery
The actors' strike coupled with the writers' strike that lasted 148 days have been hard on a lot of folks throughout Los Angeles. Businesses all over Southern California that rely on the industry — from prop houses to hair salons — have been struggling financially.
The proposed contract still needs to be ratified but, in the meantime, the people and businesses most affected by the Hollywood work stoppage are figuring out next steps.
That includes Pamela Elyea, co-owner of the prop house History for Hire.
"You know its funny. Here I thought I would feel this tremendous elation and relief and all I feel is tired," she said.
Sponsored message
Elyea recently spoke to How to LA about how she and her employees have managed during this time.
The strikes were "not without pain for a lot of people."
"You know its funny. Here I thought I would feel this tremendous elation and relief and all I feel is tired."
History for Hire had to layoff two full-time employees and two part-time staffers. The team who remained, she said, took pay cuts and went on work share.
Her company has been working on film sets for 40 years. Most recently, it helped out with Martin Scorcese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. But, said Elyea, a lot of projects have been delayed because of the strike.
"A few shows that we had kept pushing two weeks there and a week there," she said. "One big show has been pushed into 2024."
As she waits for business to pick back up, Elyea said she’s working to set up a Business Interruption Fund. It’s to help small companies like hers that have been hit hard financially by the work stoppage.
Sponsored message
"I think a lot of people who sacrificed on this are ones that are not going to immediately benefit from the contract because we are not SAG, we are not WGA," she said, adding that a fund would be "some way to get some funding, some help, some kind of grant so we can continue to pay our bills and be there on the other end when it comes time to make new movies and new TV shows."
Listen to the episode:
Listen
16:26
The Actors' Strike Is Over. Now What?
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
