Australian Guild Assures Uninterrupted Local Productions Amid SAG-AFTRA Strike.
Screen Producers Australia (SPA), a prominent Australian guild, swiftly clarified on Friday that entirely local film and TV productions in the country could proceed without disruption, even if they involve members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), despite the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike order that took effect at midnight Pacific time.
Australia, known for its sizable production and post-production sector, often caters to inbound foreign productions, commonly called “runaway productions.”
The strike order will impact “some scripted TV and feature films produced in Australia. SPA expects that only a limited number of non-Australian productions will be affected by the strike, resulting in the temporary suspension of cast and crew members during the strike,” as stated in the SPA notice.
Notably, the films “Mortal Kombat 2” and the series “Apples Never Fall” appear to be the highest-profile productions affected by the work stoppage in Australia.
According to Australian media reports, Peacock’s “Apples Never Fall” production stopped onat 5 p.m. local time on FridayAnnette Bening, the show’s lead actress, reportedly bid farewell to the cast and crew on the Gold Coast on Thursday and had plans to depart the country on Friday. Production was initially scheduled to continue until August.
The filming of Atomic Monster’s “Mortal Kombat 2,” also taking place in Queensland, was expected to extend until September.
However, Screen Producers Australia has emphasized that Australian productions can proceed without interruption and that SAG members can continue working on these projects.
“Local scripted productions managed and controlled by Australian production companies, which involve both Australian and imported SAG members, will remain unaffected by the strike order, provided that all cast members are engaged under Australian Industry Contracts in compliance with the Global Rule One Agreement between SAG-AFTRA and the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA),” the guild stated.
Additionally, the strike does not apply to non-scripted productions, including documentaries, light entertainment, and reality shows.
Some other international shows may have narrowly avoided being impacted. The filming of Season 3 of the U.S. series “La Brea,” which occurred in Queensland, recently concluded.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the female-led series “The Office Australia,” produced by Prime Video, will not be affected by the strike as it does not involve SAG members.
In a show of support, ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television, and Radio Artists), the national union representing professional performers working in recorded media in Canada, expressed solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA strike on Thursday.
“ACTRA’s 28,000 members across Canada stand firmly in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and its members in pursuing a fair and equitable contract. We recognize that their struggle is also our struggle and is for the benefit of all performers,” stated Eleanor Noble, ACTRA national president.
Noble added, “ACTRA will support SAG-AFTRA and its members through all lawful means. ACTRA will stand by SAG-AFTRA’s decision not to issue a new Global Rule One Memorandum of Understanding that undermines the strike during its duration. Together, we will continue to ensure that performers are respected and receive fair compensation for the value they bring to every production.”
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