August 2023 | Mile Nerd

Strike Q & A

Two differences this month:
-First, I’ll be linking to more pages than usual. Because of the nature of this topic.
-Second, the format is an imaginary Q & A with a guy who is always full of “bad takes.” You know the type.

Here we go…

10 questions from “bad take guy” about the Hollywood strikes

1 – What’s the deal with this? A bunch of rich celebrity actors and writers being greedy?

Just…no.

Don’t strain your brain. While I’m sure it’s entertaining to go through life listening to the craziest 1% of our population…

-Elvis isn’t alive.
-The Easter Bunny isn’t real.
-And the majority of faces you see on your TV aren’t rich.

2 – Alright, smart guy, so what’s the scoop with these strikes? Also, are you 100% sure about the Elvis thing?

Pretty sure, yeah.  

Now, let me ask you a question:

You’ve heard your fellow humans talking about corporate greed, right? Probably tough to remember with all the bong hits, I know. But that greed has exploded in recent years. Have you noticed some impacts with buddies in other industries? Here’s the deal…

It’s not just about skyrocketing CEO salaries. There’s a flip side to that coin. Because yachts aren’t cheap. Something has to pay for them…

Spoiler alert:
In multiple industries, workers are getting squeezed.

(And, no, it hasn’t always been this extreme)

The “Hollywood strikes” are rooted in the same stuff that’s impacting people you know.

But I guess you could say this particular situation is “on steroids.”

3 – Steroids? Now, that’s badass. Makes me think of wrestling. Fine, you got my attention. So, why should I care about this?

Well, broseph…

It’s not my place to tell you what to care about. But, out of curiosity, have you ever considered how important art is in your life?

(I’m guessing probably not)

So, let’s take a look:

Maybe you’ve gone through hard times. Possibly had your heart broken along the way? Happens to all of us. Very normal part of being alive. And maybe you’ve turned to a funny show to insert some kind of joy into your day. Or, more likely, an action movie to distract you from the pain for a couple hours. I hope you’ve never lost someone. But it’s something we all have to go through. Just about the worst thing there is. It’s something that can feel like you’re living in your own private hell. And nobody in the world can relate. Sometimes we turn to storytelling because we need to see another person going through a similar journey. Art can help us feel less alone.

Sometimes stories come along that allow us to think differently. Whether you realize it or not. But art does play a huge role in your life. We’re so used to accessing it when we need something. It’s a tool so often used that we take it for granted. Even just think of how you fight boredom on a plane. Imagine those long flights with a total absence of art. With no writer, actor, or musician stepping in. Does that mean it’s the cure for cancer? Of course not. But art does play a big role in our lives.

(This is expressed beautifully here – or in a longer version here)

So, why should you care?
It’s not about fighting someone else’s fight. I think it’s just about caring enough to have the basic facts right. These are peak times for misinformation. Do you really want to keep being “bad take guy” forever?

4 – Dammit. That’s true about my nickname. I don’t really like it. Fine, I’m listening. But I thought all those people got paid millions. How are they getting squeezed (haha that made me think of boobs)?

Good one.

So, we’re friends now? Cool, let’s really talk. We’ll start with the writers first…

If I took a poll here right now, “The Bear” on Hulu would probably win for best current show. Deservedly so. Tons of people are watching it and it’s doing very well in every way. Perfect example for us…

This video will tell you the story of their staff writer Alex O’Keefe. A guy who “won the lottery” writing for a show that became a sensation. Hulu didn’t share the wealth. They didn’t make Alex a millionaire. Oh, and…

They didn’t even keep him above the poverty line.

As they basked in the glitz and spectacle of having a huge hit show…

Alex walked onstage at the WGA awards with a negative bank account balance. In a suit he had to borrow. As a writer for the award-winning show that night.

5 – What the shit? Dude, this is nuts. Wait, put that puppy in reverse for a second. None of this makes sense. I am a little buzzed right now, but you’re talking about huge shows. How did things get so bad?

Since you’re a few beers in, here’s  the simple version…

You’ve heard of actors and writers getting “residual checks,” right?

Well, you probably have a mental picture of those checks. The surprise riches that get delivered every month. I get it, daydreaming is fun. But let me ask you this:

Why do you think residual checks came into existence?

It’s because writers and actors are such massive parts of visual storytelling. Obviously, right? The entire world of the story comes from the brains of writers. And actors bring it to life. That big crew…all those lights and cameras…it’s there to capture human moments. That’s why we click the play button on our devices.

See, the visual storytelling of TV and movies is like a mirror. Reflecting our human experience back to all of us. From our strangest comedy to our darkest tragedy…and all the drama in between. As a species, we’re all over the place. And we’re all drawn to this reflection. We want to see it.

So, why did residuals come about? It’s a very big business. Corporations make huge profits from the work of writers and actors. And those workers wanted something in return for being such critical pieces of such a successful enterprise. Not yachts of their own. Just not having to borrow a suit to go to an award show. To be shown a reasonable amount of respect.

The money portion of this strike is about streaming services. How would anyone feel if they removed the part of paychecks that makes it possible to earn a living? Well, here’s a peek behind the negotiating room door:

When streamers first came along, the writers and actors were told:
“Be patient. This is new technology. We’ll take care of you.”

Not the first time “be patient” was uttered. It’s code for not paying writers. Here’s a quick look at the history of that phrase:

1981 – They got shut out of residuals for VHS tapes. And had to strike.
2007 – Shut out of residuals for DVDs. Had to strike again.
2023 – Exact same thing with streamers.

The current strike was not a surprise to anyone. Because the writers are not actually asking for “more.” They just want the big chunk of their income that was taken away. The business model includes residuals because it’s what makes that career sustainable.

This quote from a writer summed it up well:
“If someone steals your wallet and then gives you five dollars back…you’re not five dollars richer. They still stole your wallet.”

Alex O’Keefe knows the current reality of streamers. He wrote on a massive hit show and wasn’t compensated enough to cover his living expenses in the city it filmed.

Just one of many examples.

6 – Dang, dude. This is some shit. What about the actors? They have to make more than the writers, right?

Less, actually. Why don’t we look at another sensation from the last year…

“Jury Duty” was huge streaming show. Trending everywhere and the whole song and dance. Their cast (aside from the one “celebrity name”) probably didn’t make what you’d guess from such a “big break.”

Actually, let’s test this. How much would you guess?

Because it wasn’t life-changing money. Or medium money…

Or even enough to buy a lightly used Prius.

The cast of this big hit earned just enough to get over the minimum qualification for union health insurance.

7 – Yo, man. I get it now. Shit, I’d be out there striking too. Wait, big movie stars do make millions, right?

For the most part, yeah. Network series regulars and “movie stars” tend to make a bundle. Again, that’s why this strike isn’t about them. Their situations are extremely rare. They’re the first ones to say it. Keanu Reeves is the biggest “star” in every movie he makes. The big name that audiences pay to see. But nobody involved, including Keanu Reeves, would consider him the most skilled actor in any of his movies. His reality is abnormal. A turn of good fortune and luck that is just about as rare as being struck by lightning. See, there’s probably a Merryl Streep of this generation. And, if she exists, she’s likely doing an off-Broadway play and maybe a scene or two in an episode of Law & Order. She’s not a “name.” And will almost certainly never play a lead role in a studio movie. Or get to audition for one. Because here’s what successful careers typically look like for a working professional actor…

A commercial here and there, a few nice guest spots on some shows, and an occasional recurring gig. Constantly preparing and working toward the next opportunity. Jumping from job to job forever. Sustained by residuals from performing in the highest level of shows for years.

Seinfeld was a cast of four, right? Nope. There were 1,323 actors who contributed to that all-time great comedy. This strike has little to do with the four millionaires. It’s about what corporate greed has done to the other 1,319.

Because of the “streamer schemers,” 86% of the Screen Actors Guild no longer earns enough to qualify for health insurance.

(The amount needed to qualify is $26,000/year)

Between streaming and AI, a lot of people are on the verge of getting bulldozed. Sure, Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts make millions of dollars a year. And generate a ton of revenue. But seeing those numbers and thinking “that’s how actors are paid” is like seeing Richard Branson and thinking “that’s what British people earn.”

It’s wildly incorrect.

The vast majority of people who move you on your screen – along with so many of the ones who write the stories that entertain you – are no longer paid a livable wage. We’re not talking about “wannabes.” These are the working professionals. The non-celebrity success stories.

It’s why things are at a breaking point.

Remember when “Orange Is The New Black” was an early streaming hit for Netflix? CEO Ted Sarandos raved that their audience was bigger than Game Of Thrones. But it also provided a glimpse of the streaming economy that was yet to come.

8 – This is cuckoo for Coco Puffs, bro. Yo, you said something about AI with this strike. What’s the deal with that?

To give you a taste of how the other side negotiates, here’s another peek behind the curtain:

At the bottom of the totem pole are the background artists. Also known as “extras.” Those people have the longest days, the lowest pay, and so on. It’s grunt work. Not a position that requires unique skill or talent – so it’s entry-level. But they serve a purpose in the storytelling. Filling in the background and helping scenes feel real. They are part of the process. With that in mind, here’s the offer from the other side…

They proposed one day of pay to extras. Which includes a digital scan that can be used for eternity. Essentially, as AI continues advancing, they’re telling those people:
“We want the right to pay you for one day of work. And then to never pay you again.”

Yeah, you heard that right.

So, when a celebrity actor supports this strike? Part of it is to lend a voice to the lowest person on the totem pole. Joining the rest of the protesters to say this is not ok.

9 – Hold up. I think I just puked in my mouth. Paid for one day and never paid again?? Greed is right. I just had the wrong side. What in the name of Rowdy Roddy Piper is wrong with these people? Who negotiates like this??

Who? Well, that’s an interesting question. Because the negotiations now involve a bunch of Wall Street types. Most are totally disconnected from the creative process. Recently, they even asked the following question behind closed doors:
“What’s a callback?”

It’s a very common term. An important part of how their colleagues across the table pursue work. But, to them, it was nothing more than an unfamiliar word in the documentation. I’ve seen some incredible things from the “money guys” through the years. Hard to cover everything. But it happens at all levels. Even just in commercials. Which is easier to talk about since those are not current projects. Here’s a pair of examples to give you a glimpse:

• National commercial campaigns cost millions of dollars. Air time, ad agencies, expensive locations, trucks, manpower, and so on. With a budget of millions, I’ve seen those people flat-out lie about how much a commercial airs. Why? To avoid paying an extra 5 or 10 grand (that is contractually owed) to the actor starring in their commercial. Millions spent. Yet, still trying to squeeze someone out of 5k.
• I remember a brilliant Yale-trained actor who hadn’t gone on a family vacation in years. But he booked a worldwide campaign for a big computer company. They spent 10 hours filming this actor/musician from all angles. At the end of the day, the head suit whispered a message that was passed down to the actor. He was told, “They just want to get a quick closeup of your hands for an insert shot.” Everyone hugged and clapped as the shoot concluded. The actor departed for his first family vacation in years. Courtesy of this worldwide campaign. When he returned home, there was a message from his agent. The only shot they used was the one of his hands. It was seemingly the plan all along. By cutting him out, they wouldn’t have to pay him a few thousand dollars. In a campaign they were spending millions on.  

There are plenty of stories like this. Part of a long history of unreasonable behavior. So, it’s not a surprise hearing anonymous statements like:
“The endgame is to allow things to drag on until union members start losing their apartments and houses.”

10 – My dude. I don’t want to be Bad Take Guy anymore. Their GOAL is to drag it on until people lose homes? Who even thinks of shit like that?

Like I said. Yachts don’t pay for themselves.