SAG-AFTRA Negotiations Are Underway
It's a high-stakes battle between the actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, and the big Hollywood producers, Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Here are the updates on the 2023 writers’ strike. We discuss it here.
WGA members particpating during a protest during the writers strike.
Photo Credit: Ringo Chiu/ Shutterstock
By: Gentel Sharrie
Step into the glitzy world of Hollywood as we uncover the latest news on the 2023 writers' strike. It's a high-stakes battle between the actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, and the big Hollywood producers, Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). These negotiations are a clash of giants, where actors' pay meets the growing use of artificial intelligence in writing.
In a story that could be right out of a movie, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) won big after a long five-month strike against AMPTP. They paved the way for writers to get three times more money than what was initially offered, better pay for their work later on, and safeguards against AI taking their jobs. This win gives hope to everyone in the industry and sets the stage for SAG-AFTRA's fight.
Actors picketing outside Warner Bros. studios in Burbank in July.
Photo Credit: Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times
SAG-AFTRA is a group of artists that includes actors, dancers, and stunt performers. They've been on strike since July, fighting to get a fair deal from AMPTP. However, their journey is more complicated because they have different needs from WGA. This is the first time they're negotiating since their strike began in May, which adds extra tension to the story.
As these strikes continue, the entertainment world is feeling the effects. Movies, TV shows, and commercials are all facing delays and problems, changing how Hollywood does business. SAG-AFTRA members are standing strong, ready to make big changes in the entertainment world.
LaNisa Frederick, front, and Danielle Pinnock, two Black actors who are part of “Hashtag Booked,” a groundbreaking online series, dance to the song “Fight the Power” while picketing outside Warner Bros. studios in Burbank in July. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
As we watch this big face-off between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP, the choices they make will shape the future of Hollywood. It's not just about getting paid more or having better working conditions; it's also about how computers are used in the creative process. Get ready for some big changes, as Hollywood becomes fairer and better for everyone, all thanks to the determination of WGA and SAG-AFTRA members. Stay tuned because this story is far from over.
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Celebrating Excellence: Highlights from the 2023 Afro Awards
The Afro Awards was a success for the second year in a row and the top celebrities in Hollywood were in attendance at the Directors Guild Of America. We discuss it here.
Photo Cred: @afroawardsfashionshow
By: Gentel Sharrie
The Afro Awards was a success for the second year in a row and the top celebrities in Hollywood were in attendance at the Directors Guild Of America. The CEO and Founder of the Afro Awards, Taiwo Oduala wants to make sure The Afro Awards is all about giving flowers to people who have been working hard and shining light in the community. This year’s awardees include Richard Lawson, Jason Lee, Amber Washington, Yung Muusik, Snoop Dog, Danielle Crawley, Isokenny, Rachel Mbuki, Dr. Michael K. Obeng, and many more.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 16: Taiwo Oduala attends the 2nd Annual AFRO Awards: Celebrating Humanitarian Excellence at DGA Theater Complex on September 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty Images
247 Live Culture talked with the honorees on the red carpet and asked them what it means to be honored for all their hard work. The phenomenal Richard Lawson said, “It’s always an honor to be recognized for your body of work. You know this is my sixth decade in the business so I go back when there was only Sidney Poitier, Diahann Carroll, and Bill Cosby.” Jason Lee, the creator and founder of Hollywood Unlocked shared that “It’s always better when you’re honored by your own.” Jason Lee received this years Bravery Award.
Richard Lawson’s Interview at The 2023 Afro Awards.
The Afro Awards celebrates and recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions in African-American communities. This year's prestigious event showcased black excellence in music, film, television, sports, fashion, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. The event was full of live performances and even Morris Chestnut stepped into the building and gave a brief speech.
This event catalyzes meaningful conversations, networking opportunities, and the celebration of African culture and heritage. Make sure you don’t miss the next one!
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It's Time For Better Portrayals of Black People on Television and in the Media
The world so often tries to fit Black people into one box, with Hollywood continuously putting out trauma porn and Black people being represented as gangsters, slaves, or in extreme poverty. It’s time to create better narratives for ourselves! We discuss it here!
By: Kwana Adams
The world so often tries to fit black people into one box, and quite frankly, some of us are guilty of stuffing each other into that box as well. Why do we do this? Why can’t black people be multifaceted and unique?
We don’t have to be embarrassed or ashamed of having interests that don’t fit into the black stereotype. We’re not ‘Oreos’ because we like a certain genre of music or watch anime. We’re allowed to enjoy these things as much as anyone else. We can dress the way we want to too.
Personally, I’d love to see more people walking around in ballgowns and Victorian-era clothing. I’d love for the disco era to come back well. Most of all, I just want to see black people being happy and being themselves without judgment. I also want to see black people building and creating together.
As an avid reader and writer, I’m tired of black people not being represented enough in books and film or only being represented as gangsters, slaves, or in extreme poverty. One day we need to have a conversation about how Hollywood portrays the ‘hood’ but for now, let’s discuss how we can represent ourselves differently.
I want to see us in chick flick-teenage drama movies and not just as the friend with one witty line. I want us to be fairies, superheroes, vampires, spies, etc. I want us to be the main characters. I know it’s a lot easier said than done, but we’re gonna get there. I know we’re well on our way with more tv shows with black casts are coming out. The effort is there, but we can still do better. Before we can do all of that, we need more black creatives. If we’re writing the scripts, directing, producing, etc., we can represent ourselves better than anyone. We can write ourselves in way more beautiful lights.
We need to start investing in each other, creating our own studios, publishing houses, etc. No longer do we need to worry about getting a seat at the table. We need to start building our own homes brick by brick and making our own tables. It’s time. Creating generational wealth isn’t just about piling money away for your children but also about making something that you can leave for them and others in your community.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “it takes a village?” I know it applies to raising children, but I’m applying it to black-owned communities and creative enterprises. It takes a village to build something that will enable us to leave something behind for the next generation. I want to make sure my future children are all set, but I also want to instill in them the value of working together. I am tired of the ‘every man for himself’ mindset. It doesn’t help us at all. It might feel good to get everything on your own but working with others is so rewarding. The point is, you don’t have to do it alone when you can do it together.
To wrap it up, I really want black people to feel comfortable enough in their own skin to be themselves. I’m talking about black women, black men, black LGBTQ+ people, black disabled people, etc. I’m talking about all of us. It’s okay for us to be ourselves, be silly, be imaginative. I also want for us to be represented this way in media. Trauma porn is played out, and to be honest; it’s really not even for us.
We already know slavery was gruesome and worse than what they taught us. We don’t need to keep being traumatized by black people being shot and brutalized by police or by black people being whipped or mistreated. We need comedy; we need romance; we need movies that make us laugh or just make us feel damn good! It’s about time we get that. This is the future that I’m striving for, so please don’t get in my way.
Meet Gentel Sharrie, Head of Media Coverage for 247 Live Culture!
Email: Gentel@247LCTV.com