Oscar nominated-actor Edward James Olmos (Stand and Deliver) joined the picket line last week to represent his union, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), in its ongoing fight with Hollywood studios.
Joining Olmos and other SAG members were members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), who have also brought Hollywood productions to a standstill, and members of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), who came out in solidarity with the striking actors and writers.
“SAG is on strike, the writers’ guild is on strike,” Olmos told the Associated Press. “This is around the same time, so we’re supporting each other. But in essence, they’re two completely distinct strikes that are going on now. It’s very intense. It’s going to become very difficult. It’s just the beginning, but I got to say, a lot of people are going to get hurt.”
Olmos told the ABC affiliate in Los Angeles, “It’s probably the most difficult time we’ve had because of AI.” SAG-AFTRA and the WGA are still far away from making any strides with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) about how artificial intelligence can be used in the industry without taking away jobs from writers and actors.
Edward James Olmos was also joined by his Battlestar Galactica co-stars Mary McDonnell and Michael Trucco.
“I don’t think that this as an industry has ever really understood the value of what it is to use your body, your heart, and your mind as your product,” McDonnell said. “That’s kind of why we’re running into the AI situation. They think that’s replaceable, but it isn’t. So maybe at this point being an actor could gain some more honor.”