Title: SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher Faces Criticism for Attending Dolce & Gabbana Event in Italy Amid Union’s Looming Strike Deadline
Introduction:
Fran Drescher, the president of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) union, is facing backlash for attending Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda festivities in Italy while the union’s 160,000-member actors face an impending strike deadline. Drescher’s appearance at the glamorous event has sparked criticism among SAG-AFTRA members and members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), already on strike against studios and streaming services.
Article:
Fran Drescher’s attendance at the Dolce & Gabbana event in Italy has drawn criticism from fellow SAG-AFTRA and WGA members. The event was confirmed through an Instagram post showing Drescher photographed with Kim Kardashian. Lenny Jacobson, an actor, voiced his concerns on Twitter about negotiating a possible strike while being in Italy. Jacobson’s tweet highlighted the optics of Drescher’s actions amid crucial negotiations and the ongoing strike by the WGA.
Actress Briana Cap also expressed her disappointment through a tweet, emphasizing the importance of solidarity between unions and questioning the timing of Drescher’s vacation. Taffy Brodesser-Akner, a member of the Writers Guild, tweeted about the contrast between the SAG-AFTRA members marching alongside the WGA members and Drescher’s attendance at the Dolce & Gabbana event.
SAG-AFTRA has not yet responded to CNN’s request for comment regarding Drescher’s appearance. However, the union did issue a comment to other media outlets, stating that Drescher’s participation in the event was in line with her role as a brand ambassador. The union assured that she had been involved in negotiations and that the union’s negotiating committee was aware of her trip.
Initially set to go on strike on July 1, the union, along with the management group representing major studios and streaming services, extended the deadline to July 12. Drescher, known for her role in the sitcom “The Nanny,” expressed optimism about progress in the negotiations before the extension. However, pressure from union members, including influential actors, compelled Drescher and union negotiators to take a more assertive stance.
A letter signed by top A-list actors urged union leaders to prioritize members’ demands and be prepared to strike if necessary. The letter highlighted the significance of the current negotiations and the need to achieve satisfactory outcomes. Despite the potential hardships a strike could cause, the signatories emphasized their willingness to take such measures to secure their objectives.
Apart from economic issues like pay scales and benefits, the union is advocating for progress on residuals in streaming services and safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence to create characters using actors’ voices or likenesses.
Concerns are rising about the impact an actors’ strike would have, considering the ongoing writers’ strike, which has already halted many productions of movies and television shows. An actors’ strike would likely result in the suspension of most remaining productions, except for independent films not associated with studios. The situation has raised concerns that shutdowns could persist throughout the summer, potentially into the end of the year.
The last actors’ strike against television shows and movie productions occurred in 1980. Since then, the industry has undergone significant transformation, with the rise of streaming services and changes in distribution models. Negotiations are being held between the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP), representing studios, and key players such as Amazon, Apple, CBS, Disney, NBC Universal, Netflix, Paramount Global, Sony, and Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN.
Conclusion:
Fran Drescher’s attendance at the Dolce & Gabbana event in Italy amid crucial negotiations and the impending strike deadline for SAG-AFTRA has been met with criticism from fellow union members. As the union members await the outcome of the negotiations, concerns about the potential impact of an actors’ strike continue to grow, affecting the production of movies and television shows across the industry. The negotiations between the union and studio representatives will play a crucial role in determining the future of the entertainment industry.