Studios Prepare for the Possibility of a SAG Strike

With the expiration date of the contract between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) nearing, a possible actors' strike looms in the distance.

The New York Times reports that on July 8, the first indication is expected when the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists complete a vote on whether to ratify a new contract with the producers alliance.

As a result of the possibility of a strike, many larger movie studios will be shutting down production after Monday while many television studios are hastening to complete episodes of series that are scheduled to return in the fall or in January. Television studios will continue taping new and returning series for as long as possible, in essence banking episodes for a fall or winter broadcast in the event of a strike.

According to the New York Times, about 44,000 of AFTRA's 70,000 members also belong to SAG, which has 120,000 members.