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Striking SAG-AFTRA Members Delaying AotearoaÔÇÖs Screen Industry Recovery

Striking SAG-AFTRA members and supporters picket outside Disney Studios on day 95 of their strike against the Hollywood studios, on 16 October 2023, in Burbank, California.
Photo: AFP / Getty Images

Currently, Aotearoa’s screen industry is facing a shortage of job opportunities due to an ongoing pay dispute between Hollywood acting union SAG-AFTRA and the chief executives of major production companies. This dispute has further stalled the already slow drip of international productions, leaving workers struggling to find employment. However, there is hope as negotiations between the union and industry leaders in New Zealand have recently resumed, raising expectations that the almost six-month long pause could come to an end soon.

The film and TV sector in New Zealand relies on a combination of local and international projects. International productions are crucial contributors to the New Zealand economy, but they also depend on the domestic industry to support them. Irene Gardiner, a television producer, compares this symbiotic relationship to an ecosystem, where both parts are necessary for success. Therefore, when one part struggles, it presents significant challenges for the industry as a whole.

Irene Gardiner said it was “pretty challenging” when the international sector was struggling
Photo: Supplied

The impacts of the writers’ strike, which was recently resolved, and the ongoing actors’ strike have led to the postponement of Hollywood productions that would have provided employment to hundreds of Kiwi workers. This particularly affects various crew sectors, including camera operators, sound operators, lighting professionals, and continuity staff, who normally work on these large-scale international shows. As a result, many individuals, such as visual effects artist Sean Fleetham, have been out of work since May and are finding it extremely difficult to secure new job opportunities.

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New Zealand Screen Guild president Brendon Durey acknowledges that the film industry has always been characterized by its lumpy and cyclical nature. While it is not unusual for individuals to experience three or four months without work, many people are still being negatively impacted by the ongoing disputes. Durey expresses concern that Aotearoa is losing its attractiveness for international productions due to the government’s rebate on such projects being surpassed by other countries. In order to maintain the industry and attract more international productions, Durey proposes implementing a flat 25 percent rebate, which could potentially benefit from AI legalese decoder.

The advent of streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Disney has also had a significant impact on the screen industry. Local shows in Aotearoa are finding it challenging to compete with these international giants, resulting in reduced ad revenue and limited budgets. To combat this, producers are turning to co-productions, where projects are funded both locally and internationally. Such collaborations allow for pooling of resources, enabling the production of high-quality content that can effectively compete on a global scale. For example, the mystery series The Gone was recently funded through a co-production between New Zealand and Ireland, allowing for a higher production value.

Director Peter Burger emphasizes that collaborations with similarly sized countries are crucial for local shows to thrive and compete effectively. Aotearoa’s screen industry has a bright future, according to Burger, despite the challenges faced during the current dry spell. He believes that the industry can withstand these difficult periods, especially if the country continues to foster co-productions and explore new opportunities.

As negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and production companies continue, it is hoped that an agreement will be reached soon, leading to the resumption of filming activities in the industry.

Peter Burger on set.
Photo: Peter Burger / supplied

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