Though the Writers’ Strike has long been resolved, the Actors’ Strike still continues, reaching the 100-day mark on Oct. 21. Three days earlier, AG-AFTRA, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, announced that those in solidarity with the strike, especially union members, should adhere to strict guidelines this Halloween.
Guidelines such as these have led to an outcry from both the public and union members. Some have left to wonder, has it gone too far?
As an aspect of the strike, SAG-AFTRA advises against promoting struck work, a factor now highlighted this Halloween. The guild advises refraining from dressing up as characters from struck content. Instead, SAG-AFTRA recommends going as generalized characters such as zombies, ghosts, or spiders, or characters from non-struck content like animated television characters. Due to the strong influence many of the well-known actors in the union have, if a union member decides to dress up as a character from struck content they are advised against posting pictures of their costume on social media.
Such rules have led to an outcry among select actors, including Melissa Gilbert, Mandy Moore, Ryan Murphy, and Ryan Reynolds on social media. Many argue that these guidelines distract from the main focus of their strike and have simply gone too far.
“Literally no one cares what anyone wears for Halloween,” Gilbert posted on Instagram. “I mean, do you really think this kind of infantile stuff is going to end the strike?”
Some in opposition to this new rule used comedy to express their distaste.
“I look forward to screaming ‘scab’ at my 8-year-old all night. She’s not in the union but she needs to learn,” Reynolds wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
However, in contrast to common belief, these guidelines only apply to union members.
“SAG-AFTRA issued Halloween guidance in response to questions from content creators and members about how to support the strike during this festive season,” clarified SAG-AFTRA from a statement acquired by The Hollywood Reporter after Reynold’s remark. “This was meant to help them avoid promoting struck work, and it is the latest in a series of guidelines we have issued. It does not apply to anyone’s kids.”
The union has yet to back down on its strict guidelines, and many still oppose the guild’s dress code this autumn season. This weekend Megan Fox posted a plethora of images on her Instagram account dressed as Gogo Yubari from Kill Bill, specifically tagging SAG-AFTRA in her post. SNL has even devoted an entire sketch poking fun at the rule this Saturday. However, some actors have chosen to follow and uplift these guidelines during the festive season.
Whether to follow these rules or not, one fact remains true, actors are striking for a reason. Long-term pay, employment consistency, and control over the use of AI are all goals writers went on strike for and won, and now actors are asking the same. Negotiators are still working to bargain with major studios, and yet no deal has currently been reached. SAG-AFTRA has been striking since July 14 and will continue until they get a fair deal.
If this Halloween restriction, however silly to some, results in an end to the strike then it might be well worth it.
“We would rather stay on strike than accept a bad deal,” SAG-AFTRA wrote in an open letter from its members. “We have not come all this way to cave now.”