Screen actors’ union SAG-AFTRA went on strike starting at midnight Thursday, a major work stoppage that will shut down the majority of the remaining film and television production in the U.S.—but while the strike is expected to hit most scripted programming hard, there are still a number of projects that actors will still be allowed to work on while other productions are shut down.
The SAG-AFTRA strike specifically concerns any work performed under the union’s TV and theatrical contracts, meaning actors can’t work on any major feature films or scripted television—whether on network, cable or streaming services—or promote any of their film or television projects that fall under those contracts.
The theatrical/TV contracts are separate from SAG-AFTRA’s Network Television Code, which covers unscripted television on television or digital media—meaning talk shows, variety shows, reality competition shows, game shows, award shows and documentaries (unless they’re being released theatrically) are all still free to continue, as well as soap operas.
Actors can also still work on commercials (including sponsored content from influencers), sound recordings, music videos, video games, corporate/educational content, broadcast news, television animation and audiobooks, according to official SAG-AFTRA guidance.
Podcasts that operate under SAG-AFTRA contracts are also still free to continue, as are “micro-budget” independent films and student films.
Independent producers who aren’t part of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the group SAG-AFTRA is striking against, can apply for interim agreements that still allow their projects to take place, the union said.
SAG-AFTRA also has separate basic cable agreements with specific channels that won’t be affected by the strike.