Sarah Silverman thinks actors working on SAG-waivered indie movies are scabs

Every SAG-AFTRA union member is not on strike. Some of them are working on independent films right now. SAG-AFTRA let it be known that producers could apply for special SAG-AFTRA waivers, and the union has granted those waivers to a few dozen productions which signed on to the union’s interim terms. The waivers have exclusively gone to filmmakers/producers who are independent of the AMPTP as well. Meaning, independent filmmakers and production companies have found ways to comply with SAG-AFTRA’s terms and get people back to work, all while the psychopath studio CEOs are trying to make every writer and actor lose their homes. Who has a problem with the union waivers? Pissy studio executives engaging in whataboutism. And Sarah Silverman.

Sarah Silverman has seen the so-called SAG waivers — and she’s not a fan. In a recent video posted to Instagram, the comedian slash actor slammed fellow Hollywood stars for continuing to film independent, SAG-AFTRA-approved projects under interim agreements as actors and writers remain on strike.

“Can somebody explain to me what I’m not understanding? Because I feel f–king pissed off. And I know I just must not be understanding something,” Silverman said at the start of her video posted Thursday night.

In her nearly three-minute long spiel, Silverman expressed her anger towards SAG-AFTRA members for shooting indie movies, despite those titles having received permission from the union itself which allow selected independent films to continue production.

Silverman argued that while they are being produced by independent companies, the films will eventually head to streaming where big streamers will reap the benefits. “I got offered an indie movie, I f–king said no, and so did a bunch of my friends,” she continued. “And now some of my friends are saying yes, I’m really pissed.”

“It’s called union strong, where we are all together,” added Silverman, whose last major role was voicing Vanellope von Schweetz in the 2018 Disney animated film “Ralph Breaks the Internet.”

“We should see every movie star out there striking along because you have insurance because of your union,” she said. “And you get residuals because of your union. All these things that you get because of your union, and you can’t stand with your union?”

She ended the video by saying: “So, I don’t know if I’m mad at these movie stars that are making these indie movies that are obviously going to go to streaming, or am I mad at SAG for making this interim deal for these indie movies?”

Fellow actors were quick to respond to Silverman’s rant underneath her post. “Call me an idealist but my HOPE is that there is a big mid-range indie movie renaissance that goes into theatres that are NOT waiting to be ‘sold’ [to] streamers,” wrote Juliette Lewis in a comment. “My brother, who is a laborer — I would love him to work on an independent production. Bunch of my friend’s in other states have had their unemployment checks run out, so if there’s movie productions that are not going to streamers — I’m for it for my crew and family.”

In another comment, Zooey Deschanel wrote, “I think we are striking certain particular contractual agreements with the amptp — not all work,” while Amy Sedaris gave Silverman a “Right on” and Ike Barinholtz chimed in with an “Amen sis.”

[From Variety]

When I saw the headline, I thought Silverman was just being a chaotic a–hole, but now that I’ve read her comments in context, I sort of understand her argument – while the indie films are in full compliance with the unions’ interim terms, somewhere down the line, that waiver’d film will go to Sundance and perhaps get sold to Netflix or Hulu or Apple, and then what’s the point? BUT… I still think it’s smart for SAG-AFTRA to give waivers, honestly, and I don’t think those actors are scabs whatsoever. It’s important for the union to show that they’re amenable to make a deal, and that they want their union members to get back to work in fair conditions and terms.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

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