The full list of things that actors can’t do during the strike is actually HUGE.
Due to a bit of a legal loophole, the actors’ strike won’t have any impact on House Of The Dragon, which is currently ploughing ahead with filming its second season in the UK and Spain right now.
Variety revealed that HBO’s hit show is continuing production through the Screen Actors’ Guild strike action, which went into effect on Thursday evening, prompting some huge stars to stop working mid-job.
The reason why House Of The Dragon can continue to be filmed is that most of the cast are not part of the SAG, but instead a local actors’ union, known as Equity, and members of Equity are not legally allowed to strike in solidarity with the U.S. union.
Equity told its 47,000 members on Thursday: “Equity U.K. will support SAG-AFTRA and its members by all lawful means. A performer joining the strike (or refusing to cross a picket line) in the U.K. will have no protection against being dismissed or sued for breach of contract by the producer or the engager.
“Likewise, if Equity encourages anyone to join the strike or not cross a picket line, Equity itself will be acting unlawfully and hence liable for damages or an injunction.”
House Of The Dragon had also finished its scripts for the second season before the Writers’ Strike kicked off earlier this year, but this combination could mean that more US productions will head to Ireland and the UK to produce already-written movies and shows, using cast members exclusively within the Equity union.
Meanwhile, as reported by Variety, except as set forth in the Notice to Members Regarding Non-Struck Work, all covered services and performing work under the TV/ theatrical contracts must be withheld, including but not limited to:
– Principal on camera work, such as:
- Acting
- Singing
- Dancing
- Performing stunts
- Piloting on-camera aircraft
- Puppeteering
- Performance capture or motion capture work;
– Principal off camera work, such as:
- ADR/Looping
- TV Trailers (promos) and Theatrical Trailers
- Voice Acting
- Singing
- Narration, including audio descriptive services except as the services may be covered by another collective bargaining agreement referred in the Notice to Members Regarding Non-Struck Work
- Stunt coordinating and related services
– Promotion of/publicity services for work under the TV/Theatrical Contracts, such as:
- Tours
- Personal appearances
- Interviews
- Conventions
- Fan expos
- Festivals
- For your consideration events
- Panels
- Premieres/screenings
- Award shows
- Junkets
- Podcast appearances
- Social media
- Studio showcases
– Additional restrictions:
- Background work
- Stand-in work
- Photo and/or body doubles
- Fittings, wardrobe tests, and makeup tests
- Rehearsals and camera tests
- Scanning
- Interviews and auditions (including via self-tape)
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