By Editor
SAG-AFTRA has provided a clarification regarding its Halloween costume rules for actors participating in the strike. These guidelines have gained widespread attention since The Hollywood Reporter initially reported on them, citing their seemingly stringent nature.
The guild has confirmed that it won’t be altering the rules. These guidelines specify that actors who are members of SAG-AFTRA should opt for generic costume ideas (such as “ghost, zombie, or spider”) rather than dressing up as specific characters that could inadvertently promote content produced by studios involved in the strike (including a significant portion of film and pop culture).
On Friday, the guild issued the following explanation and clarification: “SAG-AFTRA has offered Halloween guidance in response to inquiries from content creators and our members regarding how to show support for the strike during this festive season. These guidelines are designed to help individuals avoid inadvertently promoting work created by studios involved in the strike. They are the latest in a series of guidelines we have issued. Importantly, they do not apply to anyone’s children. Our strike is motivated by significant reasons, and it has been ongoing for nearly 100 days. Our foremost objective is to bring the studios back to the negotiation table to secure a fair deal for our members and ultimately revive our industry.”
The statement comes in response to several celebrities who humorously criticized the rules. Ryan Reynolds tweeted, poking fun at the guidelines with a touch of satire: “I can’t wait to jokingly call my 8-year-old a ‘scab’ all night. She may not be in the union, but she needs to understand.”
Mandy Moore took to her Instagram Stories, questioning the guidelines: “Is this a joke? Come on, @sagaftra. Is this really the priority? We are urging you to negotiate fairly on our behalf. People from all corners of the industry have made considerable sacrifices for months. Return to the negotiating table and reach a fair agreement so that everyone can return to work.”
The SAG-AFTRA strike is on the verge of its 100th day, as discussions with studios ceased on a Saturday without reaching an agreement.
The original Halloween costume guidelines, which were initially perceived as quite restrictive when it came to personal time with family and friends, are outlined below. The guild’s statement emphasized, “Let’s utilize our collective influence to convey a resounding message to our striking employers that we will not endorse their content without a fair contract.”
