Topline
A custom mural painted by Lena Dunham, a personalized song by the cast of Bob’s Burgers or even help with the New York Times crossword from Emmy-winning actress Natasha Lyonne are among the unique experiences being auctioned off by Hollywood stars to help crew members who’ve lost their healthcare due to Hollywood strike-related shutdowns.
Members of the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild walk a picket line outside … [+]
Key Facts
The Union Solidarity Coalition, a group of writers and directors “who were moved to connect with crew” amid the ongoing writers strike, have launched an eBay auction that lists more than 100 items or experiences for sale.
Net proceeds will benefit the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees union and Teamster members who will not qualify for their health insurance next quarter due to strike shutdowns, the group said.
The most expensive items currently listed are a sweatshirt worn in The OA by Brit Marling (bids are up to $2,325), a Zoom with the cast of New Girl including Zooey Deschanel, Max Greenfield and Hannah Simone ($2,051) and the chance to take a pottery class with Busy Philipps in New York City ($2,025).
Stars got artistic with their listings (John Lithgow is offering to paint a watercolor portrait of the buyer’s dog) while others went in a more niche direction with their ideas: Rosemarie Dewitt and Ron Livingston will mediate a relationship disagreement where “rulings are final,” the listing says, and Adam Scott of Parks and Recreation fame will provide a one-hour dog walk.
Some have offered to share their industry knowledge with aspiring filmmakers—Spike Jonze and Lena Dunham will host a virtual session on storytelling basics and Ally Pankiw will give three 1-hour coaching sessions on directing—and others will simply hang out with the fan who bids the most: Emmy-winning actress Ann Dowd will go to lunch, comedians Bob Odenkirk and David Cross will have dinner and Rachel Bloom, Matt Bomer, Tim Dekay, Sarah Silverman and Maggie Gyllenhaal are among the actors who’ve agreed to Zoom sessions.
Items up for grabs include a Hawaiian shirt signed by Daniel Radcliffe and Weird Al, a signed Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure Script, a chef’s apron signed by The Bear cast members and a VIP ticket to the Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Bidding has already begun in the auction, which will end in nine days.
Busy Philipps attends the 2022 Gotham Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on November 28, 2022 in New … [+]
US actress-writer Lena Dunham arrives for the 2nd Annual Academy Museum Gala at the Academy Museum … [+]
Key Background
The Writers Guild of America strike, which crossed the 100-day mark on Aug. 9, is one of the longest that Hollywood has ever seen. Writers are calling for increased compensation, better residuals, staffing requirements, artificial intelligence protections and more. The SAG-AFTRA union, which represents 160,000 actors and other performers, went on strike July 13. SAG-AFTRA is also pushing for AI limitations and to secure higher residual payments on streaming platforms. Together, more than 171,500 people are on strike to create Hollywood’s largest work stoppage in more than 60 years. NBC News on Tuesday reported that the actors union hasn’t heard from the studios since they went on strike, and there is no end in sight for writers, either. The two sides are not meeting regularly, NBC said, and SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher last week said she didn’t know when the strike would end, but that the union is set up financially for six months of no work.
John Lithgow attends The Old Man” Season 1 NYC Tastemaker Event at MOMA on June 14, 2022 in New York … [+]
Actor Adam Scott arrives for the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at the Fairmont Century Plaza … [+]
Big Number
$27.73. That was the hourly wage of California actors in 2022, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Tangent
Analysts estimate the actors’ and writers’ strikes are costing the economy about $150 million weekly. In addition to actors and directors, caterers, accountants, set designers, transport workers, makeup and hair artists, wardrobe crew and dozens of others are out of work, creating a trickle-down effect that could touch several facets of the Southern California economy. California State University-Northridge Assistant Professor Todd Holmes told Spectrum News 1 that the strikes had already cost the California economy $3 billion as of mid August.
Further Reading
Actors’ Union SAG-AFTRA Will Go On Strike—Shutting Down Hollywood (Forbes)
SAG-AFTRA Strike: Here’s What Isn’t Affected By Actors’ Work Stoppage (Forbes)
Actors’ Strike Fallout: ‘Oppenheimer’ Cast Walks Out Of U.K. Premiere After SAG Announces Strike (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/09/13/stars-auction-off-dinners-pottery-classes-and-even-relationship-advice-to-help-crews-during-hollywood-strike—see-what-theyre-offering-and-how-to-bid/