Union tells actors not to work on pandemic film 'Songbird'

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The union that represents film actors told its members Thursday not to work on the upcoming pandemic thriller “Songbird,” saying the filmmakers have not been up-front about safety measures and had not signed the proper agreements for the movie that is among the first in production after coronavirus closures.

Actors had reportedly been rehearsing remotely for the film produced by Michael Bay and directed by Adam Mason.

The film’s pre-production listing on IMDbPro.com says its stars include Demi Moore, Peter Stormare and Craig Robinson, and gives the description, “In a post-pandemic world, an even more serious virus continues to mutate.”

But the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Actors issued a do-not-work order to its members, saying the production company “has failed to complete the signatory process,” and working on the film could result in disciplinary action.



FILE - In this March 8, 2020 file photo, Michael Bay attends the world premiere of "A Quiet Place Part II" in New York. The union that represents film actors is telling its members not to work on the pandemic thriller “Songbird," one of the first films in production after coronavirus closures. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Actors issued a do not work order Thursday, saying the filmmakers have not been transparent about safety protocols and had not signed the proper agreements with the union. The movie, produced by Michael Bay and directed by Adam Mason, had reportedly been preparing its actors remotely under locked down conditions for the shoot. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/fa9c03322ac556ac292c9f5901a53494

[marble falls]

1. Sounds like the union is protecting its members. I hope the industry gets the message.

[musclecar6]

2. One

Of the most important functions of the union is the safety of its members.

[Igel]

7. So a union's job

is to help increase pay, to help increase safety and working conditions, and to have a grievance procedure in place to protect the union's members.

I see.

That's what my parents' steelworker's union did. Bargained for money and benefits. Bargained for safety. Bargained for better working conditions (not all of which involved safety, but safety first). And made sure there was a grievance procedure to protect workers and keep their personnel matters private.

John, one of my kid's friends, belongs to a union that does all the same things. Plus he gets to wear a gun when he goes to school because as an active duty LEO it's allowed by state law.

Some animals are more equal than others.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

3. I don't think actors should work on any films associated

with Michael Bay.

[Yavin4]

6. Nor screen writers...wait...does he even use screen writers?

Most of his movies they just make up stuff as they go.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

9. They fill in the blanks by trying write stuff in between the explosions. nt

[obamanut2012]

4. Sexual predator and huge misogynist

Quelle surprise.

[Roy Rolling]

5. Union Member

I’ve worked on over 200 projects. We are struggling to determine safety measures, nothing is final.

I understand the frustration of producers—they’re overextended and losing money. But declaring victory over Coronavirus and resuming production ain’t gonna happen.

The U.S. has a strong—Union-dominant—entertainment industry. Idiot producers and bankers won’t destroy the industry with dumb, unilateral moves.

[hatrack]

8. Stay away from Michael Bay . . .