The actors' strike, which has been ongoing for almost 100 days, has put a halt to most production in the industry. The dispute revolves around demands for increased pay, a share of streaming revenues, and protection against the replication of actors' images and voices by artificial intelligence. The latest negotiations broke down last week, with studios stating that they were not moving in a positive direction. In an attempt to break the deadlock, a group of A-list stars, led by George Clooney, proposed that bigger earners should pay more in union fees. This suggestion could generate $50 million a year, bridging the gap between what the union is seeking and what the studios are willing to offer.
The union has expressed gratitude for the support and ideas offered by its successful members, but clarified that the proposal is not related to the present contract or collective bargaining. They also stated that the proposal is prohibited by federal labor law and does not address the overall package. The strike will continue for "as long as it takes" until justice, fairness, and the value actors bring to the industry are recognized.
In related news, a similar strike by scriptwriters was resolved last month after 148 days. The outcome of the ongoing actors' strike remains uncertain, but the Halloween costume rules serve as a reminder of the ongoing dispute and the determination of actors to fight for their rights.
Original news source: Striking actors given strict Halloween costume rules (BBC)
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Have each group read the article and then summarize the main points in their own words. They can take turns presenting their summaries to the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of questions related to the article, such as "Do you think actors should be allowed to dress as characters from shows and movies during Halloween?" or "Do you support the demands of the actors' union?" Have students discuss the questions in pairs or small groups, and then conduct a class-wide poll to see the different opinions.
– Word Association
Instructions: Write the words "Halloween costumes" on the board. Ask students to brainstorm and write down as many words or phrases related to this topic as they can think of in a set amount of time (e.g. 2 minutes). Then, have students share their responses and create a mind map on the board, connecting the different words and phrases.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a different scene or character from a major show or movie mentioned in the article (e.g. a scene from a popular TV show, or a famous movie character). Without using any words, one student must sketch the scene or character while the other student tries to guess what it is. After a set amount of time, have pairs switch roles.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to imagine what might happen next in the ongoing actors' strike. Have them write down their predictions individually. Then, put students into small groups to discuss and compare their predictions. Finally, have each group share their most interesting predictions with the class and discuss their reasoning behind them.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Actors have been given rules about their Halloween this year due to the ongoing Hollywood strike. The actors' union, Sag-Aftra, has warned its members not to as characters from major shows and movies, as it would promote made by the studios they are in dispute with. Instead, the union advises actors to choose costumes inspired by generalized characters like ghosts, zombies, or spiders. They can also dress as characters from content that does not fall under the strike rules, such as animated TV shows. The aim is to send a to the studios that actors will not their content without a fair contract. The actors' strike, which has been ongoing for almost 100 days, has put a halt to most production in the industry. The dispute revolves around demands for increased pay, a of streaming revenues, and against the replication of actors' images and voices by artificial intelligence. The latest negotiations broke down last week, with studios stating that they were not moving in a positive direction. In an attempt to break the deadlock, a of A-list stars, led by George Clooney, proposed that bigger earners should pay more in union fees. This could $50 million a year, bridging the gap between what the union is seeking and what the studios are willing to offer. The union has expressed gratitude for the support and ideas offered by its successful , but clarified that the proposal is not related to the present contract or collective bargaining. They also stated that the proposal is prohibited by federal labor law and does not address the overall . The strike will continue for "as long as it takes" until justice, fairness, and the value actors bring to the industry are recognized. In related news, a strike by scriptwriters was resolved last month after 148 days. The outcome of the actors' strike uncertain, but the Halloween costume rules serve as a reminder of the ongoing dispute and the determination of actors to fight for their rights.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is the purpose of the actors' union warning its members not to dress as characters from major shows and movies for Halloween?
2. How would you feel if you were an actor and were not allowed to dress as a character from a show or movie you love for Halloween?
3. Do you think it is fair for actors to demand a share of streaming revenues? Why or why not?
4. How do you think the ongoing strike will affect the entertainment industry as a whole?
5. What is the significance of the proposal made by George Clooney and other A-list stars to have bigger earners pay more in union fees?
6. Do you think the proposal made by George Clooney and other A-list stars is a viable solution to the dispute? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the strike will impact the careers of actors involved in the dispute?
8. What are some potential consequences of the ongoing strike for the general public?
9. How do you think the use of artificial intelligence to replicate actors' images and voices affects the industry?
10. How would you feel if your favorite TV show or movie was put on hold due to a strike?
11. Do you think the strike will ultimately be successful in achieving the actors' demands? Why or why not?
12. How do you think the strike will affect the relationship between actors and the studios they work for?
13. What are some potential long-term effects of the strike on the entertainment industry?
14. Do you think the Halloween costume rules will effectively send a message to the studios? Why or why not?
15. How do you think the resolution of the scriptwriters' strike will impact the ongoing actors' strike?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
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Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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