SAG-AFTRA Greenlights More Indie Projects Amid Strike Chaos

SAG-AFTRA, the actors' guild, has recently granted several more indie projects the green light to shoot during the ongoing strike. Among these is the independent film: 'The Summer Book' starring the renowned Glenn Close. Additionally, the TV series 'Underdeveloped' and 'Sight Unseen' are also included in the current waiver list.

With these recent additions, the tally of projects getting permission to shoot now stands at 68, even amidst the strike chaos. Notable films in this list are a couple of productions from A24, namely 'Mother Mary' and 'I Dream of Unicorns', and the Apple TV+ series 'Tehran'.

Included in the list of exemptions granted by SAG-AFTRA is the Bible-based series 'The Chosen', noteworthy as the first series to obtain an excemption since the strike kicked off on July 16.

Applications for waivers began to be accepted by the actors' guild from the onset of the strike on July 14. According to SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, they received a wave of "hundreds of applications" and assured they'll respond to all. He mentioned that projects hoping to receive an agreement shouldn't bear "any AMPTP fingerprints on them".

'The Summer Book', now clear to shoot, is helmed by director Charlie McDowell. The film is an inspiration-rich narrative of a young girl and her grandmother who spend the summer on an uninhabited island located amidst the Gulf of Finland.

In a recent Comic-Con event, Crabtree-Ireland elaborated to Deadline on why particular projects including those with possible connections to major studios were granted interim agreements. He reiterated these agreements were in line with the terms of their last counter-offer made to AMPTP.

Animation, however, was given to a statement made by Crabtree-Ireland, "If there are AMPTP connections, then waivers won't be granted." He noted the need for projects to be individually investigated and evaluated given the 'AMPTP fingerprint' condition statement.

Now, let's indulge in a bit of writerly whimsy and consider what all this means for us entertainment buffs. The SAG-AFTRA strike might seem like a cloudburst on Hollywood's parade, yet in some strange way, it's also putting the spotlight on indie films' dynamism. It's as if the strike has created a makeshift stage for these underdogs, and while the big dogs are away, the understudies get to play.

The Summer Book isn't going to bring you face to face with extraterrestrial invasions or nerve-wracking car chases. It is, however, a testament to the poetic power of simple narratives. A summer, a small island, and the enriching bond between a grandmother and grandchild- perhaps, it's these seemingly small stories that our industry needs more of. A return to narratives grounded in human connection amidst the walloping world of green screens and immortal superheroes.

Furthermore, it's refreshing to see the guild's meticulous investigation process. It's an affirmation that decisions aren't made on a coin toss but a calculated scrutiny of each project's individual merits and issues. Crabtree-Ireland's talk about "AMPTP connections" is a fancy Hollywood way of saying, let's keep things fair and square, and avoid serving one side of the industry.

In essence, while the SAG-AFTRA strike might stir up scenes of chaos, it seems to be playing an uncanny role as an unexpected catalyst for indie projects and fair play in the complex landscape of Hollywood dynamics.