Photo:Elena Sanchez/Instagram
Elena Sanchez/Instagram
A stunt performer in Georgia joined theSAG-AFTRA strikethe best way he knows how.
Stunt coordinator Mike Massa was one of many members of Atlanta’s stunt community who gathered at Covert Camera Vehicles on Monday to show solidarity with Hollywood actors who havebeen on strike since July 13. (Writers have been striking since May 2.)
Massa’s participation in the event comes after he spent 10 months working onIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, serving as one of Harrison Ford’s stunt doubles.
He chronicled his experience at the film’s premiere through a series ofInstagram photos, writing that he “worked with some amazing people” and made “memories of a lifetime.” His stunt work has also beenseen in television projectsincluding theYellowstoneprequel series1923andStranger Things.
Mario Tama/Getty
Speaking about his reason for taking action in the event, heshared in an Instagram postafter the rally, “We wanted to make a statement, and I think we did! It was great to see such a great turnout from our local Stunt community, local leadership, and actors who showed up to support us. It was a great day!”
SAG-AFTRA announced it had initiated a strike after failed contract negotiations with the AMPTP. SAG PresidentFran Drescherand Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director and chief negotiator of SAG-AFTRA, shared the news at a press conference,noting it was a unanimous vote.
“They plead poverty that they’re losing money left and right while giving hundreds of millions of dollars to their CEOs. It is disgusting. Shame on them. They stand on the wrong side of history at this very moment. We stand in solidarity in unprecedented unity,” Drescher said.
The AMPTP said in a statement earlier that day, “We are deeply disappointed that SAG-AFTRA has decided to walk away from negotiations. This is the Union’s choice, not ours. In doing so, it has dismissed our offer of historic pay and residual increases, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors' digital likenesses, and more.”
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“Rather than continuing to negotiate, SAG-AFTRA has put us on a course that will deepen the financial hardship for thousands who depend on the industry for their livelihoods. There are 160,000 members of SAG-AFTRA and over 11,000 members of the Writers Guild of America.”
source: people.com
