Impact of Hollywood strike on local theatres

The writers and actors strike continues in Hollywood.

They are citing the need for better wages and protections from Artificial Intelligence.

Stars from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and talent backed by the Writers Guild of America have joined forces in solidarity during the walkout.

The owner of The Movie Mill in Lethbridge, Leonard Binning, says the theatre will not be impacted short term but if the strike continues long term it could cause problems.

“It’s the first run theaters that are going to be hit hardest because you’re not going to see any press junkets, you’re not going to see any red carpet premieres because the actors are forbidden from promoting current films and all production has stopped now. Not a bad thing in that there’s a lot of product already ready to come down. But Hollywood might say we need to pump our brakes a little bit and slow our rollout if this is going to be a long strike.”

This is the first time since 1960 that the two unions have united for a strike when former President of the United States Ronald Reagan helped lead the charge as President of the Screen Actors Guild.