The Cinemania Society’s Statement of Solidarity

Today, in lieu of your usual episode, we members of the Cinemania Society are releasing a statement of solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and the Writer’s Guild of America. The Cinemania Society, LLC has an active SAG contract, which means those in our group who aren’t already full SAG members are at least SAG-eligible. While we self-produce our show, we do not wish to create even the impression of crossing the picket line. Unfortunately, this means there will be no new episode for our listeners this week. If you’re unhappy with this outcome, we suggest you direct your complaints to the AMPTP who could end this strike whenever they wanted.

 

This strike isn’t “greedy, spoiled actors,” it isn’t about the 1 percenters like Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt. Only 13% of SAG members make the minimum $26,000 per year to have access to the SAG health plan…meaning most actors live check to check like the rest of us, and their checks are exceedingly small. Studio execs make 300 to 400 times what their lowest-paid workers make. In the ‘80s, no exec made more than 30 times their lowest-paid worker. If studios were capable of making some of the best and most iconic movies in history with only that level of pay inequity, they can do it again.

 

If you like our show, we encourage you to show your support in other ways. If you’re near a SAG-AFTRA picket line, consider picking up a sign and marching alongside the workers in solidarity. They’ll appreciate it. Or you can donate food, water, and first aid supplies to the marchers. You can also donate to funds set up to support workers through their strike – because while actors and writers are marching, they’re not earning, and everyone still has to buy groceries and make their rent or mortgage payments.

 

Some of these funds include:

The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly the Actors’ Fund)

The Motion Picture and Television Fund

The Hollywood Support Staff Relief Fund

or the Union Solidarity Coalition

 

The Cinemania Society will return soon. We thank you for your understanding and support.