SAGAFTRA STRIKE The Rules Of What Influencers Can Can NOT Do
SAGAFTRA STRIKE The Rules Of What Influencers Can Can NOT Do
Transcript
00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:04 What's going on there, citizens of the Reject Nation?
00:06 Greg here today.
00:07 As all you guys are aware, there's
00:10 been a writer's strike going on.
00:11 And as of last week, the SAG strike is now happening.
00:15 There's some great videos that you guys can watch about it.
00:20 I myself just did a podcast with Paul,
00:22 Heavy Spoilers, our podcast across spoilers,
00:24 where we gave our very much impassioned discussion
00:27 about the SAG strike.
00:28 We are, of course, in support of the SAG strike.
00:31 If you want to watch just a great breakdown of it,
00:34 the best one that I've seen, I would have to say,
00:36 is Dan Merle's video of really breaking down
00:40 exactly what the SAG strike is completely all about.
00:43 It's really well-informed.
00:44 It's an entertaining one as well.
00:46 What I wanted to focus on today specifically
00:49 is what influencers can and cannot do in regards
00:53 to the SAG strike of what would be deemed OK
00:58 and acceptable and what would ultimately
01:00 be a violation going against the SAG strike order.
01:05 When you go online, you're going to see
01:07 like a whole bunch of discourse about what is OK
01:10 and what is not OK.
01:11 Are people allowed to review Barbie and Oppenheimer?
01:14 Can they do this?
01:15 Can they do that?
01:15 Like, what's all right?
01:17 What isn't all right?
01:18 And so what I've done, I spent a long time on this.
01:21 I have cross-referenced with the SAG strike order that
01:24 was sent out, the FAQ about influencers
01:27 that was sent out.
01:28 And then a little bit ago, Variety,
01:31 they just published an article where
01:32 they laid out even more rules.
01:34 They made it even clearer of what you can and cannot do.
01:38 And I also did speak with a publicist who's
01:40 really concerned about their clients.
01:41 They wanted to understand a lot of the rules.
01:42 And on top of that, too, I have been
01:44 talking with people who are members of SAG
01:46 who are also on press.
01:47 There's just a lot of different notes and all compilers.
01:50 So this is the best that I could do.
01:51 I just wanted to give a really straightforward kind
01:55 of reference breakdown sheet for you
01:58 all of everything I was able to gather between three
02:01 categories here.
02:01 The first category I'm going to talk about,
02:03 if you are a union influencer, if you are SAG,
02:07 and you are also an influencer, and also
02:09 if you're a non-union influencer.
02:11 And the third thing I want to talk about
02:12 is with all this information of how the real rejects wishes
02:16 to proceed moving forward.
02:18 So with that in mind, if you guys can leave a like
02:20 on this video, that'd be very much appreciated.
02:22 I'm going to be incredibly direct with you all.
02:25 I know normally I go off the dome,
02:26 but I just kind of made a bunch of notes.
02:28 And I just want to make something
02:29 that could be a solid reference for everyone.
02:31 Because yes, this would be good if you are an influencer
02:34 and you are concerned about this.
02:35 Secondly, there's a lot of viewers out there
02:38 who want to make sure that their influencers are following
02:43 the guidelines here.
02:44 And I know some won't care at all.
02:46 But for those who do care, this is for you.
02:48 Lastly, at the same time, if I happen
02:50 to get anything blatantly wrong, please do the YouTube thing.
02:53 Be calm and police, because some stuff is not entirely clear
02:58 and that's why Variety even had to put out that article
03:01 where SAG had to elaborate even more.
03:03 And there's some stuff that does require
03:05 further elaboration, but based off my research,
03:08 this is the best I could find.
03:09 But like I said, if there's anything I get definitively,
03:12 no, that's completely wrong.
03:13 I want you to correct me.
03:14 And I want that comment to be highlighted.
03:15 That way people will see the right thing.
03:18 Alrighty, so let's get to it.
03:19 If you are an influencer, here's what you can do.
03:20 You can do commercial works, which is brand deals
03:23 that align with SAG-AFTRA rules.
03:25 So essentially, you can work with brands
03:27 you usually collaborate with,
03:28 as long as you follow the union's rules.
03:30 However, if a brand deal involves a company
03:33 currently on strike, contact influencer@sagaftra.org
03:36 to make sure you're on the right track.
03:37 Okay, and here's an important one as well,
03:39 'cause if you happen to see an influencer
03:40 promoting a product that is from
03:43 one of these struck companies,
03:45 one thing you wanna make sure of,
03:46 if it's something that is a concern of you,
03:48 is did they get this deal
03:49 before the strike officially happened?
03:51 'Cause they can carry out existing contracts
03:53 with struck companies, but they can't take on new ones.
03:55 So basically, if you've agreed to promote a struck company
03:58 before the strike began, stick to your word,
04:00 but don't start new projects
04:02 with these companies during the strike.
04:03 Actually, we're in that boat right now, I just remembered,
04:05 is that we have three brand deals, I wanna say,
04:09 that we have already submitted for,
04:11 that we've already got the edit done for them now.
04:14 It's just been like, okay, we're waiting for you to go,
04:16 yep, post it.
04:17 That was a couple weeks ago,
04:19 and as many YouTubers will tell you,
04:21 some brands, they take like six weeks
04:23 to finally be like, all right.
04:24 But we're already in contract with them,
04:26 but during the strike,
04:27 we've already told our brand manager
04:29 that for the remainder of the strike,
04:30 while it's happening,
04:31 to not accept anything that comes in from a studio.
04:34 So wanna hold me accountable,
04:36 I believe it's three that we've got.
04:38 You can keep creating and posting content,
04:40 as long as it's not about the work on strike.
04:42 Continue sharing your usual content,
04:43 just avoid discussing the companies or work on strike.
04:46 All right, so here's what you can't do.
04:48 Take on new jobs to promote struck companies.
04:51 Simply put, avoid starting new collaborations
04:53 that involve promoting content from companies
04:56 currently on strike.
04:57 What you'll discover here is most of this
04:58 is gonna boil down to just don't promote shit for them.
05:01 I know that part gets a little bit like,
05:03 wait, but what does that mean, promote?
05:05 It'll go into more details.
05:06 You can't post about any work on strike,
05:08 whether you're paid or not.
05:10 This means avoiding the promotion of struck companies'
05:12 content on your social platforms.
05:14 Cannot participate in events like Comic-Con
05:16 to promote struck companies or work.
05:18 You can go to these events,
05:19 but don't engage in promoting the struck work there.
05:22 Real rejects, we do have a Comic-Con panel coming up
05:25 that we did agree to a long time ago.
05:28 We gotta do that, but it's not for like a studio
05:30 or anything of that sort, either way.
05:32 Well, it should just be business as usual.
05:34 This part's the one that I see a lot of debate over.
05:37 You cannot take part in activities like cosplay
05:39 of characters from struck work.
05:40 Basically, avoid promoting struck companies
05:42 through your character portrayal.
05:44 So yeah, like I think it takes a lot of cosplay
05:48 out the window at that point.
05:49 From the sound of it, it sounds like if you are stuck,
05:52 they really want you to not to be doing cosplay.
05:56 If you're non-union, that they're more like,
05:58 sure, go ahead.
05:59 But yeah, either way, I mean,
06:02 I just don't think it's an interesting one to lay down.
06:06 So then the big question that was asked here
06:08 on the FAQ page was, how does this apply to me
06:11 if I'm a non-union influencer?
06:13 Any non-member seeking future membership in SAG-AFTRA
06:15 who performs covered work or services
06:17 for a struck company during the strike
06:19 will not be admitted into membership in SAG-AFTRA.
06:23 All right, so what does this mean exactly?
06:25 First off, really, if you're not interested
06:27 in any of the SAG-AFTRA business and you are an influencer,
06:30 you can really do whatever you want.
06:33 It's your choice.
06:34 So I'm speaking to those who are not union,
06:36 who still care to not break violations,
06:39 still wanna make sure that they can one day
06:40 be eligible to be SAG.
06:41 And if you're not an influencer,
06:42 I'm also speaking to those who care to see
06:44 if the influencers they follow
06:45 are following the rules laid out.
06:47 A lot of it comes down to is if you wanna make sure
06:49 you can still be part of SAG in the future.
06:51 But the thing that they specify that you cannot do
06:53 is do covered work for a struck company
06:55 if you're planning to join SAG-AFTRA.
06:57 Essentially, if you hope to join the union one day,
07:00 avoid working with struck companies.
07:03 So what does covered work entail?
07:04 What does that actually mean,
07:06 especially based off of their guidelines
07:07 and without me just giving you
07:08 essentially a whole bunch of exposition here.
07:10 Mainly what it comes down to is avoid
07:12 any and all promotional work
07:13 when it comes to working with studios,
07:15 which usually involves a financial transaction
07:17 of some sort, an official agreement,
07:19 whether that be, "Hey, come attend this influencer event
07:24 where we're gonna give you free food and drinks.
07:27 And all you gotta do is post about our movie."
07:29 Just some kind of mutual understanding
07:31 that you are actively working to help promote the movie.
07:35 And yes, of course, don't act in anything.
07:39 The obvious stuff of not to do,
07:41 like don't do any of that stuff,
07:43 like auditions for struck projects and all that.
07:45 So yeah, don't do any of that.
07:47 But in terms of the promotional work,
07:49 that's the main thing you gotta be concerned about
07:51 'cause here's where people were often getting confused on,
07:54 but do reviews quantify as that?
07:56 I'll go into that in just a tiny bit.
07:57 So essentially, covered work, what it could be,
07:59 promoting a struck company's content,
08:01 attending events to promote a struck company,
08:02 like a movie premiere,
08:03 participating in a campaign
08:05 that indirectly promotes a struck company.
08:07 And while they made it crystal clear on some things here,
08:09 there is one statement that they did put out
08:10 that I'm glad they did
08:11 because some stuff does perhaps
08:12 require some more clarification.
08:14 'Cause when asked what happens if I break the strike rules,
08:16 the answer was, "If you do it inadvertently,
08:18 someone will probably tap you on the shoulder
08:19 and remind you not to do it again.
08:21 But the union absolutely has the power
08:23 to enforce its strike rules.
08:24 Penalties may include censor, reprimand,
08:26 fine, suspension, and/or expulsion.
08:28 If you are not a member and perform struck work,
08:31 you will be barred from joining the union in the future."
08:33 Well, that ends on a really dark note.
08:35 Originally, it was sounding like,
08:37 "If you do anything wrongly,
08:38 you're gonna be barred permanently."
08:39 Bottom line is a lot of us influencers,
08:41 a lot of people are just trying their best right now.
08:43 A lot of people who really do care about it
08:45 are trying their best.
08:46 And at the end of the day,
08:47 if you do believe you're doing what is within your right
08:50 and it's not a violation of the strike rules,
08:53 I don't think you have to worry about
08:55 being banished to hell right away.
08:57 Okay, now let's talk about real rejects.
09:00 Because our channel essentially does the main variety
09:02 of what other channels also do,
09:04 even if it's not specifically like,
09:06 "Hey, an Easter egg breakdown," or whatever,
09:08 it's still essentially in the similar categories.
09:11 So all right, like a lot of people know,
09:13 I'm not the biggest fan of the word,
09:14 I have nothing against influencers whatsoever.
09:16 I'm one of them, but I just don't really like
09:18 that word too much.
09:19 But at the end of the day, I am that,
09:20 and that's my category.
09:22 Now, our other category is entertainment journalist.
09:24 That's why we've been on press list for so many years.
09:26 That's what we are qualified as on the press list.
09:29 Sometimes there's like an influencer press list,
09:30 and then there's a entertainment journalist press list,
09:33 and we're always on the entertainment journalist press list.
09:35 Because at the end of the day, all of our content
09:37 is created for purposes of commentary,
09:38 analysis, and a review.
09:40 So if you're one of those channels as well,
09:42 where your content is created for those purposes,
09:45 then I feel like this will all be applicable for you.
09:47 So when looking at the categories here,
09:48 let's talk about movie reviews.
09:50 So reviews, they serve as a journalistic role.
09:53 The whole point is to provide impartial critique
09:56 rather than promotion.
09:57 Like the whole point is to offer analysis to help viewers,
09:59 you know, choose what to watch, or encourage,
10:03 or discourage, you know, however it may be.
10:05 What's really essential though,
10:06 is that reviewers don't accept payment for positive reviews.
10:11 I mean, I don't feel like you should ever do that,
10:13 just in general.
10:14 Especially now, don't expect payment for positive reviews
10:17 from struck companies,
10:18 as this would completely enter that promotional territory.
10:22 And the Variety article, they cleared this up like crystal.
10:25 When asked, "I'm a film critic, can I review movies?"
10:27 The answer was, "Absolutely.
10:28 Critics are not on strike and are not obligated
10:30 to stop reviewing movies or TV shows."
10:32 That clears that up.
10:32 Followed up with, "I'm an entertainment journalist,
10:35 can I cover movies and TV?"
10:36 Yes, entertainment journalists,
10:38 whether they belong to a union or not, are not on strike.
10:41 Even those broadcast journalists
10:43 who are represented by SAG-AFTRA are not affected,
10:47 as the strike relates only to the TV theatrical contract.
10:51 So there you have it.
10:52 Reviews are okay.
10:53 There was a question in there
10:54 that was starting to confuse some people,
10:55 that was about influencers.
10:56 Can influencers promote a movie?
10:58 Again, that question was about,
11:00 can influencers promote a category of covered services
11:04 or covered work?
11:05 Which obviously, that right there, that's the big no-no.
11:08 When researching into movie news,
11:10 reporting movie news should be acceptable,
11:12 because the whole point is it aims
11:13 to inform the public, right?
11:14 Not to promote struck companies.
11:16 So again, impartial news coverage
11:19 that doesn't favor struck companies
11:21 doesn't violate strike rules.
11:23 All right, trailer reactions and reviews.
11:24 These are usually seen as commentary or critique
11:27 that generally falls under fair use laws.
11:29 It's about whatever the music companies
11:30 are always fighting with on those trailers.
11:32 Like the whole point is to help encourage
11:35 or help viewers to understand what to expect
11:37 from a film or a show.
11:38 And they don't inherently promote struck companies.
11:41 So that should be okay.
11:42 Movie and TV show reactions.
11:44 So if you're doing episode reactions or a movie reaction,
11:46 of course, this is all like really much edited, cut up.
11:50 It always leads into a full-on review.
11:52 The main purpose of a reaction video
11:54 is for entertainment, commentary,
11:56 to spur a conversation about the content.
11:58 And of course, the movie and TV show
12:00 are always to support the other half of the video.
12:03 Review, the analysis section.
12:04 As long as these reactions aren't endorsing
12:07 or promoting a struck company,
12:09 they're generally acceptable.
12:10 And then from everything I can see and read up on
12:13 as what's been laid out here in the Variety article,
12:15 and knowing that there are SAG members in the press
12:20 who have been going to press screenings,
12:22 you are an entertainment journalist.
12:23 You can still review movies, cover movies,
12:25 and attend press screenings.
12:27 Initially, I was like, I feel like we're not supposed to.
12:30 I don't know.
12:31 Like I was on the fence about Oppenheimer, for example.
12:34 But from the updates and from talking with other people
12:36 who are actually SAG, seems like that's actually okay.
12:39 Because even in a strike situation,
12:41 your attendance at a press screening
12:44 doesn't equate to promoting the struck company
12:47 or its product.
12:48 The whole point is to be there as an impartial observer,
12:50 delivering information, analysis, or critique,
12:53 the usual, to the public.
12:55 And it's crucial to maintain this distance and objectivity,
12:57 I think even if there's not a strike,
12:59 that's crucial to avoid any appearance
13:01 of endorsement or promotion.
13:03 As a strike, what it mostly targets is promotional work,
13:06 typically covered under SAG-AFCRA.
13:08 So from what I can see, and this is like,
13:10 more than just like conversations,
13:12 it has been a lot of research.
13:13 From what I can see, we can proceed as normal.
13:16 We just, we can't do any promotional things.
13:18 We can't be like, hey, we wanna use your footage
13:21 that we saw you do of something
13:23 and use it in our advertising.
13:24 We can't say any, agree to any of that.
13:26 We can't do anything like,
13:27 hey, we wanna send you this Spider-Man hat,
13:29 but at the end of the day,
13:30 that's gonna get approved from Disney.
13:32 Like, can't do that.
13:32 So, you know, there's a whole bunch of things
13:34 that are basically boiled down to
13:36 just don't do promotional work for them.
13:38 And obviously don't do any gigs or auditions
13:41 or anything that relate to participating
13:44 in one of the struck company's movies or whatever.
13:46 So of course we are maintaining an awareness
13:48 and we do care to be supportive because frankly,
13:51 the fact of how the AMPTP is treating our writers
13:54 and actors is a total bullshit.
13:57 Deep dive a lot into it on that podcast I did with Paul.
13:59 It's not what this video is about,
14:00 but yeah, if you wanna hear more about my opinions on that,
14:02 please go ahead and check that out.
14:03 And at the day, I firmly believe that
14:06 what they're fighting for
14:07 is exactly what they should be fighting for.
14:09 So if we do anything that truly steps out of bounds,
14:12 we'll do our best to correct it.
14:13 Anyway, hope this information helps.
14:15 You just let me know if it does.
14:18 Leave their thoughts down below
14:19 on how you've been feeling about the SAG strike
14:21 and all that.
14:22 Learn that.
14:23 I'll talk with you guys soon.
14:24 Thanks so much for being here.
14:25 (upbeat music)
14:27 (upbeat music)