Screen Actors Guild to Vote on Strike January 2nd

It seems that we're just getting past the infamous writers strike of last year, and now a new strike is potentially waiting on the horizon.

When the screen writers when on strike in 2007, the most pressing issues to be resolved revolved around peripheral income streams like the Internet and DVD sales -- and the ongoing compensation structures for each. Traditionally, studios paid the writers for their work on original programming, then the studios retained the rights to re-distribute the works via other mediums without paying the writers.

It seems a similar scenario is unfolding now with the Screen Actors Guild and Hollywood studios' reluctance to divvy up even more of their profits to appease the actors that star in their productions. Screen Actors Guild members will be authorized to vote beginning on January 2, 2009 to determine whether they will continue working or if they will go on strike until new deals can be reached. Votes are to be counted on January 23rd and a 75% majority is required in order for a strike to occur.

In an effort to stockpile content for an anticipated strike period, studios have been ramping up production schedule. It is unclear at this point which projects will be most impacted should a strike occur. Most industry experts are anticipating a strike, but considering the similarities between this dispute and the writers' strike of a year ago, it is likely that terms can be reached fairly quickly. The strike period itself will probably represent a negotiation period and it is unlikely that the casual observer of television and movies will realize any impact from its existence