Equity Rules Allows House of the Dragon to Continue Production

The commencement of the SAG-AFTRA strike has taken a new turn, impacting the production of several films and television series. This situation has led to the evacuation of film and television sets across the United States, leaving uncertainty about the duration of the blackout.



Union limitations have prevented actors from promoting their upcoming films, leading many to leave conferences and participate in picket lines. Notable celebrities have also expressed pro-union sentiments in support of the strike.

Despite the ongoing strike, the production of HBO’s House of the Dragon will continue due to location-specific formalities allowing the cameras to keep rolling.

The SAG-AFTRA union, representing approximately 160,000 Hollywood actors and media workers, formally initiated the strike on July 14, joining forces with the WGA, which had been on strike since May. This joint action marked only the second time in history that the two unions united for an industry-wide closure, the first instance being in 1960.

The strike decision came unanimously after contract discussions with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to yield an agreement by the July 12 deadline. The production standstill not only affects the entertainment business but also carries economic repercussions.

The SAG-AFTRA union's concerns revolve around streaming and artificial intelligence. They are seeking increased remuneration and streaming residual pay to recognize members' efforts, protection against AI-generated likeness, and regulation of self-taped auditions.

The entertainment sector in the United States faced a blackout due to the strike, raising fears about the Game of Thrones prequel's fate. However, sources confirmed that production for House of the Dragon would continue without disruption.

The majority of the HBO series' cast comprises British actors, all of whom are covered by Equity, the local union. As a result, the series is constitutionally authorized to continue production under Equity, as its members are prohibited from striking in solidarity with the US union.

Equity, with its 47,000 members, offered strike instructions to support SAG-AFTRA just before their strike was declared, stating that they would assist SAG-AFTRA and its members by all lawful means.

Equity UK's cautionary statement mentioned that performers joining the strike (or refusing to cross picket lines) would not be protected against dismissal or legal action for breach of contract by the producer or engager. Likewise, if Equity encourages anyone to join the strike or avoid crossing picket lines, the organization would be acting unlawfully and could be liable for damages or an injunction.

As the United Kingdom's 12th largest trade union, Equity represents various significant segments of the entertainment industry, including actors, singers, dancers, designers, directors, stage managers, and voice artists.

Insiders reveal that the UK's stringent union statutes have prevented Equity from staging a large-scale demonstration of solidarity with SAG-AFTRA due to restrictive British regulations. Nevertheless, Equity proposed alternatives that allow House of Dragon performers to continue their work. Equity members not belonging to SAG-AFTRA, working on Equity contracts for US producers in the UK, can continue working without fear of termination or lawsuits from the producer.

Similar rules apply to SAG-AFTRA members who are not part of Equity in a similar production. SAG-AFTRA members with equity contracts under the Global 1 rule are advised to continue their work. According to Global Rule 1, SAG-AFTRA members are not allowed to work on any projects worldwide that are not covered by a SAG-AFTRA agreement. In complex situations, performers should seek assistance from SAG-AFTRA.

The HBO television series House of the Dragon, based on George R.R. Martin’s book “Fire and Blood,” serves as a precursor to the renowned show Game of Thrones. The second season's filming began on April 11 at Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios and is directed by Ryan Condal. It received eight primetime Emmy nominations, which were announced on Wednesday, just hours before the AMPTP's contract with SAG-AFTRA ended.

Due to strike guidelines, WGA members working overseas had to suspend their work on projects under the union's supervision if any active writing was involved. This situation hindered numerous US projects being shot in the UK. Fortunately, HBO had completed the screenplays for House of the Dragon, enabling production to resume.

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