Already stunned by the strike of American screenwriters for two months, the filming industry in Montreal suffered a new blow on Thursday, when the union of Hollywood actors called a historic strike.
“It’s official, this strike will completely paralyze the production industry! exclaims one of the founders of MELS studios, Michel Trudel. This will have to be resolved quickly, especially for our workers here in Montreal. »
Like every year, Montreal hosts a large number of American productions, which are shot on the streets or in the studio. The scriptwriters’ strike had already put a stop to certain productions (Ghost, The Venery of Samantha Bird), leaving industry professionals on the alert. That of the authors’ union (SAG-AFTRA) puts all American productions on hold around the world.
According to the most recent data from AQTIS 514 IATSE, the union of image and sound technicians, the number of employees currently without a contract due to the screenwriters’ labor dispute stands at 800. phone, the president of AQTIS 514 IATSE, Christian Lemay, estimates that this number will increase “between 1200 and 1500” with the strike of Hollywood comedians.
“These are middle-class people, most of whom are freelancers,” emphasizes Christian Lemay. These people are making the bulk of their money right now, during the summer season. They are stressed to the point of working days of 12 to 15 hours. At this time of the year, they are supposed to have already worked two or three months. »
The last joint strike of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA dates back to 1960. The two groups could also form a tandem in the negotiations, which is likely to continue.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY AQTIS 514 IATSE
The director of AQTIS 514 IATSE, Christian Lemay
Our members tell us: there is stress. It gets to the point where you get asked if they should withdraw their retirement savings plan. Incomes are zero for those who depend on American productions.
Christian Lemay, President of AQTIS 514 IATSE
For her part, the president of the Union of Artists (UDA), Tania Kontoyanni, affirms that it is still too early to assess the extent of the repercussions that this strike will have on its members. However, it recognizes that they are inevitable, particularly for the dubbing sector in Quebec.
“The writers’ strike was already having repercussions here. Since some texts were not written, some productions were not shot. Result: in a few months, the productions that were supposed to be dubbed here in Montreal will not be since they have never been shot. »
Michel Trudel hopes that once the strike is over, production can resume without too much waiting time. “I hope the writers continue to write despite the fact that they are on strike. We will need content when everything is settled, because the production will resume at high speed.
Hope for the best, plan for the worst
Without American filming to get their teeth into, Quebec can fall back on local productions. “Since we have a large volume of production of Quebec series and our star system is very powerful, we manage to have a very active local French-speaking economy,” comments the vice-president and co-founder of Grandé Studio, Andrew Lapierre.
Same story on the side of Tania Kontoyanni.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Tania Kontoyanni, President of the UDA
The fact that certain American productions will not come to Montreal will free up studios for our productions here.
Tania Kontoyanni, President of the UDA
It is still necessary that there are enough local productions. “What will happen is that employees who are usually assigned to American productions will turn to local productions. We will therefore find ourselves in a context where we have more people ready for employment than we have jobs, ”fears Christian Lemay.
The weather could also be a factor that will play against filming that has been put on hold in Montreal. Unlike other places in the world, Quebec has four seasons with very large temperature variations. A series that was scheduled outside in June cannot be resumed in November.
“In Montreal, summer is a very busy time in our field,” explains Andrew Lapierre. If the strike lasts too long, filming could be canceled or moved to another country. »
Shared claims
Although it is a battle waged by two American unions, the demands of Hollywood screenwriters and authors resonate in Quebec.
“We support the current demands, declares Christian Lemay of AQTIS 514 IATSE. The negotiations will impact the industry globally. »
As for the Union of Artists, Tania Kontoyanni is categorical. “The UDA supports what is happening in Hollywood and we stand in solidarity with them. I would even say that we are inspired by what is happening and that gives us courage. »
The UDA is due to begin its own negotiations in the fall.