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Breaking Barriers: Bryan Cranston Delivers Fiery Strike Speech Aimed At Disney CEO

The Emmy-winning actor had harsh words for Bob Iger.

By David Wolinsky on July 25, 2023 at 11:05AM PDT

During a SAG-AFTRA protest rally in Times Square on Tuesday, Bryan Cranston delivered an impassioned speech, addressing the ongoing strike and directing a message at Disney CEO Bob Iger. The rally, known as "Rock the City for a Fair Contract," saw hundreds of striking SAG-AFTRA members and union supporters gathering in New York City.

According to Variety, Cranston's speech emphasized the importance of preserving the dignity and right to work for actors, despite the changing landscape of the entertainment industry. He expressed concerns over the potential threat of artificial intelligence taking away jobs and reducing casting costs, a key issue in the negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

In his address to Iger, whose Disney contract had been extended through 2026 just the day before the strike began, Cranston said, "I know, sir, that you look [at] things through a different lens. We don’t expect you to understand who we are. But we ask you to hear us, and beyond that to listen to us when we tell you we will not be having our jobs taken away and given to robots. We will not have you take away our right to work and earn a decent living. And lastly, and most importantly, we will not allow you to take away our dignity! We are union through and through, all the way to the end!"

Cranston--who is technically currently taking time off from work--further highlighted the need for the AMPTP to adapt to modern times and address current concerns, such as streaming residuals and the increasing use of AI as a storytelling tool. Cranston emphasized that the industry has changed significantly in recent years, and it is vital to move forward rather than cling to outdated economic systems.

Among the other attendees at the rally were Steve Buscemi, Wendell Pierce, Christian Slater, Christine Baranski, Stephen Lang, Tituss Burgess, Michael Shannon, BD Wong, Brendan Fraser, Jessica Chastain, Matt Bomer, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Corey Stoll.

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Disney is a joke. Just an IP/franchise churning machine with ZERO creativity, originality or artistic integrity. I'd rather watch paint dry than see another hollow, empty Disney franchise or IP film- that includes all the Marvel and Star Wars nonsense, the stupid live action remakes of their cartoons (why do we need these?) AND the terrible legacy sequels they churn out. Its time for this all to die to make way for some REAL cinema. It won't happen, since the average movie goer is dumber than a bag of rocks, but a man can dream of a better world.

2 • 1 year ago

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But what if I, as a consumer, generally support AI development in entertainment. A week ago I've heard that actors protest using their CG likeness in a production, which is understandable. Your face, your image belongs to you and using it without your permission is obviously illegal. But this news piece make it sound like they're protesting using digital actors altogether? Well, that's not their call to make. If the techology is there, the directors and the producers have a right to use if that's how they see the creative/production process. And I'm pretty sure we will get there if the financial demands of striking actors are to be even partially satisfied.

2 • 1 year ago

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@allcaps44: if memory serves, they used digital CGI "extras" for far-away shots of battle scenes in the LOTR movies, which isn't AI. That I'm aware of, no one has complained about this. They're complaining about contract provisions that require them to sell their likeness. They're complaining about people using things like ChaptGPT to write scripts for them, and as a consumer that is definitely something you should be worried about.

3 • 1 year ago

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@id0ntkn0w7 said:

@allcaps44: if memory serves, they used digital CGI "extras" for far-away shots of battle scenes in the LOTR movies, which isn't AI. That I'm aware of, no one has complained about this. They're complaining about contract provisions that require them to sell their likeness. They're complaining about people using things like ChaptGPT to write scripts for them, and as a consumer that is definitely something you should be worried about.

If Uwe Boll can direct movies i don't see why ChatGPT couldn't write scripts...

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@der_freischutz: because you can bring up an example of one of the worst conscious filmmakers we should allow something that isn't even sapient to write screenplays?

I mean, if your goal is more crap, then I guess sure

3 • 1 year ago

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@id0ntkn0w7: the day that ChatGPT movies are released in cinemas is the day I stop watching movies altogether. Unless AI can become self aware and feel emotions, these will not be real films.

3 • 1 year ago

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Edited By ID0ntKn0w7

@BxMxS2004: with the strikes and the looming threat of AI and the continual push towards homogenous grey monotony of these streamers, it's a great time to unplug. Learn an instrument, pick up a book, maybe get laid. Most TV sucks anyway

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@id0ntkn0w7: But I personally like AI technology and would like to see it go far without being obstructed by strikers. Sure, chatgpt will write you crappy scripts at the moment, but so will many human writers, lol. There are way too many uninspired formulaic shows. I also support the writers/actors right for decent pay, but I wouldn't want to see streaming services suddenly doubling in price. That what worries me the most, not the AI co-star in some show, nor a portion of dialogues written by a computer. Something's gotta give and AI might be a decent solution

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@allcaps44: If you're tired of uninspired formulaic shows, then strap on your seatbelts because AI ain't gonna do any better. You ever used AI currently to give you premises and plot points? At its best it's around the level of a crappy scriptwriter who's just in it for the money. It might help generate ideas and scripts, but you'll need a human writer and storyteller to give it the soul and chaos.

Sure perhaps in the future AI can tell better stories. But seeing as how the inner workings of AI is based on regurgitating information in new ways, I'd say human writers would always be preferable. Just... stop hiring shitty writers -_-

If the studios are choosing to lean into AI, then we best be prepared for a 5 year stint of really... reaaaaaally shitty films, before they realise it's best to let people do people work again.

2 • 1 year ago

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@hippobutt: What AI generated scripts need are human editors. Editing is a less time-consuming job than writing, so this can still be a cost-effective arrangement with decent creative results.

But, anyway, I was mostly reacting to Bryan Cranston's dramatic tone. Words like 'dignity' were thrown around, and I personally, on an emotional level, find AI development cool and exciting, not undignifying.

Oh, and I do believe these strikes, if succesful, will have an effect on the prices we pay for streaming. Where will the money come from? It's either executives sharing from their cut or us paying more. Or some cuts to production costs (AI assisted for example), but those are protested too.

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@allcaps44: streaming service price hikes have nothing to do with actors or writers. They are the services' response to declining popularity, itself a response to their own poor handling of their content.

HBO took forever to catch up and stream content in 4K and HDR, yet they charged a premium. Then they sold it all to Discovery, the new guy came in and axed all of the scifi shows, refocused on braindead reality TV, and thought it was a good idea to ditch the name everybody knows. Now HBO isn't even HBO anymore.

Even if so-called AI does make it cheaper for them, if you think these assholes are going to pass the savings on to you when they won't even pay their actors and writers then you are breathlessly naive

3 • 1 year ago

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@id0ntkn0w7: Just about.

Were it not for my mother, I'd have cut Netflix entirely. I rarely use it myself and mostly watch YouTube or Twitch or Kick.

What needs to happen is that writers need to stop being regarded as a fast-food product. You hire with a McDonald's mi dset, you get that quality of product. Paying the writers more and being choosier about who is writing a project will lead to better content.

And cool it with the sequels. Taking no risks is a risk itself now.

2 • 1 year ago

Use your keyboard!

ESC

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