Strikes in Hollywood threaten the Canadian film and television industry
Nova Scotia's movie industry may be under attack this summer.
On May 2 of this year, members of the Writers Guild of America walked off their jobs. Now members of the union representing actors are going to do the same if the major studios do not establish a dialog with them.
A potential strike could hit Nova Scotia hard. For the past few years, every summer season many Hollywood studios have come to the province to shoot their productions for television and movie distribution. This has provided jobs for hundreds of people in the province and boosted Nova Scotia's economy. And 2023 was to be no exception.
But for some local actors, this year's filming season hasn't been particularly productive so far. That's because the production of movies and television shows filmed in Nova Scotia, but dependent on the work of writers and actors from the U.S., can't move forward.
Dale Willman is a Nova Scotian actress who has been in the television and film industry for 13 years. She is starring in a supporting role in the American horror series "From", the shooting of the third season of which was supposed to take place in Nova Scotia, but was postponed. In an interview with the CBC, Dale revealed that if filming doesn't start soon, she could lose a significant portion of her earnings.
"I'm not going to make enough money, I'm more concerned about not making the amount of money I need to keep my medical and dental coverage," Willman shares.
Shelley Bibby, a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union representing film crews in Nova Scotia, said several Canadian films with small budgets have started shooting in the province. However, she said the largest number of local film industry workers get jobs when they come to Nova Scotia to make movies for American studios with actors from the United States.
The full article is only available to members of the Immigrant.Today community. Log in to your account to read it for free.
