From what I’ve read about other movies, the key will be to have a script and be in production. Movies such as Justice League of America (per Variety) are rushing forward to get started ahead of the strike (if it happens). The key date appears to be April. You have to be started before April in order to keep working. If this characterization is correct, the strike should not affect HP6 filming.

Now this is my ignorance, but what are they striking about? I would hate to think it’s about their tiny paycheck…

Why would anyone plan a strike nine months in advance? Doesn’t make any sense to me.

I thought they were going to be done filming by May 2008?

Actually, one of the biggest issues is the DVD. If you are a DVD fan (which I am), one of the reasons to buy the actual DVD is to spend hours listening to the commentaries, behind the scenes, watch all the extras. Yes, you can do this with a rental but some of these extras take hours.

Well, the actors don’t get paid anything for the DVD. Nothing for their commentaries, nothing for blooper reels. Nadda, zip, zilch. In fact blooper reels often go missing from the DVD these days. Commentaries still seem to be there but often from the director. I’m not sure if the directors or writers get paid for extras on the DVD.

So, the DVD has become exceptionally profitable for the studios and the rest of the creative team is pushing back because they feel exploited. Look at the absolute explosion in TV show DVDs. Its far more than movies that are at stake.

Apparently the internet “rules” are also fuzzy.

In both cases, the more diverse mediums have really become a huge part of the industry and the existing arrangements for actors, directors, and writers are not up to date. The producers are hesitant to give up there new cash cow.

I’m hoping they resolve this quickly. In addition to the threat to films and TV, I’d like to see those commentaries, blooper reels, and extras expand versus wither.

I thought it was bad enough that post offices have strikes. Oh well, hopefully they would of finished filming HBP in spring 08.

Well, you know, money and all :\ I just hope HP isn’t affeted in the end.

I doubt it’ll affect filming, the director isn’t a member of the Director’s Guild of America. If Equity or BECTU called a strike there would be trouble! I’d imagine all the British actors over the age of 18 are members of Equity, possibly some of the younger actors have provisional membership.

They’d probably just leave any scenes that require script tweaks to be done when the strike is over, or just employ someone else to do script revisions. That happens a lot.

(If BECTU called a strike I’d still cross the picket to go to work, they don’t care if you’re a theatre technician only if you work in film/TV and can give them LOTS OF MONEY!)

This could actually affect NOT HBP but DH. HP movies are pretty much being done back to back arent they? Script wrting and pre production starts before the latest film is released. But SueB above gave a pretty good concise overview of the Potter films production and DVD (Thanks! that was actually quite educational!). Most of the team are not even part of the US guilds though (of course the backing producers are). It is scary when I hear thinggs like rushing a movie to meet early deadlines as quality is bound to suffer. So I keep my fingers crossed that the last 2 potter films will be unharmed and treated with as much loving care as the previous films have clearly been.

The guilds represent not only the rich and famous members but the other 90% as well. The strikes are usually to obtain better conditions for those members. Because of their obligation to the guild they must comply with its decision.

Don’t worry, Harry Potter is too big a franchise to be scrapped though delays may or may not happen. All else fails I will gladly act, write and direct for free! ^_

I am curious about this, as others have pointed out, prob nearly everyone working HP won’t be members of these guilds, so how does it affect? Wouldn’t it classed as a British production?

As a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild let me just say that before every newt contract negotiation there is talk of a possible strike. The vst majority of the time there isn’t one. And it ususally starts months before the old contract runs out and just before negotiations start. It’s a tactic that must be used to let the producers and the production companies know that we are, indeed, serious about getting our fair share. So you can relax for now.

However, if a strike does occur, sister unions – which include British Equity and IATSE (the technicians union) have been known not to cross the picket line. In fact some union will not allow their members to cross a sister union’s picket line. Those that do can, and have suffered severe penalties.

And as Lucien pointed out, the unions are negotiating for the 90% of members who don’t make the salaries that Dan, and Emma and Rupert make. That’s fine by me.

you are aware that filming for the movie will be wrapped by April or May in order to be released in November. the strike shouldn’t affect actual filming production, weather or not the purposed strike will affect post production on the film I can’t say

Most of the people who are a part of HP (acting and production team) have been a part of the Potter production for YEARS! Even as long as the first one. Everyone knows each other. Everyone’s friends with each other. I dont really think that the Potter team would strike…it just doesnt sound like them. =) Serina xxx

Very educational posters. I knew nothing about the business of making a movie.. Thanks