Xeeis —The 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival recently commenced amidst a striking silence in Hollywood. The usually dazzling red carpet affair has been subdued due to an ongoing actors’ strike, which has left the industry at a standstill.
Venice is a prominent event on the film festival circuit, often considered the launching pad for Oscar-worthy films. It’s also a platform for some of fashion’s most iconic moments, like Lady Gaga’s memorable entrance in a voluminous pink Valentino Haute Couture gown in 2018 and Zendaya’s stunning appearance in a nude, body-hugging Balmain outfit in 2021.
The strikes, led by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), center around issues such as residuals, higher wages, and the use of artificial intelligence. These strikes have prohibited actors from promoting their films, resulting in a reduction in both film premieres and celebrity attendees at major festivals. For example, Zendaya’s film “Challengers” was scheduled to open the Venice Film Festival but was pulled at the last minute, with a postponed spring opening instead.
The repercussions of these diminished red carpet events extend beyond the film industry. Film festivals serve as powerful marketing platforms where movies, celebrities, and luxury brands converge to create massive opportunities. Many top celebrities hold brand ambassador roles for labels, often involving high-profile events like film premieres and red carpets. However, these opportunities have significantly dwindled due to the strikes.
The effects of the strikes are reminiscent of the challenges posed by the pandemic. Celebrity hair and makeup teams, typically reliant on red carpet appearances and film festivals for a substantial part of their income, are feeling the financial strain. While they support the strike’s goals, many cannot afford to face extended periods of unemployment.
Rachel Goodwin, a veteran Hollywood makeup artist, who often works with actors during film festivals and on the red carpet, shared her perspective. She had been slated to accompany actor Emma Stone to Venice to promote the film “Poor Things,” but with the strike in effect, celebrities no longer require her services. She noted, “We just went through the pandemic, that’s why it (the strike) feels like a particularly harsh blow. We live in a feast or famine (reality), and people are very scared.”
Hairstylist Nai’vasha, known for her work on red carpets and with celebrities like Tracee Ellis Ross, Lupita Nyong’o, and Nicole Ari Parker, expressed uncertainty about how long this period of disruption will last. She had plans to work at the Venice Film Festival this season but decided against it due to the strike. She lamented, “My heart breaks for us all right now.”
The strike’s impact was swift and severe for many in the industry. Groomer and makeup artist Kerrie Urban, who usually travels the world with celebrities for high-profile events, shared that a whole month of work vanished from her calendar on the first day of the strike on July 14. She emphasized that her career is heavily reliant on celebrities and actors for about 90% of her work, primarily on red carpets, press events, premieres, and promotions.
Despite the setbacks, Urban fully supports the strikes, understanding the importance of fair compensation for everyone involved. She remains optimistic, drawing from the lessons of patience learned during the pandemic. She believes that the entertainment industry will eventually rebound, driven by the audience’s desire for entertainment.
Several artists have already pivoted away from entertainment to related industries like music, fashion, and social media. Ro Morgan, hairstylist to stars like Naomi Campbell, Venus Williams, and Ayo Edebiri, is unfazed by the lack of work due to the absence of red carpets. Having started his career in the fashion industry, he is now gearing up for Milan and Paris fashion weeks, where he expects more opportunities.
Nai’vasha also plans to participate in fashion month and work on editorials to fill her fall calendar. She emphasized that during this time, there will be a significant focus on fashion and beauty, making it an ideal period for shooting campaigns and commercials. Celebrities can still interact with brands in these contexts.
While the strike guidelines restrict commercial promotional work for film or TV projects, they do not prohibit other opportunities such as fashion week appearances, brand campaigns, and sporting events. With many actors seeking new outlets to fulfill their brand commitments during the strike, Fashion Month offers a viable alternative to film festival red carpets. The upcoming fashion month, starting in New York is set to provide a valuable platform for brands and celebrities to maintain their visibility and relevance.
However, the strikes have cast a glaring spotlight on wage disparities and the unequal treatment of a significant portion of the creative workforce in America. With no clear resolution in sight, as the pared-back Venice festival concludes and the Toronto International Film Festival commences, the situation is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Rachel Goodwin summed up the situation, saying, “Ultimately, this is a business, so the money will go wherever the people’s attention goes. I hope people still want to see their favorite stars on the red carpet talking about their projects. We still want to dream, and that’s my job—to help people dream a little.”