Posts tagged reality TV
Strikes Drop LA Film/TV Production to Near Record Lows
January 22, 2024 // Feature film production also dropped steeply last quarter, with a 57.5% decrease to 323 SD. Most Feature projects in production this summer were smaller, independent productions, among a few moving forward under SAG-AFTRA interim agreements. Three independent Features in production last quarter were associated with the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program; the films Hurricana, Shell and Starstruck together generated a total of 28 SD. Unaffected by the strikes but trending lower due to runway production, filming for web and television Commercials slipped last quarter with a 9.9% YoY drop to 746 SD. Commercials made in LA included automobile ads for BMW, Chevy, Honda, Lincoln, Nissan and Toyota. Retailers such as Best Buy, Walmart and Walgreens also shot spots locally.
A Big Year for Labor, But Not for Reality TV Workers
January 1, 2024 // Non-fiction field and story producers have cheered gains made by the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA in their deals with studios, but also have noticed that they’re one of the only departments unprotected by a union even on unionized sets.
Lisa Vanderpump questions push to unionize reality TV stars ‘plucked from obscurity’
August 21, 2023 // "One of the great things about reality shows is that they've always been able to be produced for less money than scripted shows," Vanderpump said. "And I don't really understand how you can have a union for people that are normally plucked out of obscurity." Vanderpump has been a cast member and executive producer on "Vanderpump Rules" since 2013, when it debuted as a spinoff of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," which she starred in from 2010 to 2019. "You know, I'm very happy with what I've been paid over the years. I think the first season is always like an audition and then it's what you make of it, you know?" Vanderpump explained.
No, Reality TV Isn’t Thriving During Industry Strikes
August 4, 2023 // The dual strikes are also raising more awareness about working conditions across the industry, in recent weeks prompting people like The Real Housewives of New York’s Bethenny Frankel and Selling Sunset’s Mary Bonnet to speak in support of creating a union for reality TV performers. One anonymous producer tells The Hollywood Reporter that several producers have spoken out in support of unionizing as well, but because there is currently a lull in work opportunities, most producers are currently more focused on finding jobs and getting a paycheck than organizing for better working conditions.