In seminars with casting directors or on the convention floor at the Universal City Hilton, people fretted more about getting the best audition, head shot or demo reel. But under the surface lurked fear that a writers' walkout on May 2, and a separate strike by the Screen Actors Guild on June 30, could dash their dreams. Like many at Actorfest, the Irish actor does not belong to SAG but believes his future in Hollywood may rest on the outcome of the union's negotiations with the studios. The Writers Guild of America and producers alliance have until May 1 to agree on a new contract.
Negotiations are well under way.
SAG leaders planned to meet this weekend to draft their formal demands, leaving few at Actorfest with more than rumor and speculation to go on. As a nonunion actor, Robert DeLillo does not see an opportunity for extra work if SAG strikes, a lesson he learned in last year's six-month commercial actors strike. The commercial actors strike cost David Yarbrough three months of work. As supervisor of new membership for SAG, Steve Dryden said about 20 people asked him how a strike would affect their careers.