A viral video posted by actress “P-Valley” star, Brandee Evans, is offering insight into the pay issues motivating the possible SAG-AFTRA strike that is looming over Hollywood.
Evans, who is known for her breakout role as Mercedes Woodbine in the hit show, took to her TikTok to give her followers a view into how much she makes in residuals as an actress.
In the clip, she shows the payment amount for three checks she received from SAG-AFTRA.
The first check she showed was for $3.99. The second check was for $4.67. And the third check she showed was for just one cent.
“And that’s why we gone strike,” Evans said at the end of the video, alluding to the possible SAG-AFTRA strike.
Actors Want More From Streaming
Evans first posted the video at the end of May on her TikTok. This was timed to an approaching strike authorization vote by SAG-AFTRA. And when votes were counted on June 3, it was determined that 97.91% of SAG-AFTRA members voted in support for strike authorization.
As talk of a SAG-AFTRA strike continues to build, Evans’ video has continued to make the rounds across social media sites like Instagram and Twitter.
People have praised Evans for her transparency about her residuals pay and have credited the video with showing in clear detail one of the key issues connected to the strike — actors demands for better residual pay from streamers.
Some people immediately assumed the checks were from her P-Valley work — which airs on Starz. But in a retweet, Evans clarified that the checks were actually from unnamed “past projects” she’s worked on.
Looming Strike
The clock is ticking regarding the possible SAG-AFTRA strike.
With the approval of the strike authorization in June, SAG-AFTRA members have given permission to union leaders to call a strike if they can’t reach a deal with the major studios by July 12.
There is also talk of the Directors Guild of America going on strike.
And with the Writers Guild of America having been on strike since May 30 — after its own contract expired with no deal — Hollywood could be facing a simultaneous strike from the three unions.
Pay from streaming services was a key issue for WGA members leading up to the union’s strike. They expressed frustrations over streamers being able to pay less and the struggle to maintain a sustainable income with the current contracts.