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Acting , Advice

What Are You Doing Differently Now That the SAG-AFTRA Strike is Over?


December 18, 2023

After 118 days and a ratification of the new agreement, the SAG-AFTRA strike is finally over!

Now that the entertainment industry can put this period in the books, actors and other industry professionals are looking forward to getting back to work.

We wanted to know your game plans for moving forward as Hollywood’s gears start back up, so we asked you about how you’ve changed things up now that the SAG-AFTRA strike has ended.

Here are 10 responses that stood out:

Rio Rocket in a red shirt and blue sunglasses looking over a balcony.

The first thing is that I hired a private acting coach to review all my self tapes prior to submission. As a veteran actress, CD and producer, she can give me the necessary adjustments to set my performance apart from the crowd—it’s another set of eyes.

The second thing is that I no longer wait until the day of the self tape to see my performance for the first time. If submission deadlines permit, I watch my initial performance as a draft and look for ways to immerse myself deeper into the character and their purpose in the scene.

— Rio Rocket

Vanessa Born smiling in a sweater.

Writing my own material and private coaching with acting coaches like Bob Corff for accent work and acting classes with the Howard Fine Studio, Nancy Banks Studio, Larry Moss and Carl Ford Online.

I’m also seeking out new representation on a CAA level, reaching out to casting directors through DM and email, reconnecting with filmmakers and producers from the past and creating pitches with a lawyer. I’m even helping other actors with their auditions and scene work… as well as submitting to Casting Networks.

At night I am crewing movie sets to help out my friends. Basically I’m acting like it’s my last day on earth as it always feels like that to me. I’ll never give up and I just keep going!

— Vanessa Born

Shua Jackson in a leather jacket looking serious.

During the strike, I covered a self-produced “Strike Diary” on my Instagram account (@shuajackson), chronicling every day of the strike with wistful, comedic and, at times, absurd musings on my life as an out-of-work actor.

Now that the strike is over, I’m continuing the momentum I built from self-producing content and I’m using that to connect to others. I’m focusing on expanding my network to collaborate with directors and producers I haven’t had the opportunity to work with yet that share similar values, styles and work.

— Shua Jackson

Arie Michel in a red shirt smiling.

I am finally getting snippets from shows that I have done and uploading them, working on getting new headshots. Had to get a 9-5 to make the ends get closer together, but hoping that new long-term acting opportunities will come my way at the top of 2024 to last throughout the year!

— Arle Michel

Matt Young in a nice shirt smiing.

I am back auditioning for SAG-AFTRA projects both in Australia and the USA. I will be on the publicity trail shortly for an Aussie independent film, and am visiting film festivals in which the short I shot before the strike is showing.

I’m also able to mention AMPTP-produced projects that are currently streaming on Netflix on my social media.

— Matt Young

Martina Monti in a leather jacket smiling.

As soon as the strike was over, I saw an immediate increase in my bookings. I’m not SAG-AFTRA, but I already booked a SAG role—a lead in a TV series starring actor Daniel Baldwin and Primetime Emmy Award multi-nominated actor, Nicholas Turturro. I also booked a co-star role in a web series, all in the same week.

I started my acting career in 2023 and I moved to LA from Italy to pursue my dream, so I’m very happy to see these results, and motivated to continue achieving new goals.

— Martina Monti

Juan Virra smiling in a denim vest.

Now that the strike is over, I am taking action. I am newly signed to Bicoastal Management, so I am working toward gathering my talent materials.

Taking initiative, reaching out to photographers that can produce the highest of quality commercial shoots, as well as some editorial to showcase my range in the industry. Moving in my authenticity and continuing to invest in my craft.

— Juan Virra

Nafeisa Johnson in a white shirt smiling.

Heck yes, so excited now that the strike is over that I’ve literally relocated and have upgraded all my acting accounts and media pages.

The strike provided me time to create my own content for my portfolio. I am currently doing 5-10 audition tapes daily to stay ready when casting opportunities are available.

I took the downtime to write, and have almost completed my first script. Hey, soon I’ll be seeking actors for my film from Casting Networks.

— Nafeisa Johnson

Joseph Marshall in a blue shirt smiling.

Now that the strike is over, I am not waiting for roles to come my direction. I am actively going out and seeking opportunities in all aspects of the industry.

I have recently started putting forth additional time and effort into screenwriting and finishing some of the things that I have written over the course of the last few years.

In addition to that, I am finding networking opportunities in my local community, as well as nationally, so I don’t lose the momentum that I had before the strike began.

— Joseph Marshall

Patrick Shields in a sweater smiling.

Both during the strike, and ongoing, I am spending more time writing and editing in order to create opportunities for myself.

I have also co-founded a new business with a fellow soccer fan and colleague in order to take advantage of secondary income business opportunities leading up to the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup being held in the United States.

Because I predict that opportunities for older actors with staying power will increase, I have also begun to increase my rehearsal, vocalizing and fitness goals, adding more marathons to my schedule. More important now than ever to keep the instrument in tune.

— Patrick Shields

Some responses have been edited and condensed for clarity.


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