SAG-AFTRA NED Discusses Industry Recovery at Producers Roundtable

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland was a featured guest of TheWrap’s Producers Roundtable on Sep. 29. The roundtable was a featured event of the media company’s annual two-day business conference TheGrill. 

Joining him were BRON Media Corp. co-founder and President Brenda Gilbert, Laugh Out Loud Productions Chief Executive Director Jeff Clanagan, Wonderland Sound & Vision President of Production Mary Viola and AGBO co-founder and Vice Chairman Mike Larocca. Gunpowder & Sky CEO Van Toffler and Shiny Penny Productions founder Stacey Sher served as co-moderators.

Together, the group reflected on the media landscape’s rapid changes following the first year of the pandemic. During the panel’s opening conversation about the industry’s initial response to the outbreak, Crabtree-Ireland detailed the swift work of entertainment labor unions to address safety concerns as well as the unprecedented collaborative work to develop the Return to Work Agreement. 

“From the start of the shutdown, our first priority was to find a way for our members and everybody in the industry to get back to work in a safe manner,” said Crabtree-Ireland. “There were a number of people who really fought hard to make sure that we could present a single, clear set of [guidelines] to the industry … [and] I think everyone approached it with a focus on keeping people safe.”

Also addressed was the importance of promoting movie theaters and the challenges presented by the increase of streamed content. 

“I think everybody wants to preserve [the movie-going experience],” said Gilbert, “and we have to be open to getting people back in theaters, with or without COVID, and keep those places in business. 

Added Crabtree-Ireland, “From the performer perspective, the rise of streamed content has enabled the creation of a lot of jobs … [but] they are very much committed to the theatrical model as well: They want to see movies released in theaters. I think this is an area where producers and talent have a lot in common, and both still want to see theatrical exhibitions going forward.”  
 
To watch a full replay of the roundtable discussion, visit TheWrap’s YouTube channel.

The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply SAG-AFTRA’s endorsement.

Photo: Panelists at TheGrill’s 2021 Producers Roundtable on Sep. 29. Top row, from left, Wonderland Sound & Vision President of Production Mary Viola, Shiny Penny Productions Founder Stacey Sher and Gunpowder & Sky Chief Executive Officer Van Toffle; middle row, from left, BRON Media Corp Co-founder and President Brenda Gilbert, AGBO Co-founder and Vice Chairman Mike Laroca, and Laugh Out Loud Productions Chief Executive Director Jeff Clanagan; bottom row, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.