If you are an actor who is as addicted to your craft as I am, I think you want to perform, and you want to do that work. And so, I think there’s always this mentality [among actors] that we’re really lucky to do it. And, I think [studio executives believe], ‘They’ll probably settle for the terms we offer,’ but … across labor internationally, things have to change as these multinational conglomerates merge and are more beholden to shareholders than they are to the rights and benefits of the people doing the labor.
Paul W. Downs
Writer, Producer and Showrunner
You may know writer, actor and producer Paul W. Downs from his beginnings on the hit Comedy Central show Broad City (2014–2019) or, most recently, his stint as showrunner on the award-winning series Hacks (2021–present). But you may not know Downs is an active and outspoken champion of unions, especially his unions, SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America.
In this episode, Downs gets down in a one-on-one interview with podcast host and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland about his lifelong support of unions. He gets candid about how he balances acting, directing and show-running, while advocating for union workers on set, and how recent union victories in Hollywood — including the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes — point to the greater spirit of solidarity among workers.
Visit the SAG-AFTRA podcast page to hear other exclusive interviews and panel discussions. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or TuneIn to listen to your favorite episodes on the go.
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.
News
- Tags:
- News Updates