With the SAG-AFTRA strike in full swing, the world watches with baited breath as the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers gauges exactly how much of the entertainment industry’s collapse it can get away with before it begins to fairly compensate and protect Hollywood’s creatives. Many of us may feel powerless in a time like this, but the best we can do is cheer on the many actors and writers standing behind the picket line for the greater good.
If you’re concerned, however, that you’ll get an ill-informed value judgement flung your way should you choose to continue indulging in your favorite media, Neil Gaiman has your back.
When sought out for some sage advice regarding strike ethics, Neil Gaiman took to Tumblr, his soapbox of choice, to ensure us all for the second time that watching our favorite shows and movies will not only be harmless to the striking artists, but actively helpful.
Indeed, with actors and writers refusing to work, box office numbers and streaming residuals are as crucial as ever to keep food on the table for those on the front lines. The Sandman mastermind further pointed out, using upcoming box office juggernauts Barbie and Oppenheimer as examples, that the less money these projects make, the more ideological ammunition gets supplied to the AMPTP; the exact thing SAG-AFTRA and the WGA don’t want as they strive to inject fear into the hearts of the greedy suits.
So dress up in your favorite shades of pink, study up on theoretical physics, and watch as many fantasy comedies and biographical epics as your schedule, wallet, and personal gumption can muster; the artists will thank you for it.
Barbie and Oppenheimer will release to theaters on July 21.