The SAG-AFTRA, on July 13, marked a historic day when the guild officially resolved to strike, standing shoulder to shoulder with the WGA on the picket lines advocating for improved and equitable pay and working conditions. The aftermath of these strikes was an immediate cessation of several projects in the film and television sectors. While the major impact has been on these industries, Melissa de la Cruz, a notable author, shared insights on the wider ripple effect of the strikes. She unveiled her thoughts during the San Diego Comic-Con panel, titled “Books-to-Film Tie-In: An Insider Perspective,” moderated by Perri Nemiroff from FilmSweep.
Cruz, in the discussion, underlined the critical need for fair remuneration for people across all creative sectors. She voiced her support for the ongoing strikes, remarking, “It’s extremely unnerving how society undervalues the labor people contribute, it’s really terrifying.” Furthermore, Cruz pointed out that the strikes aren’t merely advocating for just and improved conditions for current creatives, but the outcome will also influence future generations. She claimed that “people are going to oppose this for the future, for our children.” This is a deeply personal belief for Cruz, whose parents backed her artistic aspirations, and she continues the tradition with her child: “I want her to perceive that there are still 1,000 opportunities for her to be a creative person in this world.”
Although Cruz is primarily recognized as an author, she has also worked as a journalist prior to her present profession, making the strikes particularly relevant to her. She commented on the downfall of print media, observing, “what transpired with print was devastating. There are no longer journalists or magazines. I mean, magazine editors are wonderful creators, who craft delightful fantasies that were such a joy to possess, and those are no longer available.” The publishing industry, notorious for providing grueling conditions for its overworked junior employees, is dealing with similar issues. In addition to the persisting difficulties in film and television, Cruz revealed her concern that, “Oh, my God. We’re not going to have quality things anymore,” adding, “It’s truly frightening. This is going to be a harsh battle. It’s already brutal. They’re even cutting down the trees? Really?”
Image via Disney
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Melissa de la Cruz’s Connection to This Disney Franchise
Throughout her career, Cruz has published numerous books, with her New York Times bestselling series based on Disney’s Descendants being her most recognized work. The series, which started in 2015 with The Isle of the Lost, occurs 20 years after infamous Disney villains were exiled. It follows Mal, the daughter of Maleficent, as she embarks on a perilous mission with three others. Concurrently, there are three films in the series, which chronicle the villains’ children as they navigate prep school and face their unique challenges. A spin-off movie, titled Descendants: Rise of Red, is presently being developed at Disney+.
Find de la Cruz’s comprehensive remarks below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Industry-Wide Strike
What event did author Melissa de la Cruz discuss during the Books-to-Film Tie-In panel at the San Diego Comic-Con?
Melissa de la Cruz discussed the impact of the industry-wide strike, facilitated by SAG-AFTRA and WGA, on creative professionals. She highlighted the significance of fair compensation in creative fields and expressed her concerns about the future of the creative industry.
What is Melissa de la Cruz’s view on the ongoing industry-wide strike?
Melissa de la Cruz supports the strike and underlines the importance of creatives receiving fair compensation for their work. She believes that the strike isn’t just about the current industry professionals, but also about the future generations who will be entering these creative fields.
How has Melissa de la Cruz’s previous career influenced her perspective on the strike?
Before becoming an author, Melissa de la Cruz was a journalist, which gives her a broader perspective on the impact of the strike. She cites the decline of print media as an example of the challenging environment facing creatives, and emphasizes the need for action to prevent further degradation of creative industries.
What connection does Melissa de la Cruz have with the Disney Descendants series?
Melissa de la Cruz is the author of a New York Times bestselling series based on Disney’s Descendants. The series follows the adventures of the children of Disney villains and has led to a number of spin-off movies, one of which, Descendants: Rise of Red, is currently in development at Disney+.
More about Industry-Wide Strike
- SAG-AFTRA Official Website
- Writers Guild of America
- Melissa de la Cruz Official Website
- Disney’s Descendants Series
- San Diego Comic-Con
5 comments
“no journalists anymore, no magazines” – that’s a hard truth right there. Print media’s been dying, but this strike might just be the final nail in the coffin.
It’s already ugly, huh. Not just the film and tv but across all creative fields. We need to stand together for better working conditions. Power to the people!
I’ve always admired Melissa de la Cruz, she’s so outspoken. Its important for everyone in the creative industry to be paid fairly. Go MDC!!!
omg!!! Melissa wrote the Descendants series!?? love those books… always knew she was a genius. Can’t wait for the spinoff movie!!!
what’s with this industry-wide strike? Its crazy how it affects everyone, even authors like Melissa de la Cruz… didn’t see that coming tbh…