SAG-AFTRA Accuses The Academy Of "Graceless Pressure Tactics" To Force Presenters Away From SAG Awards In Favor Of Oscars

We got a war coming between the Screen Actors Guild and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. According to a new statement from SAG-AFTRA, it would appear that the Academy is using some less-than-savory tactics to get some exclusive presenters at its awards show.

In a statement, SAG-AFTRA says that the Academy has used “graceless pressure tactics and attempts to control the awards show talent pipeline.” Without going into too much detail, the crux of the argument stems from reports that actors are being pressured by the Academy to skip presenting at the SAG Awards. They’re being told that if they present at the SAG Awards, then they won’t have the opportunity to do so at the Oscars.

A source told Variety, “Essentially, they’re being told that if they present on another televised awards show, they won’t get to present on the Oscars.”

As you might imagine, the Oscars are the biggest awards game in town and holds an immense amount of power. The Academy can leverage its stature as a way to keep the other awards show at bay. And now, SAG-AFTRA isn’t going to take it anymore.

The statement continues, “This self-serving intimidation of SAG-AFTRA members is meant to limit their opportunities to be seen and honor the work of their fellow artists throughout the season. Actors should be free to accept any offer to participate in industry celebrations.”

We’ll have to see if anything comes of this. The SAG Awards are given out on January 27, while the Oscars don’t air until almost a month later on February 24.

Here’s the entire statement:

“SAG-AFTRA has fielded numerous requests to respond to assertions that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences exerts extraordinary and unwarranted pressure on talent to hold them from appearing at other award presentations.

We have received multiple reports of these activities and have experienced firsthand the Academy’s graceless pressure tactics and attempts to control the awards show talent pipeline. Awards season is a very special time when actors and actresses are being appropriately celebrated and recognized for the outstanding quality of their work. We would expect the Academy to honor these goals.

This self-serving intimidation of SAG-AFTRA members is meant to limit their opportunities to be seen and honor the work of their fellow artists throughout the season. Actors should be free to accept any offer to participate in industry celebrations.

The apparent attempt by the Academy to keep our members from presenting on their own awards show is utterly outrageous and unacceptable. The SAG Awards supports their union’s operations and important charitable assistance programs that provide valuable support to performers.

We call on the Academy to cease this inappropriate action.”