Aronofsky wants Wrestlers to be allowed into SAG
Monday, December 29th, 2008
While The Wrestler is scoring all kinds of awards and great reviews, the film’s director Darren Aronofsky is fighting a battle of his own; he wants the Screen Actors Guild to allow professional wrestlers to enter their ranks thus giving them all the pay and and health benefits that come to guild members.
“There’s really no reason why these guys are not in SAG,” Aronofsky told Newsday. “They’re in front of a camera performing and doing stunts, and they should have that protection. They should have health insurance and they should be protected.”
Aronofsky came to this decision during the filming and promoting of The Wrestler and learned of the harsh, unpredictable professional lives that pro wrestlers have to deal with in order to make it in the business, including deals that exclude all pensions and health care.
What do you guys think? Whatever your personal opinions abut professional wrestling, do you think these guys should be considered members of the Screen Actors Guild? Isn’t what you see on WWE more of a live performance than a sporting event?
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I don’t see why not… but it’s hard to get around the whole wrestling being fake thing if everyone is in SAG.
Is that really even a debate anymore?
Not really. I just think it’s funny. There was a time when wrestlers would swear it was real and now they’re joining SAG.
I think it makes sence, imean they arnt great actors (somer are and I think the Rock is much better than his crittics give him gredit for), but they are acting non the less
If Kate Bosworth is in SAG, then wrestlers should be too. They’re way better actors.
Wrestlers are entertainers. I think they should have their own union with their own rules. Their job is much higher risk than actors, so they are at higher risk for injury and such. They are a combination of actor and stunt-man. They should be able to have some benifits too.
If there’s a script, which I think most of the wrestlers do have to follow from, then they’re acting. Does that mean they deserve to be in SAG. Maybe. Maybe not. Honestly though, they’re more like magicians or stage performers performing illusions for a live audience every week.
I’d have to say yes. I’ve been to most of the major WWE, WCW, ECW events in Wichita, and they always put on a good live show. I believe some of the major stars have more acting chops than some of the so-called actors that are in SAG. I hope this happens. They did so much for me when I was little. Instilling self-esteem, helping kids get out and get active (I realize this doesn’t get publicized as much anymore but a lot of the major stars still do tons of volunteer work like Hogan, Macho Man used to back in the 80’s)
Firstly, I preface this with my personal belief that everyone who works for someone should be unionized in some fashion.
But yes, wrestlers deserve SAG admittance. Let’s not be snobs here. They go on TV, they perform a script in exchange for pay with a contract. They play a character and their likeness is used to sell a product just like any other schmo actor on TV. It’s snobbery that keeps them out. They deserve to have a regulated form of safety requirements if nothing else. What really concerns me are the wrestlers in the smaller time groups and shows- I doubt they have any protection whatsoever.
Just like how reality tv writers deserve to be WAG recognized. It’s smoke and mirrors- it’s what the business is based on. Wrestling is fake and reality shows are scripted. Is it a stretching of truths for the sake of entertainment? Yes, does that mean the workers shouldn’t be protected? No.
*Snort* I meant the WGA, not WAG. LOL.
Well I was under the belief that anything broadcasted with a script was acting, and wrestling and the little drama’s they have between matches are scripted.
If Soap actors can join, then wrestlers should be able to do so. Wrestling is essentially a Soap with athleticism.
The question is would they want to join?