SAG-AFTRA has told its members to refuse to work on the pandemic thriller “Songbird” produced by Michael Bay.
“Songbird” had been announced in mid-May as a low-budget production to be shot in Los Angeles. The artists union announced Thursday the “do not work” order for production company On A Lark Productions LLC. He said the company had not completed the signing process, and therefore is not signed with any applicable SAG-AFTRA agreements. SAG-AFTRA warned members that they could be disciplined if they work at “Songbird”.
“As such, SAG-AFTRA members are instructed to retain any acting services or perform any covered work for this production until further notice from the union,” SAG-AFTRA said. “Please note that you accept employment or provide services at ‘Songbird; it may be considered a violation of Global Rule One. Violation of this order may result in disciplinary action under the SAG-AFTRA Constitution.”
A SAG-AFTRA spokesperson also said: “Producers have not been transparent about their safety protocols and that is something that we obviously take very seriously. Additionally, as noted in the Do Not Work order, producers have not yet become signatories to our agreement. We have no further comments.
According to a published report, “Songbird” is a near-future narrative produced by Bay with Invisible Narratives and Catchlight Studios by Adam Goodman. Adam Mason directs from a script he wrote with Simon Boyes. The story unfolds two years into a future in which the pandemic has not disappeared as the virus continues to mutate. ICM Partners and Endeavor teamed up to sell “Songbird” at the Virtual Market in Cannes last month.
The producers did not immediately respond to a request for comment on SAG-AFTRA’s announcement.
