Striking actors in Hollywood are facing a Halloween dilemma this year, as they have been instructed not to dress up as popular film or TV characters. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has issued guidelines to ensure that actors do not inadvertently break strike rules. The union urges its members to choose costumes inspired by generic characters and figures such as ghosts, zombies, and spiders instead.

The guidelines, released on Thursday, aim to send a strong message to the struck employers that actors will not promote their content without a fair contract. SAG-AFTRA represents over 150,000 television and movie actors who have been on strike since July while negotiating a contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. This alliance represents major movie and streaming companies, including Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros.

One of the most notable responses to the guidelines came from actor Ryan Reynolds, known for his role as Deadpool. In a sarcastic social media post, Reynolds wrote, "I look forward to screaming 'scab' at my 8-year-old all night. She's not in the union but she needs to learn." The term 'scab' is derogatory and refers to someone who crosses a picket line during a strike.

The strike, which will reach its 100th day on Saturday, has caused significant disruptions to the film and television industry, leaving thousands of crew members without work. Negotiations between the studios and the union broke down last week after resuming earlier this month.

Amidst the strike, Oscar winner George Clooney and other top Hollywood stars have offered $150 million to SAG-AFTRA as part of a proposal to end the strike. The offer, confirmed by Clooney's spokesperson, would provide the union with additional funding over three years and potentially help improve health benefits for its members. Clooney stated, "A lot of the top earners want to be part of the solution" and believe it is fair to contribute more to the union.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), representing studios, streaming services, and production companies, announced the suspension of negotiations with SAG-AFTRA. The studios claimed that the gap between the two sides was too wide, and conversations were no longer productive. SAG-AFTRA expressed profound disappointment at the studios' decision, especially after they presented an offer worth less than what was proposed before the strike began.

While the Halloween guidelines have sparked some controversy, with actors expressing their dissatisfaction on social media, the union hopes that its members will celebrate Halloween this year while also standing in solidarity. It remains to be seen how actors will handle dressing up as characters covered by the strike at events that are not publicized, and whether they will influence the costume choices of their family members.

Overall, the strike has had a significant impact on the entertainment industry, and negotiations between the studios and the union remain at a standstill. The proposal put forward by George Clooney and other A-list actors offers a potential solution, but a resolution is yet to be reached.