NCIS’ Brian Dietzen ‘On The Picket Lines’ As Production Halts For Strike

Published: July 19, 2023

NCIS’ Brian Dietzen ‘On The Picket Lines’ As Production Halts For Strike

By Movieguide® Contributor

NCIS star Brian Dietzen updated fans on the status of the show amid the ongoing strikes in Hollywood.

The actor posted photos from a recent Greek vacation, adding, “Now back to work… eventually? Til then, I’ll be on the picket lines. Hope your summer is going great!”

It’s unknown when the strikes will come to an end.

The Writers Guild of America went on strike in May after negotiations about streaming revenue with studios broke down.

“Even as budgets for series have grown, writers are making a smaller share of the money,” CBS reported. “On average, showrunners for streaming series make less than half of what showrunners for broadcast series do…and because writers on streaming shows don’t get the back-end payments that have allowed broadcast and screenwriters to make a living, such as syndication and international licensing, the WGA is seeking to secure more pay on the front end for its members.”

The Screen Actors Guild followed suit earlier this month, with actors joining writers on the picket lines.

Like the writers, actors are striking for more pay from streaming services.

“Previously, a popular show meant sizable and consistent residual payments over the ensuing years,” ABC explained. “In streaming, however, those checks are far smaller.”

These strikes mean the movie and TV industry is about to come to a standstill — writers cannot do any writing or pitching during the strike, while actors cannot act, audition for roles, or even promote work they had completed prior to the strike.

Movieguide® previously reported on the actors’ strike:

Hollywood talent are officially on strike after negotiations between their union and major studios regarding a new labor deal crumbled.

SAG-AFTRA President and actor Fran Drescher recently gave a politicized televised speech, calling out motion picture studios for their greed and lack of consideration to all parties involved in the movie making process.

“It’s really important that this negotiation be covered because in the eyes of the world, and particularly the eyes of labor, are upon us,” Drescher opened her speech. “What happens here is important because what’s happening to us is happening across all fields of labor.”

“When employers make … greed their priority, they forget about the essential contributors that make the machine run. We have a problem,” she added.