Geek Entertainment News and Commentary

Vigo Will Not Be Screwed

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 at 9:18 am by Jami

The dreamy eyes of Vigo Mortensen compel you to vote no on AFTRA’s deal with the AMPTP. Like a number of actors, he’s both an SAG and AFTRA member. A no vote is not a strike authorization. But it would force AFTRA to go back to the negotiating table. SAG President Alan Rosenberg explains just why the AFTRA deal is so damaging to actors.

So now this is all starting to make a little more sense. I can totally respect artist not wishing to endorse products they don’t believe in or possibly loosing existing endorsements because of competitive product placement. Product placement is horribly annoying anyway. Okay, the Moutain Dew bot shooting cans at everyone was amusing in Transfuckyou. I kind of question the effectiveness though. I can’t for the life of me remember what phone Tony Stark was using yet I know the company paid big bucks to put the thing in his hands.

Anyway, not sure of the timeline here regarding when the vote will take place. I also think it’s quite telling that Rosenberg clarified that a no vote does not mean a vote to strike. Perhaps the SAG recognizes the weakness of their current position. More as it comes.

More actors weigh in with their opinions over at SAG TV.

[Via SAG TV]

6 Responses to “Vigo Will Not Be Screwed”

BAMikeyD
Posted: Jun 25th, 2008 at 11:47 am

I agree that it’s wrong, and that they can’t say now. That freaking sucks. They should have the options stated clearly in their contracts for whatever film/show they’re doing. It’s not like they’re signing a contract for a TV Commercial and then going “I can’t advertise for Budwiser, I’m an alcoholic” no they’re signing up for movies/tv shows and having this shit thrust onto them.
Oh and it was the Verizon VX9400 which I believe is commonly known as the “Engadget” or something…

Kevin Bahrt
Posted: Jun 25th, 2008 at 1:52 pm

I think it’s amusing that advertising is such a big business and yet more often than not we don’t even “see” the ads. We just tune it out, I know I do, or hit the mute button. I can see not wanting to do product placement without choice or compensation but if the advertising companies will pay for my movies and tv shows I will continue to ignore their commercials and advertisements as they do so.

Kunoichi
Posted: Jun 25th, 2008 at 4:25 pm

Mmm dreamy Viggo eyes…….makes me almost wish I were a member of AFTRA so I could vote no *_*

Kidding aside, they even got the reclusive Viggo to say this contract is bullshit! Blatant placement is annoying and pointless as it is, and no actor should have to do it if they don’t want to. On the other hand, going out of your way to have a fake version of a real thing can break suspension of disbelief, and if they can get those companies to shell out for it to be them and not someone else, good on them.

Ishaar
Posted: Jun 25th, 2008 at 6:28 pm

You should have just titled it “Viggo Not be Moved.” You could have totally played off the whole “We will not be moved” thing.

Darren J. Gendron
Posted: Jun 26th, 2008 at 9:36 am

The Nokia phone and the Audi in Iron Man were not the annoying bits of product placement, as those were both rich-people products and fit the character of Stark. But Burger King? C’mon. If I’m a prisoner in a far-away land and I get free and am in Los Angeles, it’s In ‘n’ Out.