La formazione dei sindacati degli attori ad Hollywood tra conflitti con gli Studios ed emancipazione dal teatro statunitense dell’inizio del xx secolo

Abstract

Le sfide affrontate dagli attori cinematografici statunitensi lungo il percorso per raggiungere una rappresentanza sindacale furono rilevanti non solo in quanto terreno di scontro con i manager degli Studios, ma anche in quanto di ordine culturale. Le radici della professione provenienti dal teatro, infatti, posero contribuirono a rallentare il processo di sindacalizzazione a causa di una reticenza nell’accettare la nuova forma d’arte attoriale e di un certo elitismo culturale che impediva di associarsi al proletariato industriale, rendendo difficile trovare un metodo efficace e condiviso secondo il quale organizzarsi. Ripercorrere la storia della nascita dei sindacati degli attori statunitensi ha dato modo di confrontarsi con alcune riflessioni sulle politiche del lavoro nel settore dell’intrattenimento, che ai primi anni del secolo xx dovettero affrontare la potenza economica degli Studios hollywoodiani, oltre che comprendere come definirsi, per poter vedere loro riconosciuti i diritti fondamentali dei lavoratori.

The challenges faced by American film actors in their journey toward achieving union representation were significant, involving not disputes with studio managers but also cultural barriers. The profession's roots in theater posed various limitations and contributed to slowing down the unionization process due to a reluctance to embrace the new art form of film acting and a certain cultural elitism that discouraged association with the industrial proletariat. This made it difficult to find an effective and shared method of organization. Tracing the history of the birth of American actors’ unions has provided an opportunity to reflect on labor policies in the entertainment industry, which, in the early 20th century, had to contend with the economic power of Hollywood studios, as well as to understand how they defined themselves to have their fundamental workers' rights recognized.The challenges faced by American film actors in their journey toward achieving union representation were significant, involving not disputes with studio managers but also cultural barriers. The profession's roots in theater posed various limitations and contributed to slowing down the unionization process due to a reluctance to embrace the new art form of film acting and a certain cultural elitism that discouraged association with the industrial proletariat. This made it difficult to find an effective and shared method of organization. Tracing the history of the birth of American actors’ unions has provided an opportunity to reflect on labor policies in the entertainment industry, which, in the early 20th century, had to contend with the economic power of Hollywood studios, as well as to understand how they defined themselves to have their fundamental workers' rights recognized.