The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike began on July 14 at what should have been a celebratory time for many performers and the industry. Nominations for the Emmy Awards had just been announced, heaping praise on shows like 'Succession,' 'The Last of Us' and 'The White Lotus.' The #Barbenheimer craze was in full swing and poised to set the box office on fire, giving another jolt to still-recovering movie theatres. While the writers strike — declared more than two months before — had slowed the industry, it immediately ground to a halt with a fiery speech from actors guild President Fran Drescher.