If you’re a SAG-AFTRA member, you’ll want to be mindful of your Halloween costume this year. The union is currently on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), and they’ve issued some guidelines for members on what to wear and what to avoid.
SAG-AFTRA Halloween Costume Guidelines
The basic rule of thumb is to avoid dressing up as characters from struck content. This includes movies, TV shows, and streaming shows that are produced by AMPTP member companies. Some popular examples include:
- Barbie
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
- The Marvel Cinematic Universe
- The DC Extended Universe
- Star Wars
- Stranger Things
- The Crown
- The Mandalorian
- The Boys
- House of the Dragon
- Rings of Power
If you’re not sure whether a particular character is from struck content, you can always err on the side of caution and choose a different costume. There are plenty of great options out there that aren’t affiliated with AMPTP.
Here are a few ideas for strike-friendly Halloween costumes:
- General characters and figures: ghosts, zombies, vampires, witches, clowns, pirates, cowboys, cowgirls, aliens, superheroes, supervillains, etc.
- Characters from non-struck content: animated movies and TV shows, video games, books, and older movies and TV shows that are no longer covered by the SAG-AFTRA contract. Some specific examples include:
- Animated: Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Nemo, Dory, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, Elsa, Anna, Olaf, etc.
- Video games: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Link, Zelda, Pikachu, Charizard, Sonic, Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails, Knuckles, etc.
- Books: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Voldemort, etc.
- Older movies and TV shows: The Wizard of Oz, The Addams Family, The Munsters, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Beetlejuice, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, etc.
If you’re really struggling to come up with a costume idea, you can always ask your local SAG-AFTRA office for help. They’re happy to provide suggestions and make sure that you’re staying within the union’s guidelines.
Related: Breaking: Deadpool 3 Delayed Due To SAG-AFTRA Strike
Here are a few more tips for having a strike-friendly Halloween:
- Avoid posting photos of yourself in a costume inspired by struck content on social media.
- If you’re attending a Halloween party, make sure to check with the host to see if there are any costume restrictions.
- If you’re unsure whether a particular costume is strike-friendly, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and choose a different one.
The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the holiday! There are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween without breaking the SAG-AFTRA strike rules.
Here are a few additional tips for creating a unique and strike-friendly Halloween costume:
- Get creative with your makeup and hair. You can use makeup and hair products to transform yourself into any character, even if you don’t have a costume from that character’s specific show or movie.
- Accessorize. The right accessories can really elevate a costume. For example, a witch’s hat, a vampire’s cape, or a superhero’s mask can make a simple costume look much more polished.
- DIY your costume. If you’re on a budget or you want to create a truly unique costume, consider making your own. There are plenty of tutorials available online and in craft stores.
No matter what costume you choose, make sure that you feel comfortable and confident in it. After all, Halloween is all about having fun!
Related: “Ryan Reynolds” Mocked Online On Actors Strike Halloween Costume Guidelines