How does the strike work? How come there’s so many people still working on projects? -John H., Edmond, OK

That's a loaded question, John, but I will give the short answer to the best of my ability, with the understanding that I am speaking only as me and not as a spokesperson on behalf of SAG-AFTRA.

On July 14, the actor's union (SAG-AFTRA) joined the writer's union (WGA) in their strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP), putting a stop to all television and feature film work governed by the AMPTP. The AMPTP represents the studios, networks and streamers. However, union actors are still permitted to perform other work, including, but not limited to, commercials, industrials, radio and video games (though a strike seems imminent against video games as well).

Moreover, SAG-AFTRA has developed the Interim Agreement, which allows all producers and production companies not affiliated with the AMPTP the opportunity to apply for permission to move forward with their production. To receive the Interim Agreement, the independent producers must agree to all terms being requested by the union in their next contract with the AMPTP. These terms include, but are not limited to, higher minimum day rates, larger contributions to pensions and health plans, image protection against the unlicensed usage in Artificial Intelligence, and increased residuals for streaming usage. This has allowed certain productions, even as large as productions from Oscar-winning production companies like A24, to go ahead and film their projects. There have been hundreds of productions apply for the IA, and the union is processing them as we speak. Hopefully, the strike ends soon.

My demo reel has some adult language in it. I was told recently I should not have cussing in my demo reel. What's your take? - Anonymous

I'm not sure who told you that, but I have been casting for nearly 20 years and I watch hundreds, if not thousands, of demo reels a year. Believe me, I have seen and heard it all.

Let's face it. Not every production in this industry is family-friendly. Strong language started appearing on our TV screens with the rise of subscription TV nearly 50 years ago. Then it was doubled-down with gritty cable series in the 1990s. And now with streaming series so popular, it is hard-pressed to find shows that do not contain strong language, even in what seems to be traditionally family-friendly sitcoms.

The reality is, most production, unless it is child-friendly, Faith-based, or prime time broadcast adhering to FCC restrictions, contains strong language and adult situations. It just does. Actors are very likely to have strong language in their scenes.

Your demo reel is intended to be viewed by industry gate-keepers: casting directors, agents, managers, directors and producers. Trust me when I say this: we've heard it all before. All of it. Every single bit of it. There is nothing we haven't heard and we don't judge an actor on it. Look at such landmark recent productions like SUCCESSION, YELLOWSTONE, THE BEAR, BARRY, and even the home-grown RESERVATION DOGS and TULSA KING. Do we really think those actors can't use footage from these series on their demo reels because there might be cussing?

In truth, those of us watching your demo reels, those of us in the industry who are considered gatekeepers, are just watching them to see what kind of an actor you are; what you look like on camera, how you play moments, what your presence is, what your ability might be. No one cares about the content of the scene. These demo reels live on the casting platform and actor website pages anyway, and are not meant for public consumption.

I would suggest eliminating nudity and certainly simulated sex on your demo reel. However, if nudity is the only footage you have, you should use editing software to blur out what might cross the line. And I believe casting sites like Actors Access and Casting Networks require the blurring of nudity. But strong language is not a factor.

But, if you are ultimately uncomfortable with strong language in your footage, you can do what the networks do when they air an R-rated film on broadcast TV: just mute it out.

Finally, if you are getting your demo reel custom-created for you as many actors are these days, and the scripts provided to you by the company contain themes or language you are personally not comfortable with, just ask them to change it. We do that on occasion during the demo reel camps at The Actor Factory, and any legit company should do the same without hassle. But you only need to do that to stay true to your beliefs and standards. Don't worry about those of us viewing your demo reels. Nothing will shock us. I promise.

Chris Freihofer is an actor, as well as Oklahoma's leading casting director for film and television. He is a member of SAG-AFTRA since 1999 and a member of the Casting Society of America since 2010. He was named an Oklahoma Film Icon in 2016, is the recipient of the CSA's Artios Award for his work on the Oscar-winning film MINARI, nominated again this year for RESERVATION DOGS, and was recently listed on the Journal Record's Oklahoma Film Industry Power List. In 2009 he opened The Actor Factory. If you would like to see your industry-related questions answered, send an email with the subject heading FOREMAN at chris@actorfactory.net.