The SAG strike of 2023 had a profound impact on the lives of many actors and industry workers, including Stanley Aughtry and Joy T. Lane. According to Stanley, actors could have done more to keep their creativity flowing and earn future money through bartering their talent, which would eventually lead to a sense of ownership for those who make films and allow big production companies to understand who makes them wealthy. Joy shared that the strike was a personal challenge for her, but her other financial investments and residual checks helped her weather the storm. However, not everyone was so lucky. She knew of a colleague who tragically took their own life due to the pressure of the strike. People lost their homes, and some had to wait tables to make ends meet. It was a trying time for all involved.

Despite the challenges, the strike was a necessary reality to happen. The big budget film studios needed to renegotiate the terms of their contracts to protect industry workers from new technologies such as AI. Ultimately, it was the collective voice of the industry that brought about lasting change. New contracts were negotiated, and there were several positive outcomes that resulted from the strike. One of the most significant positives was an increase in pay for industry workers, which helped everyone better support their families. The strike ultimately served as a wake-up call to the industry, reminding everyone that the workers who make the magic happen deserve to be treated fairly and justly. It was a tough time, but the industry leaders hope that the union will bounce back stronger and more united than ever before. Although many feature films and television shows were cancelled industry workers are enthused and relived that the strike is over, and many are finally back to working again.