Actors union SAG-AFTRA says that it will ensure 'all applicable penalties will be paid' if they are due, but a producer for the Lifetime biopic claims the union 'was totally fine with everything.'
- Jun 21, 2012
AceShowbiz - After Lindsay Lohan and two crew members of "Liz & Dick" suffered exhaustion from alleged overwork, concern has grown among actors union SAG-AFTRA and crew union IATSE over the working condition. Both unions have investigated the situation with the actors union visiting the set of the TV movie on Tuesday, June 20 afternoon.
"We have thoroughly investigated this matter and our business representatives have visited, and will continue to visit, the set of Liz & Dick. We have spoken with representatives from the company and they are fully aware of their contractual obligations," so SAG-AFTRA said in a statement.
It added, "We will ensure that all applicable penalties will be paid." However, a spokeswoman for the union noted that as of this moment, there are no penalties due.
Producer Larry Thompson also insisted that the actors union representative didn't find problem during her visit. "An AFTRA rep visited us on the set late yesterday afternoon and was TOTALLY fine with everything," he claimed.
"I asked her [the union representative] specifically had they received any complaints from any AFTRA member and she said no, but their curiosity and desire to inquire was prompted by tweets and comments in the media."
Meanwhile, IATSE, which represents most crew members on movies and television programs, said that it has been monitoring the working hours and conditions on the set. The union's division director of motion picture and television production Mike Miller said it has "had union representatives on the set since last Friday [June 15] and will continue to monitor the hours and working conditions there."
On Saturday, June 16, Lindsay Lohan who plays Elizabeth Taylor on the Lifetime biopic revealed she was exhausted after working 85 hours in 4 days, and "being up all night shooting." On the same weekend, two crew members in the hair department reportedly went to the hospital with "severe dehydration and exhaustion."
