Actor George Clooney has asked the actors' union to think again about strike action

Hollywood is preparing for another uncertain New Year with the possibilty of a strike by actors. The strike could happen before the end of February after a vote by the Screen Actors Guild. Several high profile actors have urged the guild to back-off from industrial action. This report by Peter Bowes:

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The global credit crunch is making it much more difficult for studios to get funding for big budget pictures. High earning actors are being asked to lower their expectations and accept more modest salaries.

The Screen Actors Guild has said it will ballot its 120,000 members on a possible strike, although it needs a 75 per vote in favour before a walkout can be authorised by the union's leaders.

The mood of many is that now is not the time to rock the boat and that the fight over payments for work on the internet should wait until a later date.

Well known actors such as George Clooney and Tom Hanks have urged the Guild to reconsider its strategy.

The biggest casualty of a fresh round of industrial action, could be the Oscars ceremony. This year the show went ahead, but in a subdued fashion. The screenwriters strike, which lasted a 100 days, sapped the enthusiasm of Hollywood for the traditional party. But it's an event the studios rely on as a global shop front for their movies.

Peter Bowes, BBC, Los Angeles

Listen to the words

the prospect of
the possibility of

big budget pictures
films that are very expensive to make

more modest salaries
pay that is not so high

a walkout
a strike

to rock the boat
to cause a problem

urged
asked strongly

to reconsider its strategy
to think again and maybe change its plans for dealing with the situation

a subdued fashion
a quiet manner

sapped the enthusiasm
took away people's interest and excitement

a global shop front
an international advertisement

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