'Outer Banks' crew members back writers strike, turn to stump grinding, other side gigs

As John B. Routledge runs from police or cruises Charleston rivers in his boat, he appears alone on screen.

In reality, the "Outer Banks" character is surrounded by an army of crew members. From cinematographers to grips to makeup artists to the transportation team, it takes hundreds of people to produce a season of the Charleston-based Netflix show.

But filming has been halted. Chase Stokes, who plays John B., and the rest of the "Outer Banks" cast, is on strike with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), locked in a fight for fair pay, transparency from streaming services and protection from artificial intelligence (AI) exploitation. The hundreds of other crew members are also out of work.

Since July 12, these crew members have been adapting to unemployment.

Pamela McIntyre, a makeup artist on set and a Charleston local, has been putting feelers out for wedding gigs, a part of the makeup business in which she does not usually engage. Production in film and television is really her career focus. But with no end in sight to this strike, she is starting to apply her handiwork elsewhere.

But not all film crew skills apply to the outside world.

Frank Koches grinds a stump for the stump-grinding business he runs in the off-season when not filming for the "Outer Banks" and "The Righteous Gemstones" on James Island. The “Outer Banks” cast is on strike with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and Koches is using his off-season job to make ends meet. Daniel Sarch/Staff

Frank Koches, who transports some of the set equipment from location to location, runs a small stump-grinding business in the off-season. "Outer Banks" only shoots about eight months out of the year, so when he is not working on that or "The Righteous Gemstones," the Danny McBride HBO series shot in Charleston, he grinds stumps.

David Spencer is the show's key grip, meaning he oversees the set up of all equipment on set. He and his team are able to rig cameras on cars, boats and even a plane to get the perfect shot of a police chase or stars John B. and Sarah Cameron kissing.

"The thing is," said Spencer, "there’s really nothing out there in my field that transfers over into the real world that doesn’t pay minimum wage. There’s not a big need for a key grip in the private sector.”

Spencer has been mulling his options, hoping the strike will not last long enough to run through his savings. He lives with the show's makeup department head, Holly Sago, in a house in Wilmington, N.C. They bought the place just before filming began this summer. Needless to say, paying his mortgage just became much more difficult.

But no matter their circumstances or their roles on set, these crew members have one thing in common: They support the writers strike. Surprisingly little ill will is harbored against the group who has put filming on hold.

"There has to be checks and balances," said makeup artist Pamela McIntyre on workers fighting for their rights and representation. "In a world where we are living with less and less checks and balances, I think that is imperative across the board, not just in our industry."

The actors of "Outer Banks" and other popular programs are supporting the cause, as well. Madelyn Cline, who grew up in Goose Creek and plays Sarah Cameron, posted videos of the SAG strike announcement to her social media. Having the familiar faces of movie and TV stars involved in picketing has helped spread awareness and support for the cause. Among protesters on the picket line have been Susan Sarandon, Adam Scott, Jason Sudeikis and Olivia Wilde.

Frank Koches sits in the Pogue van on the set of "Outer Banks," the Netflix hit show filmed in Charleston. It's not his usual tractor-trailer that he uses in the off-season for his stump-grinding business. Now, he's relying on that job more since the writers strike has halted filming. Provided

One major concern for actors is the use of their likeness. AI technology is now able to scan actors, especially those in secondary or background roles, then imitate their movements and speech digitally. So the actors would not have to actually work on set after the initial scan, but they also would not get paid for their appearances, other than the day's wage to participate in the scan.

With the rapid rise of AI, the actors as well as writers and other crewmembers on strike all have worries in the back of their heads. At some point, movies could be made entirely digitally, with little need for this army of industry workers on set.

“I think what they’re fighting for right now is very, very important and I’m behind them 100 percent,” said Koches. He acts as the steward to the Teamsters' union on the "Outer Banks" set, so the struggle of a union fighting for fairness is nothing new to him.

This immediate support also stems from the teamwork and collaboration needed to make a show or movie. The cast and crew appear on set for up to 90 hours a week. Co-workers gradually become close friends and even family. On top of that, every single member is vital to production, so these workers have immense respect for one another — especially on "Outer Banks."

"The showrunners, actors, producers, my grip team, everyone from top to bottom is amazing," said Spencer. "And I can't say that about 99 percent of the sets I have worked on."

In his 10 years of experience as a key grip, Spencer was astounded by how smoothly the team on "Outer Banks" cooperates.

After three years and three successful seasons, these people have formed incredible bonds with one another, he said. So even if it means their own situations get more difficult, they are all there, united, to support each other.

John B.'s signature van in "Outer Banks" is all decked out for shots of its interior. David Spencer/Provided

Plus, for people in the film industry, unsteady work is no shock. Koches operates his stump-grinding side hustle for a reason.

“(Industry work) could be from feast to famine," said Koches. "You could have three shows going on at the same time and they all end at the end of six or eight months, then you’ve got nothing going on for the next three or four."

"Outer Banks" workers, though their situations may seem dire in the face of sudden unemployment, are staying positive through their support of the larger cause at stake.

If their extensive work behind the scenes was not evidence of the crew's "team player" mentality, their unwavering support certainly is.

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