July Magazine launch date — September 4, 2023

While a lot of us think of today as a day of sales and BBQ-ing, the origins of Labor Day come from the late 1800s when unions fought for improvements in their working conditions. Thanks to their efforts, laborers gained the right to an 8-hour workday and a 6-day workweek.

The first Labor Day started with a one-day strike. In the years that followed, unions and laborers continued to strike for fair working conditions.

We thought today was a fitting day to release our brand new digital platform. July Magazine focuses on the achievements of filmmakers, writers, and actors. Right now — those folks are on the precipice of one of the most historic labor strikes that Hollywood has ever seen. As of today, September 4th, WGA is close to the longest strike they’ve ever had. There hasn’t been a double WGA/SAG strike since 1960. SAG-AFTRA has just voted to send a strike authorization vote to video game performers.

While most industries, thanks to Labor Day strikes, have 8-hour workdays, folks in the entertainment industry are quite used to 12-14 hour workdays at all hours of the day or night. It’s a tough job that deserves fair pay, fair health insurance, and laborer protections all across the board. 

Entertainment is the lifeblood of humanity. From the earliest moments around a campfire, where stories were shared, to the grand theaters, cinemas, and digital screens of today, entertainment has been a constant companion in our journey through time. It offers us a respite from the challenges of daily life, allowing us to escape, dream, and explore worlds beyond our own. Film and television unite us in laughter, move us to tears, and bring people together across cultures and generations. 

Countless dedicated individuals, both on and off screen, are integral to the creation of the shows and movies we hold so dear. Without them, the cherished films and television series that have left an indelible mark on our lives would not exist.

Starting now and continuing until our industry workers receive fair ramifications for their contracts, July Magazine will concentrate its efforts on supporting the strikes and doing all we can to amplify the voices of those striving to protect working conditions within the Hollywood industry.

—Nolwen Cifuentes, July Magazine Founder/EIC