London, Sept 16 (ANI): A threatening strike by actors and writers over the share of royalties from new media, specifically DVDs, is expected to bring production to a screeching halt.

Recently, director Roman Polanski pulled out of the production of 'Pompeii' bringing the film to a sudden halt, after the strike threatened to disrupt the shoot.

According to reports, the sale of DVDs alone would fetch about 24 billion dollars for Hollywood.

Hollywood bosses have earned the ire of the production staff by saying that they are due for the bonus only when a film becomes a hit.

Now, the strike is expected around June 2008, when many contracts expire.

Many producers are trying to wrap-up maximum films before March since halting films during production time becomes an expensive affair.

Barnaby Thompson, head of Ealing Studios, said that the strike will bring things to a 'grinding halt'.

"The strike will bring things to a grinding halt. Even if an actual strike is averted, there will be fewer projects ready to shoot after June, resulting in a de facto strike. If you haven't got a film by the beginning of March, you won't get anyone to connect to it." The Times online quoted Thompson as saying.

Eric Fellner, co-chairman of Working Title, whose box-office hits include Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, said that imminent strike was affecting production.

"It is affecting productions. All films have to be finished by March. So, whether the strike goes ahead or not, there's a de facto strike. Actors won't work and writers won't work,' Fellner said.

"The players went on strike, which decimated the industry. The public lost confidence in the sport," he added.

Peter Carlton of FilmFour said the strike was "certainly something that was having far-reaching implications".

"If it goes on for very long, it will upset the studio schedule. That's the thing that will impact on the high street. Long-term, it can reduce the diversity of films as only the big studios can take that kind of hit," Carlton added. (ANI)