SAG-AFTRA and Studios Resume Negotiations for Actors’ Contract After Writers’ Deal
The ongoing negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have resumed for the first time since the actors went on strike on July 14. This development comes on the heels of the recent tentative deal reached between the studios and the Writers Guild of America (WGA).
Both SAG-AFTRA and the studios have announced that they will meet on October 2 to discuss a new contract. Representatives from AMPTP companies will also be present during the negotiations. The agreement between the studios and the WGA may serve as a starting point for discussions between the actors and studios.
While the writers were successful in securing minimum wage raises, a new residuals formula for streaming shows and movies, and protections for the use of artificial intelligence, SAG-AFTRA has its own set of demands. The guild is seeking additional protections and minimums for background actors and stunt performers, as well as regulations concerning self-taped auditions. Their concerns regarding artificial intelligence are even more complex than those faced by the writers, which led to delays in the contract talks.
One of the major differences between the writers and the actors is the proposed raise percentage. The WGA secured a 5 percent raise in the first year of the contract, whereas SAG-AFTRA originally asked for an 11 percent raise, citing rising inflation costs. It remains to be seen if the studios will be willing to exceed the raise percentage agreed upon with the writers.
Given the complexities of the negotiations, it is anticipated that several more weeks of discussions will be required before a tentative deal is reached, followed by a vote to end the actors’ strike. Industry experts are predicting that production will likely resume in early November or around Thanksgiving.
The resolution of the Writers Guild of America strike took 148 days, involving three intense days of bargaining and high-level meetings. If a deal had not been reached during that time, the studios would have turned their attention to SAG-AFTRA. The actors’ union hopes for a different outcome as they navigate the negotiation process.
In conclusion, the negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the studios are back on track after the recent deal reached between the writers and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Both sides will need to find common ground on various issues, including raise percentages and specific demands unique to actors. As the discussions progress, the industry eagerly awaits the resumption of production and a resolution to the actors’ strike.
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