SAG-AFTRA will license Nielsen’s streaming content data, which the union will to enforce the terms of its 2023 contract with Hollywood studios.
Under the deal for Nielsen’s Streaming Content Ratings, SAG-AFTRA will have “an objective source of domestic viewership data for original streaming programming,” the parties announced. The data will inform the union’s forecasting and enforcement efforts around the new terms of the streaming bonus provisions of the 2023 TV/Theatrical Contract.
SAG-AFTRA’s deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, reached in December 2023 after a 118-day strike, includes a $40 million residual bonus pool for actors on streaming shows in the first year of the agreement. That is significantly less than the union originally was seeking — which at one point was $500 million per year.
The AMPTP deal with SAG-AFTRA provides a 75% residual bonus for actors who appear on the most-watched made-for-streaming shows. Another 25% — or about $10 million...
Under the deal for Nielsen’s Streaming Content Ratings, SAG-AFTRA will have “an objective source of domestic viewership data for original streaming programming,” the parties announced. The data will inform the union’s forecasting and enforcement efforts around the new terms of the streaming bonus provisions of the 2023 TV/Theatrical Contract.
SAG-AFTRA’s deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, reached in December 2023 after a 118-day strike, includes a $40 million residual bonus pool for actors on streaming shows in the first year of the agreement. That is significantly less than the union originally was seeking — which at one point was $500 million per year.
The AMPTP deal with SAG-AFTRA provides a 75% residual bonus for actors who appear on the most-watched made-for-streaming shows. Another 25% — or about $10 million...
- 5/2/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA has cut a deal with the measurement and analytics firm Nielsen to be a third-party provider of streaming content measurement.
The Nielsen data — from its Streaming Content Ratings service — will “complement first-party data from streaming platforms and serve as a consistent and comparable lens through which the performance of streaming titles across various distribution platforms can be analyzed,” the companies said in the announcement.
When SAG-AFTRA cut a deal with the studios in November to end the prolonged actors strike, it included a streaming bonus for shows on platforms like Netflix, Prime Video and Peacock that are bona fide hits. The deal saw the streamers agree to release some data privately to the union to help gauge what shows are hits, and which are not. The Nielsen deal suggests that the union wants to be sure there is another party involved for “forecasting and enforcement.”
“New business models require new tools,...
The Nielsen data — from its Streaming Content Ratings service — will “complement first-party data from streaming platforms and serve as a consistent and comparable lens through which the performance of streaming titles across various distribution platforms can be analyzed,” the companies said in the announcement.
When SAG-AFTRA cut a deal with the studios in November to end the prolonged actors strike, it included a streaming bonus for shows on platforms like Netflix, Prime Video and Peacock that are bona fide hits. The deal saw the streamers agree to release some data privately to the union to help gauge what shows are hits, and which are not. The Nielsen deal suggests that the union wants to be sure there is another party involved for “forecasting and enforcement.”
“New business models require new tools,...
- 5/2/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As SAG-AFTRA and other artists’ groups sound the alarm over the proliferation of AI deepfakes, studios are warning that too sweeping a proposed solution would violate the First Amendment.
The alternate views of a draft bill, called the No Fakes Act, were apparent in a Senate hearing on Tuesday, underscoring the thorny task at hand for lawmakers as they try to establish guardrails around AI technology.
The Motion Picture Association’s senior VP Ben Sheffner cautioned that “legislating in this area involves doing something that the First Amendment sharply limits: Regulating the content of speech.”
“It will take very careful drafting to accomplish the bill’s goals without inadvertently chilling or even prohibiting legitimate, Constitutionally protected uses of technology to enhance storytelling,” he said.
The draft Senate bill would give individuals a “digital replication right” to authorize the use of their image, voice or visual likeness. The right also would extend to the heirs,...
The alternate views of a draft bill, called the No Fakes Act, were apparent in a Senate hearing on Tuesday, underscoring the thorny task at hand for lawmakers as they try to establish guardrails around AI technology.
The Motion Picture Association’s senior VP Ben Sheffner cautioned that “legislating in this area involves doing something that the First Amendment sharply limits: Regulating the content of speech.”
“It will take very careful drafting to accomplish the bill’s goals without inadvertently chilling or even prohibiting legitimate, Constitutionally protected uses of technology to enhance storytelling,” he said.
The draft Senate bill would give individuals a “digital replication right” to authorize the use of their image, voice or visual likeness. The right also would extend to the heirs,...
- 5/1/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA members have nearly unanimously approved the union’s new Sound Recordings Code.
The deal, which runs through 2026, received 97.69% yes votes. The major record labels covered by the agreement include Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Disney Music Group, as well as most of their subsidiary labels.
Among the provisions secured in the new contract are protections against artificial intelligence, which SAG-AFTRA said will go into effect immediately. Those include codifying that the terms “artist,” “singer” and “royalty artist” under this agreement only include humans. The contract also demands “clear and conspicuous” consent along with compensation for use of a digital replica.
Each company also agreed to semi-annual meetings with SAG-AFTRA to discuss the “label’s current and planned activities with respect to generative artificial intelligence.”
SAG-AFTRA also achieved increased minimums that equate to a compounded total wage increase of 26.3% over the term.
The union is...
The deal, which runs through 2026, received 97.69% yes votes. The major record labels covered by the agreement include Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Disney Music Group, as well as most of their subsidiary labels.
Among the provisions secured in the new contract are protections against artificial intelligence, which SAG-AFTRA said will go into effect immediately. Those include codifying that the terms “artist,” “singer” and “royalty artist” under this agreement only include humans. The contract also demands “clear and conspicuous” consent along with compensation for use of a digital replica.
Each company also agreed to semi-annual meetings with SAG-AFTRA to discuss the “label’s current and planned activities with respect to generative artificial intelligence.”
SAG-AFTRA also achieved increased minimums that equate to a compounded total wage increase of 26.3% over the term.
The union is...
- 5/1/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA, IATSE the WGA, and the DGA have united behind a legislative move to put up some new and slightly punitive guardrails around Artificial Intelligence.
“Everything generated by AI ultimately originates from a human creative source, says Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, of a new bill proposed today by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-ca). “That’s why human creative content—intellectual property—must be protected. SAG-AFTRA fully supports the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act, as this legislation is an important step in ensuring technology serves people and not the other way around.”
Deep into his race to be California’s new junior Senator, Schiff introduced the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act into the 118th Congress (read it here) Tuesday. If passed by the House and Senate and signed by President Joe Biden, the succinct act would require companies and corporations that use copyrighted works in the...
“Everything generated by AI ultimately originates from a human creative source, says Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, of a new bill proposed today by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-ca). “That’s why human creative content—intellectual property—must be protected. SAG-AFTRA fully supports the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act, as this legislation is an important step in ensuring technology serves people and not the other way around.”
Deep into his race to be California’s new junior Senator, Schiff introduced the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act into the 118th Congress (read it here) Tuesday. If passed by the House and Senate and signed by President Joe Biden, the succinct act would require companies and corporations that use copyrighted works in the...
- 4/9/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA members have ratified new three-year television animation contracts covering voice actors, the first to tackle the threat of artificial intelligence.
In a ratification vote that ended on Friday, 95.52 percent of members voted to support the Television Animation Agreement and the Basic Cable Animation Agreement deal reached by union negotiators and 4.48 percent voted against the deal. The performers’ union first announced that a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on the contracts had been reached on Feb. 21.
“The foundation of this agreement was based on the feedback we got from members who work these contracts, and that remained the negotiating committee’s focus throughout bargaining. We are proud to have delivered an agreement that offers big wins in those areas,” TV animation negotiating committee co-chairs Bob Bergen and David Jolliffe said in a statement.
The new deal provides for seven percent wage increases in the...
In a ratification vote that ended on Friday, 95.52 percent of members voted to support the Television Animation Agreement and the Basic Cable Animation Agreement deal reached by union negotiators and 4.48 percent voted against the deal. The performers’ union first announced that a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on the contracts had been reached on Feb. 21.
“The foundation of this agreement was based on the feedback we got from members who work these contracts, and that remained the negotiating committee’s focus throughout bargaining. We are proud to have delivered an agreement that offers big wins in those areas,” TV animation negotiating committee co-chairs Bob Bergen and David Jolliffe said in a statement.
The new deal provides for seven percent wage increases in the...
- 3/23/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SAG-AFTRA announced Friday that members have ratified new three-year contracts for voice actors who work on animated TV shows.
The deals addressed the same concerns that fueled last year’s 118-day actors’ strike, notably artificial intelligence, which many actors fear will replace their jobs.
As with the live-action agreement, the animation deals do not forbid the use of AI. But they do prevent actors’ voices from being recreated without their permission.
Though the animation terms are largely patterned on the deal that ended the strike, there are a couple of differences. SAG-AFTRA negotiated for language declaring that animation voice actors must be human beings — a definition that was not included in the TV/Theatrical deal.
“We’ve got it in writing,” the union stated on X, formerly known as Twitter, earlier this month. “‘Voice actors’ includes Only humans in the new TV Animation Agreements!”
The lack of that definition in...
The deals addressed the same concerns that fueled last year’s 118-day actors’ strike, notably artificial intelligence, which many actors fear will replace their jobs.
As with the live-action agreement, the animation deals do not forbid the use of AI. But they do prevent actors’ voices from being recreated without their permission.
Though the animation terms are largely patterned on the deal that ended the strike, there are a couple of differences. SAG-AFTRA negotiated for language declaring that animation voice actors must be human beings — a definition that was not included in the TV/Theatrical deal.
“We’ve got it in writing,” the union stated on X, formerly known as Twitter, earlier this month. “‘Voice actors’ includes Only humans in the new TV Animation Agreements!”
The lack of that definition in...
- 3/23/2024
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA members have voted overwhelmingly to approve a new TV animation contract, the guild announced Friday.
The new animation voice acting agreement was ratified by 95.52%, the guild said; total voter turnout was not revealed.
The new contract includes a 7% raise, backdated to July 1, 2023, as well as protections against so-called “artificial intelligence” software, according to the guild.
According to a summary published Friday by SAG-AFTRA, the AI provisions define the term “voice acting” as only pertaining to human beings. While the deal doesn’t forbid the use of AI to replicate human voices, the recognizability requirement that applies to performers’ rights has been adjusted to account for the fact voice actors often use voices unlike their own, the guild said.
Among those adjustments, the digital replica must “be readily identifiable and attributable to the voice actor through contracts or other regular business records, and it doesn’t have to sound like...
The new animation voice acting agreement was ratified by 95.52%, the guild said; total voter turnout was not revealed.
The new contract includes a 7% raise, backdated to July 1, 2023, as well as protections against so-called “artificial intelligence” software, according to the guild.
According to a summary published Friday by SAG-AFTRA, the AI provisions define the term “voice acting” as only pertaining to human beings. While the deal doesn’t forbid the use of AI to replicate human voices, the recognizability requirement that applies to performers’ rights has been adjusted to account for the fact voice actors often use voices unlike their own, the guild said.
Among those adjustments, the digital replica must “be readily identifiable and attributable to the voice actor through contracts or other regular business records, and it doesn’t have to sound like...
- 3/23/2024
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Games like Call of Duty are having a hard time keeping up in the market and now video game companies are likely to face a potential backlash from SAG-AFTRA actors. The world already witnessed the repercussions the last time writers from the guild went on strike.
Last year’s strike was the biggest in SAG-AFTRA history. Its combined impact with the WGA was devastating to the film and television industries, affecting 45,000 jobs and causing over $6 billion in losses to the Southern Californian economy. It was considered the biggest interruption since Covid-19 hit the world.
Call of Duty Has Been Through Much Trouble Already, Now This
The SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes were a hard blow for Southern California.
While speaking at SXSW in Austin, Texas, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland raised concerns over AI-generated content in the entertainment industry. He indicated a potential strike from the union against video game companies in the upcoming weeks.
Last year’s strike was the biggest in SAG-AFTRA history. Its combined impact with the WGA was devastating to the film and television industries, affecting 45,000 jobs and causing over $6 billion in losses to the Southern Californian economy. It was considered the biggest interruption since Covid-19 hit the world.
Call of Duty Has Been Through Much Trouble Already, Now This
The SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes were a hard blow for Southern California.
While speaking at SXSW in Austin, Texas, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland raised concerns over AI-generated content in the entertainment industry. He indicated a potential strike from the union against video game companies in the upcoming weeks.
- 3/13/2024
- by Anurag Batham
- FandomWire
Will Hollywood experience another actors strike in the coming months?
After more than a year of negotiating with the video game companies on a new Interactive Media Agreement, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland indicated the guild might soon be walking away from the table due to sticking points regarding artificial intelligence.
“We have strike authorization on that contract and it is, at this point, at least 50/50, if not more likely, that we end up going on strike…in the next four to six weeks because of the inability to get past these basic AI issues,” he said during a conversation with Brendan Vaughan, Editor-in-Chief of Fast Company, at SXSW focused on the intersection of Hollywood and AI.
In September, members overwhelmingly authorized a strike authorization on this current contract.
This is talk of another strike comes on the heels of the actors’ 118-day work stoppage last year to achieve...
After more than a year of negotiating with the video game companies on a new Interactive Media Agreement, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland indicated the guild might soon be walking away from the table due to sticking points regarding artificial intelligence.
“We have strike authorization on that contract and it is, at this point, at least 50/50, if not more likely, that we end up going on strike…in the next four to six weeks because of the inability to get past these basic AI issues,” he said during a conversation with Brendan Vaughan, Editor-in-Chief of Fast Company, at SXSW focused on the intersection of Hollywood and AI.
In September, members overwhelmingly authorized a strike authorization on this current contract.
This is talk of another strike comes on the heels of the actors’ 118-day work stoppage last year to achieve...
- 3/9/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Issues around the use of AI in the production process is the big sticking point in SAG-AFTRA’s negotiations with the largest video game companies, SAG-AFTRA chief Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said Saturday during a wide-ranging Q&a at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Crabtree-Ireland, who is national executive director and chief negotiator of the performers union, said he put the chances of union members striking against key game companies is “50-50, or more likely than that we will go on strike in the next four to six weeks because of our inability to get past these issues,” Crabtree-Ireland told Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company, during a conversation focused on AI.
In September, some 98% of SAG-AFTRA members voted to authorize a strike against major video game producers including Activision (now part of Microsoft), Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Take Two and WB Games.
The union leader acknowledged that there are strong opinions and...
Crabtree-Ireland, who is national executive director and chief negotiator of the performers union, said he put the chances of union members striking against key game companies is “50-50, or more likely than that we will go on strike in the next four to six weeks because of our inability to get past these issues,” Crabtree-Ireland told Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company, during a conversation focused on AI.
In September, some 98% of SAG-AFTRA members voted to authorize a strike against major video game producers including Activision (now part of Microsoft), Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Take Two and WB Games.
The union leader acknowledged that there are strong opinions and...
- 3/9/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Using fiery language like “solidarity is the solution to corporate greed” and “if we don’t get what we want, we will shut it f–king down day one,” union leaders on Sunday held what was dubbed a “unity rally” to rev up crew workers before joint negotiations begin Monday between IATSE, Teamsters Local 399 and Hollywood Basic Crafts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Hundreds of workers from all facets of the below-the-line community, from electrical workers and plasterers to editors, costumers and script supervisors packed a park just west of the I-405 in Encino, CA. to gear up for what they hope will be a successful negotiation period with the studios.
This year’s bargaining cycle marks the first time since 1988 that IATSE, Teamsters and the Hollywood Basic Crafts will jointly bargain health and pension benefits for their members under the shared Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan.
Hundreds of workers from all facets of the below-the-line community, from electrical workers and plasterers to editors, costumers and script supervisors packed a park just west of the I-405 in Encino, CA. to gear up for what they hope will be a successful negotiation period with the studios.
This year’s bargaining cycle marks the first time since 1988 that IATSE, Teamsters and the Hollywood Basic Crafts will jointly bargain health and pension benefits for their members under the shared Motion Picture Pension and Health Plan.
- 3/3/2024
- by Lynette Rice and Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA is sending its latest TV animation agreement to its members for a vote.
The guild announced Friday that the executive committee had approved the 2023 contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, so it will now be sent to all members for ratification.
According to SAG, the new three-year contract also benefitted from some of the gains made in the TV/Theatrical Contract, which the union went on strike for 118 days to achieve. Particularly, the guild highlighted the artificial intelligence protections in the animation agreement.
The new contract includes language denoting voice actors as “only humans” and also established regular, mandatory artificial intelligence meetings with producers, which will include discussion of methods and systems to track the use of digital replicas.
Here are more of the key points of the deal related to AI:
Removed the requirement that a digital replica must exclusively sound like the recognizable...
The guild announced Friday that the executive committee had approved the 2023 contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, so it will now be sent to all members for ratification.
According to SAG, the new three-year contract also benefitted from some of the gains made in the TV/Theatrical Contract, which the union went on strike for 118 days to achieve. Particularly, the guild highlighted the artificial intelligence protections in the animation agreement.
The new contract includes language denoting voice actors as “only humans” and also established regular, mandatory artificial intelligence meetings with producers, which will include discussion of methods and systems to track the use of digital replicas.
Here are more of the key points of the deal related to AI:
Removed the requirement that a digital replica must exclusively sound like the recognizable...
- 3/2/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Despite final voting for the 2024 Oscars having already commenced, there is still juice worth squeezing out of the final stretch of award shows setting the tone for who could win on March 10.
For example, Best Picture nominee Christine Vachon introducing “Past Lives” writer-director Celine Song to accept the Debut Feature Award at the 2024 Kodak Film Awards on Friday, February 23 by saying “Celine’s integrity of vision, her absolute knowledge of the story that she wanted to tell, and her ability to communicate that to everybody on our set, and to the actors was just transcendent,” does tee up the recent DGA Award winner well in the ongoing campaign to pull off a surprise win for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar (BAFTA winner “Anatomy of a Fall” is the current frontrunner.)
So the 2024 SAG Awards being seen as the event that determines the result of the four acting races seems like...
For example, Best Picture nominee Christine Vachon introducing “Past Lives” writer-director Celine Song to accept the Debut Feature Award at the 2024 Kodak Film Awards on Friday, February 23 by saying “Celine’s integrity of vision, her absolute knowledge of the story that she wanted to tell, and her ability to communicate that to everybody on our set, and to the actors was just transcendent,” does tee up the recent DGA Award winner well in the ongoing campaign to pull off a surprise win for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar (BAFTA winner “Anatomy of a Fall” is the current frontrunner.)
So the 2024 SAG Awards being seen as the event that determines the result of the four acting races seems like...
- 2/25/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Three months after SAG-AFTRA ended its long and bitter strike against the studios, guild president Fran Drescher took a glamourous and humorous victory lap in front of some of her most notable members Saturday at the SAG Awards.
Thanking IATSE, “Teamsters and basic crafts” at the top of her onstage remarks during the ceremony, Drescher also laid down a marker for what could be more labor unrest to come.
“You took the heroes journey and stood at the front lines, strike captains led the march on the picket lines and we all showed up to the rallies because you understood what our massive contribution means to this marvelous industry,” Drescher told the nominees and guests at the Shrine Auditorium. “This was a seminal moment in our union’s history that has set the trajectory for many generations to come.”
In the first SAG Awards since the strikes that made Drescher...
Thanking IATSE, “Teamsters and basic crafts” at the top of her onstage remarks during the ceremony, Drescher also laid down a marker for what could be more labor unrest to come.
“You took the heroes journey and stood at the front lines, strike captains led the march on the picket lines and we all showed up to the rallies because you understood what our massive contribution means to this marvelous industry,” Drescher told the nominees and guests at the Shrine Auditorium. “This was a seminal moment in our union’s history that has set the trajectory for many generations to come.”
In the first SAG Awards since the strikes that made Drescher...
- 2/25/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Lights, camera, actors! The 30th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards are finally (almost) here, promising a slew of stars on stage. And we’re not only talking about those talents nominated for films like “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” and “The Holdovers” or shows such as “Succession” and “The Bear,” but also the big names on hand to present the statuettes, including stars like Glen Powell and Issa Rae. Click here for the full nominations list.
Already among this year’s most anticipated onstage moments: a reunion between “The Devil Wears Prada” co-stars Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Emily Blunt, who is SAG Award-nominated for her supporting turn in “Oppenheimer.”
The SAG Awards are set to take place on Saturday, February 24. Two-time SAG Award Winner Idris Elba will open the ceremony, and Jennifer Aniston will later present Barbra Streisand with the 59th SAG Life Achievement Award, as previously announced.
The awards show, produced...
Already among this year’s most anticipated onstage moments: a reunion between “The Devil Wears Prada” co-stars Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Emily Blunt, who is SAG Award-nominated for her supporting turn in “Oppenheimer.”
The SAG Awards are set to take place on Saturday, February 24. Two-time SAG Award Winner Idris Elba will open the ceremony, and Jennifer Aniston will later present Barbra Streisand with the 59th SAG Life Achievement Award, as previously announced.
The awards show, produced...
- 2/23/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The annual IndieWire Sundance Chili Party cooked up some fun on January 21 in Park City, Utah.
A staple of the Sundance Film Festival, the 2024 bash was presented by 1497 and SAG-AFTRA, with additional support by Rabbit Hole, and took place at the 1497 South Asian Lodge. IndieWire editor-in-chief and SVP Dana Harris-Bridson and publisher and SVP James Israel welcomed guests ranging from filmmakers to journalists alike.
1497 is an advocacy group supporting and uplifting talent of South Asian descent to challenge their historical exclusion from and underrepresentation in the American film and TV industry. “Alok” subject Alok Vaid-Menon was thus a perfect host for the event. In their speech, Vaid-Menon meaningfully spoke out on the new anti-trans Utah bill onstage, and talked about the importance of artists in a time of turmoil.
“When I’m feeling despair, I turn towards artists,” artist Vaid-Menon said. “What art teaches us is that beauty will forever be more powerful than violence,...
A staple of the Sundance Film Festival, the 2024 bash was presented by 1497 and SAG-AFTRA, with additional support by Rabbit Hole, and took place at the 1497 South Asian Lodge. IndieWire editor-in-chief and SVP Dana Harris-Bridson and publisher and SVP James Israel welcomed guests ranging from filmmakers to journalists alike.
1497 is an advocacy group supporting and uplifting talent of South Asian descent to challenge their historical exclusion from and underrepresentation in the American film and TV industry. “Alok” subject Alok Vaid-Menon was thus a perfect host for the event. In their speech, Vaid-Menon meaningfully spoke out on the new anti-trans Utah bill onstage, and talked about the importance of artists in a time of turmoil.
“When I’m feeling despair, I turn towards artists,” artist Vaid-Menon said. “What art teaches us is that beauty will forever be more powerful than violence,...
- 1/23/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The leader of the American Federation of Musicians proclaimed that Hollywood labor is “in a new era” as dozens of members of various entertainment unions came to the doorstep of studio labor negotiators in support of the start of his union’s contract negotiations on Monday.
As an early drizzle that morning turned into driving rain, members of the Writers Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and Teamsters Local 399 rallied in front of the Sherman Oaks offices of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers with picket signs, and a few umbrellas, in hand. To AFM’s chief negotiator and international president Tino Gagliardi, this kind of unity for musicians was unlike anything he’d seen in his time in union leadership. “We’re in a new era, especially in the American labor movement, with regard to everyone coalescing and coming together and collaborating in order to get what...
As an early drizzle that morning turned into driving rain, members of the Writers Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and Teamsters Local 399 rallied in front of the Sherman Oaks offices of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers with picket signs, and a few umbrellas, in hand. To AFM’s chief negotiator and international president Tino Gagliardi, this kind of unity for musicians was unlike anything he’d seen in his time in union leadership. “We’re in a new era, especially in the American labor movement, with regard to everyone coalescing and coming together and collaborating in order to get what...
- 1/22/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Most of Hollywood might be in need of a breather from talking about the consequences of AI after the topic dominated most industry conversations for the better part of last year, but SAG-AFTRA is still looking for ways to keep its members protected as the tech advances.
The guild announced Tuesday that it had inked a deal with AI company Replica Studios regarding the use of digital voice replicas in video games. The agreement will span both the creation of digital voice replicas and their use throughout game development.
SAG-AFTRA’s National Executive Director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said that the agreement illustrates SAG-AFTRA’s “intent and ability to work with employers to create terms that benefit and protect our members and allow them to engage with opportunities driven by new technologies.”
The deal comes after the guild recently ratified its film and TV with the AMPTP following a...
The guild announced Tuesday that it had inked a deal with AI company Replica Studios regarding the use of digital voice replicas in video games. The agreement will span both the creation of digital voice replicas and their use throughout game development.
SAG-AFTRA’s National Executive Director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said that the agreement illustrates SAG-AFTRA’s “intent and ability to work with employers to create terms that benefit and protect our members and allow them to engage with opportunities driven by new technologies.”
The deal comes after the guild recently ratified its film and TV with the AMPTP following a...
- 1/10/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA and AI voice technology company Replica Studios introduced an AI voice agreement on the opening day of CES, where AI is a defining subject at the Las Vegas confab.
According to SAG-AFTRA, the agreement allows its members to “safely explore new employment opportunities for their digital voice replicas with industry-leading protections tailored to AI technology, allowing Aaa video game studios and other companies working with Replica to access top SAG-AFTRA talent.” According to the Guild, this covers licensed voices “in video game development and other interactive media projects from pre-production to final release.”
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national exec director and chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA, said the agreement contains “evolution improvements” such as safe storage to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers agreement. AI was a pivotal issue in resolving its recent strike with AMPTP, which represents Hollywood producers.
In addition to establishing minimum terms and conditions, the agreement...
According to SAG-AFTRA, the agreement allows its members to “safely explore new employment opportunities for their digital voice replicas with industry-leading protections tailored to AI technology, allowing Aaa video game studios and other companies working with Replica to access top SAG-AFTRA talent.” According to the Guild, this covers licensed voices “in video game development and other interactive media projects from pre-production to final release.”
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national exec director and chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA, said the agreement contains “evolution improvements” such as safe storage to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers agreement. AI was a pivotal issue in resolving its recent strike with AMPTP, which represents Hollywood producers.
In addition to establishing minimum terms and conditions, the agreement...
- 1/9/2024
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After four long months marching on Hollywood picket lines, bargaining inside hostile negotiating rooms, and giving Buddhist sermons, Fran Drescher can finally exhale.
Through the 118-day actors’ strike, The Nanny star turned SAG-AFTRA national president, joined by SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, has served as the face of the 160,000-strong union and says she uses the Nineties sitcom’s message around unity and acceptance in her leadership. “I can be exactly who I am,” she says in her raspy Queens accent, “and still rock a red lip and hold a plushie toy.
Through the 118-day actors’ strike, The Nanny star turned SAG-AFTRA national president, joined by SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, has served as the face of the 160,000-strong union and says she uses the Nineties sitcom’s message around unity and acceptance in her leadership. “I can be exactly who I am,” she says in her raspy Queens accent, “and still rock a red lip and hold a plushie toy.
- 12/9/2023
- by Kalia Richardson
- Rollingstone.com
On Dec. 5, SAG-AFTRA members wrapped Hollywood’s season of labor turmoil by ratifying the contract deal that ended the 118-day actors’ strike. Voting 78.33 percent to 21.67 percent to approve the compromise reached by their negotiators, actors sent a resounding, if not overwhelming, message that the agreement — the merits of which had inspired heated debate online for weeks — was sufficient to end a fraught negotiation period.
The contract, valued at over $1 billion, is the result of the 160,000-member union’s stand over the changing nature of employment for performers in the streaming era and the rising threat of AI. “I hope [this deal] sends a clear message to anyone who thought that ultimately SAG-AFTRA wouldn’t go on strike or its members weren’t willing to take that hit to make sure that the contract terms were fair. Hopefully that notion has been dispelled,” the union’s chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, tells The Hollywood Reporter.
The contract, valued at over $1 billion, is the result of the 160,000-member union’s stand over the changing nature of employment for performers in the streaming era and the rising threat of AI. “I hope [this deal] sends a clear message to anyone who thought that ultimately SAG-AFTRA wouldn’t go on strike or its members weren’t willing to take that hit to make sure that the contract terms were fair. Hopefully that notion has been dispelled,” the union’s chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, tells The Hollywood Reporter.
- 12/6/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Frankly, I’m exhausted,” SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher told Variety minutes after the union disclosed the ratification vote tally that sealed the deal on its hard-fought new three-year contract.
Drescher and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s union’s national executive director and chief negotiator, took a moment to reflect Tuesday evening on the winding road that led the union to wage its first strike in more than 40 years, as well as the high-stakes negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and studio chiefs that produced the deal.
For nearly four months, SAG-AFTRA’s indefatigable duo were the face of the 118-day strike by the union’s 160,000 members. Despite a healthy debate during the ratification vote period over whether the protections achieved around AI were significant enough to protect actors in the future, Drescher and Crabtree-Ireland say the larger achievements of the contract are unequivocally game-changing for Hollywood.
Drescher and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s union’s national executive director and chief negotiator, took a moment to reflect Tuesday evening on the winding road that led the union to wage its first strike in more than 40 years, as well as the high-stakes negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and studio chiefs that produced the deal.
For nearly four months, SAG-AFTRA’s indefatigable duo were the face of the 118-day strike by the union’s 160,000 members. Despite a healthy debate during the ratification vote period over whether the protections achieved around AI were significant enough to protect actors in the future, Drescher and Crabtree-Ireland say the larger achievements of the contract are unequivocally game-changing for Hollywood.
- 12/6/2023
- by Gene Maddaus and Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Hollywood’s long strike season is over and the town can finally get back to work without the specter of any more labor action, for now.
Actors were on strike for 118 days, but after ratifying the deal between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP, with a very healthy 78.33% of the votes, thesps, scribes, directors and crew — not to mention of all of the associated workers — can head into 2024 with a bit of optimism.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, National Executive Director of SAG-AFTRA and Chief Negotiator, who alongside President Fran Drescher and the guild’s negotiating committee spent many months working to secure this deal, spoke to Deadline an hour after Tuesday’s ratification vote. He evidently was pleased with both the result and the turnout, higher than even he saw coming.
The deal, which is worth around $1B over three years, comes with the union’s first-ever protections around AI technology, albeit controversial ones,...
Actors were on strike for 118 days, but after ratifying the deal between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP, with a very healthy 78.33% of the votes, thesps, scribes, directors and crew — not to mention of all of the associated workers — can head into 2024 with a bit of optimism.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, National Executive Director of SAG-AFTRA and Chief Negotiator, who alongside President Fran Drescher and the guild’s negotiating committee spent many months working to secure this deal, spoke to Deadline an hour after Tuesday’s ratification vote. He evidently was pleased with both the result and the turnout, higher than even he saw coming.
The deal, which is worth around $1B over three years, comes with the union’s first-ever protections around AI technology, albeit controversial ones,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA members have voted to ratify the tentative three-year contract with major Hollywood studios and streaming companies.
The deal was green-lit by a vote of 78.33 percent to 21.67 percent with a turnout of 38.15 percent; the new agreement will take effect retroactive to June 9, and will extend to June 30, 2026.
“I’m proud of our SAG-AFTRA membership. They struck for 118 days to grant the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee the necessary leverage to secure over $1 billion in gains, along with the union’s first-ever protections around AI technology. Now they’ve locked in the gains by ratifying the contract,...
The deal was green-lit by a vote of 78.33 percent to 21.67 percent with a turnout of 38.15 percent; the new agreement will take effect retroactive to June 9, and will extend to June 30, 2026.
“I’m proud of our SAG-AFTRA membership. They struck for 118 days to grant the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee the necessary leverage to secure over $1 billion in gains, along with the union’s first-ever protections around AI technology. Now they’ve locked in the gains by ratifying the contract,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
Members vote 78.33% in favour, with turnout of 38.15%.
SAG-AFTRA members have voted to ratify the tentative three-year deal struck with the studios and streamers last month by a vote of 78.33% to 21.67% with a turnout of 38.15%.
The new contract will run retroactively from November 9 of this year through June 30, 2026. The 18-day strike pasued on November 9 while members engaged in the ratification vote, which ended at 5pm Pt on Tuesday.
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said, “SAG-AFTRA members have remained incredibly engaged throughout this process, and I know they’ll continue their advocacy throughout our next negotiation cycle. This is a golden age for SAG-AFTRA,...
SAG-AFTRA members have voted to ratify the tentative three-year deal struck with the studios and streamers last month by a vote of 78.33% to 21.67% with a turnout of 38.15%.
The new contract will run retroactively from November 9 of this year through June 30, 2026. The 18-day strike pasued on November 9 while members engaged in the ratification vote, which ended at 5pm Pt on Tuesday.
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said, “SAG-AFTRA members have remained incredibly engaged throughout this process, and I know they’ll continue their advocacy throughout our next negotiation cycle. This is a golden age for SAG-AFTRA,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Actors are in favor of the new contract its guild has won from the studios, though not without some dissent among the ranks. SAG-AFTRA members have voted in favor of ratifying the new deal, with 78.33 percent of members who participated voting to approve the contract. The strike is officially over.
The guild said on December 5 that of the 38.15 percent voter turnout, 21.67 percent voted “No.” That’s far from the near-unanimous support with which WGA members ratified the writers deal earlier this fall. But in 2020, the last time the SAG-AFTRA contract came up for ratification, the actors union saw a turnout of just 27.15 percent of its members; 74.22 percent voted to approve it.
Actors will now work under this contract until June 30, 2026.
“I’m proud of our SAG-AFTRA membership,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher in a statment sent to press. “They struck for 118 days to grant the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee the...
The guild said on December 5 that of the 38.15 percent voter turnout, 21.67 percent voted “No.” That’s far from the near-unanimous support with which WGA members ratified the writers deal earlier this fall. But in 2020, the last time the SAG-AFTRA contract came up for ratification, the actors union saw a turnout of just 27.15 percent of its members; 74.22 percent voted to approve it.
Actors will now work under this contract until June 30, 2026.
“I’m proud of our SAG-AFTRA membership,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher in a statment sent to press. “They struck for 118 days to grant the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee the...
- 12/6/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Actors have officially given the stamp of approval for their latest deal with the studios.
SAG-AFTRA, which opened the ratification vote on November 14, has revealed that 78.33% of ballots were in favor of the November 8 tentative agreement with the AMPTP. That number is much higher than many expected given some of the noise on social media, particularly around A.I.
The vote by SAG-AFTRA members on the new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on Tuesday, officially closes the labor actor that saw the Guild on the strike for 118 days — though many productions have already returned to work as permitted by SAG-AFTRA last month.
The 160,000-strong Guild’s rules required a majority vote of 50% + 1 of ballots to ratify the new deal. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the last contract was approved by 74% of voting members. In 2017, 76% of voting members said, “Yes” to a new three-year contract.
SAG-AFTRA, which opened the ratification vote on November 14, has revealed that 78.33% of ballots were in favor of the November 8 tentative agreement with the AMPTP. That number is much higher than many expected given some of the noise on social media, particularly around A.I.
The vote by SAG-AFTRA members on the new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on Tuesday, officially closes the labor actor that saw the Guild on the strike for 118 days — though many productions have already returned to work as permitted by SAG-AFTRA last month.
The 160,000-strong Guild’s rules required a majority vote of 50% + 1 of ballots to ratify the new deal. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the last contract was approved by 74% of voting members. In 2017, 76% of voting members said, “Yes” to a new three-year contract.
- 12/6/2023
- by Katie Campione and Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA members have voted to ratify the tentative deal that brought an end to the 118-day actors’ strike.
In a contest that ended on Tuesday evening, 78.33 percent voted “yes” on the contract and 21.67 percent voted “no,” with a turnout of 38.15 percent. With members greenlighting the deal, the new agreement will now take effect retroactive to June 9, and will extend to June 30, 2026.
“This contract is an enormous victory for working performers, and it marks the dawning of a new era for the industry. Getting to this point was truly a collective effort,” union president Fran Drescher and national executive director Duncan Crabtree Ireland said in a joint statement to members on Tuesday night.
Added Drescher in her own statement, “SAG-AFTRA members have remained incredibly engaged throughout this process, and I know they’ll continue their advocacy throughout our next negotiation cycle. This is a golden age for SAG-AFTRA, and our union has never been more powerful.
In a contest that ended on Tuesday evening, 78.33 percent voted “yes” on the contract and 21.67 percent voted “no,” with a turnout of 38.15 percent. With members greenlighting the deal, the new agreement will now take effect retroactive to June 9, and will extend to June 30, 2026.
“This contract is an enormous victory for working performers, and it marks the dawning of a new era for the industry. Getting to this point was truly a collective effort,” union president Fran Drescher and national executive director Duncan Crabtree Ireland said in a joint statement to members on Tuesday night.
Added Drescher in her own statement, “SAG-AFTRA members have remained incredibly engaged throughout this process, and I know they’ll continue their advocacy throughout our next negotiation cycle. This is a golden age for SAG-AFTRA, and our union has never been more powerful.
- 12/6/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SAG-AFTRA members have voted to ratify their contract, officially ending the longest labor battle in Hollywood history.
The contract was approved with 78% voting in favor. Turnout was 38%.
“This contract is an enormous victory for working performers, and it marks the dawning of a new era for the industry,” Fran Drescher, the union’s president, said in a message to the membership.
SAG-AFTRA suspended its 118-day strike against the major studios on Nov. 8, after reaching a tentative agreement. The agreement still had to be ratified to formally end the walkout. Had the membership voted it down, the strike likely would have resumed.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios in bargaining, issued a statement applauding the vote.
“The AMPTP member companies congratulate SAG-AFTRA on the ratification of its new contract, which represents historic gains and protections for performers,” an AMPTP spokesperson said. “With this vote, the...
The contract was approved with 78% voting in favor. Turnout was 38%.
“This contract is an enormous victory for working performers, and it marks the dawning of a new era for the industry,” Fran Drescher, the union’s president, said in a message to the membership.
SAG-AFTRA suspended its 118-day strike against the major studios on Nov. 8, after reaching a tentative agreement. The agreement still had to be ratified to formally end the walkout. Had the membership voted it down, the strike likely would have resumed.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios in bargaining, issued a statement applauding the vote.
“The AMPTP member companies congratulate SAG-AFTRA on the ratification of its new contract, which represents historic gains and protections for performers,” an AMPTP spokesperson said. “With this vote, the...
- 12/6/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
We now have a few more details on exactly how, following this year’s strikes, the streaming residuals for both actors and writers will work in the future.
The strikes that crippled Hollywood and forced major studios to delay most of their slate have finally come to an end. The Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) reached and agreement with Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) in late September and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) followed on 9th November.
One of the key issues in both negotiations was streaming residuals. Writers and actors typically get a fee every time their project is broadcast, but in the era of streaming, these residuals have begun to seem a bit small when platforms allow subscribers to stream hours and hours of TV shows and films.
Deadline has done a comprehensive explanation on just how the...
The strikes that crippled Hollywood and forced major studios to delay most of their slate have finally come to an end. The Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) reached and agreement with Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) in late September and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) followed on 9th November.
One of the key issues in both negotiations was streaming residuals. Writers and actors typically get a fee every time their project is broadcast, but in the era of streaming, these residuals have begun to seem a bit small when platforms allow subscribers to stream hours and hours of TV shows and films.
Deadline has done a comprehensive explanation on just how the...
- 12/1/2023
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
Writers and actors spent the summer searching for increased residuals for streaming shows and they were somewhat successful. Both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA secured success-based bonuses for series at Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney+, Max, Peacock and Paramount+ as part of their shiny three-year agreements.
But what does it mean in practice? What shows will really nab the bonus checks? How much will they make and what comes next?
It’s clear that Netflix’s biggest series such as Stranger Things, Wednesday and Bridgerton will be rewarded under the new system. But sources and experts told Deadline that it’s likely that a number of other shows such as Peacock’s Natasha Lyonne-fronted Poker Face and Disney+’s Marvel series Secret Invasion starring Samuel L. Jackson would be close to making the cut through the revamped model.
On the other hand, it might be hard for shows on other streamers...
But what does it mean in practice? What shows will really nab the bonus checks? How much will they make and what comes next?
It’s clear that Netflix’s biggest series such as Stranger Things, Wednesday and Bridgerton will be rewarded under the new system. But sources and experts told Deadline that it’s likely that a number of other shows such as Peacock’s Natasha Lyonne-fronted Poker Face and Disney+’s Marvel series Secret Invasion starring Samuel L. Jackson would be close to making the cut through the revamped model.
On the other hand, it might be hard for shows on other streamers...
- 11/30/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav weighed in on the twin SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes and defended the company’s budget cuts — including shelving completed films “Batgirl” and “Coyote vs. Acme” — as requiring “courage” to right-size its balance sheet.
Zaslav, speaking Wednesday at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit, reiterated to moderator Andrew Ross Sorkin that with respect to the strikes, he was focused on achieving a resolution as soon as possible.
“I think the idea of going on strike was bad for all of us,” he said. “My focus was on, we need to settle the strike, every day that we were on strike and people weren’t working was a bad day for us.”
Zaslav recently was quoted in a New York Times piece as saying the WGA was “right about almost everything.” Asked about that at the DealBook event, the CEO stuck by his previous comment and...
Zaslav, speaking Wednesday at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit, reiterated to moderator Andrew Ross Sorkin that with respect to the strikes, he was focused on achieving a resolution as soon as possible.
“I think the idea of going on strike was bad for all of us,” he said. “My focus was on, we need to settle the strike, every day that we were on strike and people weren’t working was a bad day for us.”
Zaslav recently was quoted in a New York Times piece as saying the WGA was “right about almost everything.” Asked about that at the DealBook event, the CEO stuck by his previous comment and...
- 11/29/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
If approved, new deal will run November 9 through June 30, 2026.
SAG-AFTRA has posted the entire 129-page tentative TV and theatrical deal on its website, making it available to members earlier than usual in the ratification process amid vocal criticism from two prominent members.
“As you may know, traditionally SAG-AFTRA contract ratification votes rely on our detailed summaries of the new agreement, as the drafting of a formal memorandum of agreement (Moa) usually takes many weeks,” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s national executive director and chief negotiator, wrote on Friday (November 24). “However, for this historic deal some members have asked to review...
SAG-AFTRA has posted the entire 129-page tentative TV and theatrical deal on its website, making it available to members earlier than usual in the ratification process amid vocal criticism from two prominent members.
“As you may know, traditionally SAG-AFTRA contract ratification votes rely on our detailed summaries of the new agreement, as the drafting of a formal memorandum of agreement (Moa) usually takes many weeks,” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s national executive director and chief negotiator, wrote on Friday (November 24). “However, for this historic deal some members have asked to review...
- 11/25/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
If approved, new deal will run November 9 through June 30, 2026.
SAG-AFTRA has posted the entire 129-page tentative TV and theatrical deal on its website, making it available to members earlier than usual in the ratification process amid vocal criticism from two prominent members.
“As you may know, traditionally SAG-AFTRA contract ratification votes rely on our detailed summaries of the new agreement, as the drafting of a formal memorandum of agreement (Moa) usually takes many weeks,” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s national executive director and chief negotiator wrote on Friday (November 24). “However, for this historic deal some members have asked to review...
SAG-AFTRA has posted the entire 129-page tentative TV and theatrical deal on its website, making it available to members earlier than usual in the ratification process amid vocal criticism from two prominent members.
“As you may know, traditionally SAG-AFTRA contract ratification votes rely on our detailed summaries of the new agreement, as the drafting of a formal memorandum of agreement (Moa) usually takes many weeks,” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s national executive director and chief negotiator wrote on Friday (November 24). “However, for this historic deal some members have asked to review...
- 11/25/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
SAG-AFTRA has released more detailed contract terms than the previous summary of the agreement that was released following the end of the 118-day actors strike.
The performers union released a 128-page document featuring a memorandum of agreements after it received some pressure from members to release the terms of the contract between SAG and the AMPTP ahead of the ratification vote.
“These contracts achieve more than $1 billion in New compensation and benefit plan funding (including an additional $317.2 million to the benefit plans),” national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland wrote in a letter to members.
He continued, “The contracts establish lengthy and detailed AI guardrails that didn’t exist before and do protect you as we meet the challenge of this new technology, hair and makeup equity, significantly increased background coverage, outsized streaming residuals, a new streaming success fund and so much more. These gains are only possible because of your sacrifice,...
The performers union released a 128-page document featuring a memorandum of agreements after it received some pressure from members to release the terms of the contract between SAG and the AMPTP ahead of the ratification vote.
“These contracts achieve more than $1 billion in New compensation and benefit plan funding (including an additional $317.2 million to the benefit plans),” national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland wrote in a letter to members.
He continued, “The contracts establish lengthy and detailed AI guardrails that didn’t exist before and do protect you as we meet the challenge of this new technology, hair and makeup equity, significantly increased background coverage, outsized streaming residuals, a new streaming success fund and so much more. These gains are only possible because of your sacrifice,...
- 11/24/2023
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SAG-AFTRA has released the full 128-page contract that ended the actors strike on Nov. 8, with union leaders urging members to vote yes on the deal by the Dec. 5 ratification deadline.
The hard-fought tentative agreement was sealed after a 118-day strike, which marked the union’s the longest-ever widespread work stoppage and its first since Jimmy Carter was in the White House. The deal ultimately wrangled by SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director and chief negotiator, has been widely praised as groundbreaking. But the terms around generative artificial intelligence have generated some debate, with some prominent members vowing to vote down the contract because the long-term AI protections don’t go far enough to protect jobs, in their view.
Still, after the sacrifice of a long strike that dovetailed in part with the 148-day Writers Guild of America walkout, the potential for a majority of SAG-AFTRA members...
The hard-fought tentative agreement was sealed after a 118-day strike, which marked the union’s the longest-ever widespread work stoppage and its first since Jimmy Carter was in the White House. The deal ultimately wrangled by SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director and chief negotiator, has been widely praised as groundbreaking. But the terms around generative artificial intelligence have generated some debate, with some prominent members vowing to vote down the contract because the long-term AI protections don’t go far enough to protect jobs, in their view.
Still, after the sacrifice of a long strike that dovetailed in part with the 148-day Writers Guild of America walkout, the potential for a majority of SAG-AFTRA members...
- 11/24/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Over two weeks after SAG-AFTRA reached a deal with the studios and ended their nearly four-month long strike, the actors guild has just released the full text of the tentative agreement.
We’ll get into the fine print soon with analysis of this draft document (as Guild National Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland notes: “The Moa is not ‘final’ until signed by both parties), but for now read the full Memorandum of Agreement for yourself here.
A Friday news dump by any other name, the publication of the long awaited 129-page 2023 TV/Theatrical Contracts Memorandum of Agreement was promised two days ago by Guild president Fran Drescher.
“As you may know, traditionally SAG-AFTRA contract ratification votes rely on our detailed summaries of the new agreement, as the drafting of a formal memorandum of agreement (Moa) usually takes many weeks,” Crabtree-Ireland said in a note accompanying the “document in progress” Moa link sent to Guild members this afternoon.
We’ll get into the fine print soon with analysis of this draft document (as Guild National Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland notes: “The Moa is not ‘final’ until signed by both parties), but for now read the full Memorandum of Agreement for yourself here.
A Friday news dump by any other name, the publication of the long awaited 129-page 2023 TV/Theatrical Contracts Memorandum of Agreement was promised two days ago by Guild president Fran Drescher.
“As you may know, traditionally SAG-AFTRA contract ratification votes rely on our detailed summaries of the new agreement, as the drafting of a formal memorandum of agreement (Moa) usually takes many weeks,” Crabtree-Ireland said in a note accompanying the “document in progress” Moa link sent to Guild members this afternoon.
- 11/24/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Justine Bateman has spent the better part of this year warning Hollywood about the potential consequences of artificial intelligence in film and TV, even before the topic became a major part of contract negotiations for both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA.
While both guilds were able to secure guardrails surrounding the uses of AI in their latest contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, Bateman — who is a former member of the SAG board and negotiating committee — thinks the actors union didn’t go far enough.
SAG-AFTRA’s 118-day strike came to an end last week, when the studios finally struck a deal with the guild. While the ratification vote started this week, the union has yet to release the full tentative Mba. Instead, they released a detailed summary of the contract, which includes extensive language about how the studios can and cannot use AI to replace actors or alter their performances.
While both guilds were able to secure guardrails surrounding the uses of AI in their latest contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, Bateman — who is a former member of the SAG board and negotiating committee — thinks the actors union didn’t go far enough.
SAG-AFTRA’s 118-day strike came to an end last week, when the studios finally struck a deal with the guild. While the ratification vote started this week, the union has yet to release the full tentative Mba. Instead, they released a detailed summary of the contract, which includes extensive language about how the studios can and cannot use AI to replace actors or alter their performances.
- 11/17/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
One of the hallmarks of the new SAG-AFTRA contract is what guild president Fran Drescher calls a “streaming participation bonus,” or what some studio-side folks disparagingly term a “Robin Hood fund.”
The idea — as guild leaders said time and again diring the strike, and in last week’s press conference announcing deal highlights — is to get as many actors paid as possible. That’s because the new bonus splits money between performers on the top streaming shows and a fund that’s divided between everyone else working on streaming.
SAG values the bonus pool at $120 million, or $40 million a year over the three years of the contract term. In a headline, $40 million is an impressive number but it’s also: the budget of “The Fabelmans,” less than what Dwayne Johnson could make on his upcoming Amazon holiday movie, and about the same as Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav’s 2022 pay package.
The idea — as guild leaders said time and again diring the strike, and in last week’s press conference announcing deal highlights — is to get as many actors paid as possible. That’s because the new bonus splits money between performers on the top streaming shows and a fund that’s divided between everyone else working on streaming.
SAG values the bonus pool at $120 million, or $40 million a year over the three years of the contract term. In a headline, $40 million is an impressive number but it’s also: the budget of “The Fabelmans,” less than what Dwayne Johnson could make on his upcoming Amazon holiday movie, and about the same as Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav’s 2022 pay package.
- 11/16/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Last week when SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the details around the issue of artificial intelligence were at the top of everyone’s mind. Now, the union has released specific language around how AI provisions will appear in the contract. A graphic chart breaks down how the union and the studios plan to regulate artificial intelligence for actors across the entertainment industry.
In the case of artificial intelligence, any actor can be digitally recreated. The contract...
In the case of artificial intelligence, any actor can be digitally recreated. The contract...
- 11/14/2023
- by Krystie Yandoli
- Rollingstone.com
Fran Drescher may have injected some Buddhism into SAG-AFTRA’s online meeting today on the new tentative agreement with the studios, but there was almost nothing monastic about the guild president’s opinion of critics of the November 8 deal.
“I just want you to know that nobody was thrown under the bus,” Drescher told a self-described Official Member Informational Meeting on Zoom this morning of less-than-stellar assessments of the agreement that SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP reached last week after a 118 days strike that shut Hollywood down for months.
“If you read things like that, it’s very inflammatory and unfortunate because it’s using social media and chat rooms to advance someone’s personal agenda,” the recently overwhelmingly re-elected SAG-AFTRA president add, stressing she wasn’t “going to name names” Monday.
Still, while not mentioning the likes of Justine Bateman, it was pretty clear who Drescher was referring to in the virtual meeting.
“I just want you to know that nobody was thrown under the bus,” Drescher told a self-described Official Member Informational Meeting on Zoom this morning of less-than-stellar assessments of the agreement that SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP reached last week after a 118 days strike that shut Hollywood down for months.
“If you read things like that, it’s very inflammatory and unfortunate because it’s using social media and chat rooms to advance someone’s personal agenda,” the recently overwhelmingly re-elected SAG-AFTRA president add, stressing she wasn’t “going to name names” Monday.
Still, while not mentioning the likes of Justine Bateman, it was pretty clear who Drescher was referring to in the virtual meeting.
- 11/13/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and other higher-ups at the union defended the union’s new contract with the studios, especially after some members criticized provisions dealing with the use of artificial intelligence.
As Variety reports, Drescher called out the “naysayers” during a Zoom meeting with members on Monday, Nov. 13, saying they have “exploited this momentum of ours” and “tried to tear down what was being done in the negotiating committee.”
SAG members will vote to ratify the tentative contract this week, and Drescher urged them to carefully consider the details...
As Variety reports, Drescher called out the “naysayers” during a Zoom meeting with members on Monday, Nov. 13, saying they have “exploited this momentum of ours” and “tried to tear down what was being done in the negotiating committee.”
SAG members will vote to ratify the tentative contract this week, and Drescher urged them to carefully consider the details...
- 11/13/2023
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Actor-director Justine Bateman warns of generative AI uses.
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher has hit back at critics of the new tentative three-year agreement as the union began its charm offensive this week to sell the deal to members.
The union’s membership is voting on whether to ratify the agreement with studios and streamers. Drescher and national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland are pitching the agreement to the union ahead of the December 5 deadline.
Drescher was moved to comment during a Zoom call to members on Monday after actor-filmmaker Justine Bateman took to X (formerly Twitter) to speak...
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher has hit back at critics of the new tentative three-year agreement as the union began its charm offensive this week to sell the deal to members.
The union’s membership is voting on whether to ratify the agreement with studios and streamers. Drescher and national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland are pitching the agreement to the union ahead of the December 5 deadline.
Drescher was moved to comment during a Zoom call to members on Monday after actor-filmmaker Justine Bateman took to X (formerly Twitter) to speak...
- 11/13/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Updated: SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher on Monday scolded “naysayers” and “contrarians” who have criticized the union’s new contract.
Drescher defended the agreement during a Zoom meeting for SAG-AFTRA members on Monday morning.
“Sadly there have been some naysayers who have exploited this momentum of ours,” Drescher said, appearing in a jungle-print bathrobe from her home. She said that throughout the negotiation, some people have “tried to tear down what was being done in the negotiating committee.”
The negotiating team reached a tentative deal last Wednesday that ended the union’s 118-day strike. The union’s national board approved the deal on an 86% vote on Friday, and sent it to the members for ratification.
The ratification process began Monday with the Zoom meeting to spell out the terms of the deal and take questions. More than 1,000 questions were submitted, and the union is expected to hold further meetings.
Drescher urged...
Drescher defended the agreement during a Zoom meeting for SAG-AFTRA members on Monday morning.
“Sadly there have been some naysayers who have exploited this momentum of ours,” Drescher said, appearing in a jungle-print bathrobe from her home. She said that throughout the negotiation, some people have “tried to tear down what was being done in the negotiating committee.”
The negotiating team reached a tentative deal last Wednesday that ended the union’s 118-day strike. The union’s national board approved the deal on an 86% vote on Friday, and sent it to the members for ratification.
The ratification process began Monday with the Zoom meeting to spell out the terms of the deal and take questions. More than 1,000 questions were submitted, and the union is expected to hold further meetings.
Drescher urged...
- 11/13/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
In the final days of the SAG-AFTRA contract negotiations, when pressure was closing in on the guild to end what had been a crippling, nearly six month work stoppage, union president Fran Drescher was holding onto an unusual demand, one that most guild members knew nothing about.
Drescher wanted a fund over which SAG had broad discretion to redistribute money among its members. “She wanted her Robin Hood fund,” one studio source says.
SAG’s tentative agreement with the AMPTP includes the unorthodox new streaming fund, which is designed to share the wealth among more actors — even those who aren’t working on the shows and films that generated it.
The fund’s unusual structure has raised questions for guild members and studios about fairness, legality and the principle that Hollywood is a business that rewards success.
“What if I’m in a show on Netflix and I...
Drescher wanted a fund over which SAG had broad discretion to redistribute money among its members. “She wanted her Robin Hood fund,” one studio source says.
SAG’s tentative agreement with the AMPTP includes the unorthodox new streaming fund, which is designed to share the wealth among more actors — even those who aren’t working on the shows and films that generated it.
The fund’s unusual structure has raised questions for guild members and studios about fairness, legality and the principle that Hollywood is a business that rewards success.
“What if I’m in a show on Netflix and I...
- 11/13/2023
- by Rebecca Keegan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Moody’s Investor Service is now forecasting that the total cost of the SAG-AFTRA, Writers Guild of America and Directors Guild of America contracts will be closer to the higher end of its initial estimate of $450 million to $600 million per year for three years.
“Still, absorbing that cost, spread over a large number of projects will not
pose a credit risk for the studios in isolation. Especially considering global yearly spending on TV and film entertainment is over $100 billion, with the US a big chunk of that,” Moody’s Investor Service senior vice president Neil Begley wrote in a new report Friday. “We believe studios are unlikely to change their overall production budgets to accommodate these higher costs, or reduce volume, and will instead look to save where it will not materially hurt amount of material produced or quality of storytelling. This includes using fewer A-list actors; greenlighting less on-location...
“Still, absorbing that cost, spread over a large number of projects will not
pose a credit risk for the studios in isolation. Especially considering global yearly spending on TV and film entertainment is over $100 billion, with the US a big chunk of that,” Moody’s Investor Service senior vice president Neil Begley wrote in a new report Friday. “We believe studios are unlikely to change their overall production budgets to accommodate these higher costs, or reduce volume, and will instead look to save where it will not materially hurt amount of material produced or quality of storytelling. This includes using fewer A-list actors; greenlighting less on-location...
- 11/13/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
SAG-AFTRA has publicly released its agreement with the AMPTP, which went into effect on November 9, the day the guild’s strike ended, and will run until June 30, 2026. The agreement outlines protections against artificial intelligence, new structures for residuals and more.
One of the most noteworthy parts of this new agreement is its protections on AI. Now performers whose digital replicas are used must be compensated with the “performer’s pro rata daily rate or the minimum rate, whichever is higher” and must be compensated for the number of days that a project’s producer determines the performer would have needed to work if those scenes were filmed in person. Additionally, the contract notes that the producer must make a “good faith effort” to estimate this number of days.
This expanded compensation structure in relation to AI also applies to residuals. Moving forward, performers who fall under the category of employment-based...
One of the most noteworthy parts of this new agreement is its protections on AI. Now performers whose digital replicas are used must be compensated with the “performer’s pro rata daily rate or the minimum rate, whichever is higher” and must be compensated for the number of days that a project’s producer determines the performer would have needed to work if those scenes were filmed in person. Additionally, the contract notes that the producer must make a “good faith effort” to estimate this number of days.
This expanded compensation structure in relation to AI also applies to residuals. Moving forward, performers who fall under the category of employment-based...
- 11/13/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
Less than 48 hours before SAG-AFTRA members begin voting on ratifying the new deal between the guild and the studios, the actors guild has released an extensive summary of the potential three-year contract.
Read SAG-AFTRA’s Summary of their 2023 Tentative Agreement in full below or click here to download the 18-page document.
“Nobody gets everything they want in any deal, but this is a good deal, a fair deal and both a big step in the right direction and an insurance policy for the next contract,” a guild source told Deadline of the tentative agreement that was reached with the AMPTP on November 8 after SAG-AFTRA had been out on strike for 118 days.
To that end, now that 86% of the National Board approved the deal on November 10 and expanded bullet points of the deal was dropped, SAG-AFTRA leaders like guild president Fran Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland will start meeting...
Read SAG-AFTRA’s Summary of their 2023 Tentative Agreement in full below or click here to download the 18-page document.
“Nobody gets everything they want in any deal, but this is a good deal, a fair deal and both a big step in the right direction and an insurance policy for the next contract,” a guild source told Deadline of the tentative agreement that was reached with the AMPTP on November 8 after SAG-AFTRA had been out on strike for 118 days.
To that end, now that 86% of the National Board approved the deal on November 10 and expanded bullet points of the deal was dropped, SAG-AFTRA leaders like guild president Fran Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland will start meeting...
- 11/13/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Following a vote Friday by the majority of SAG-AFTRA’s National Board to approve a tentative agreement reached with studio CEOs and the AMPTP earlier this week, the actors guild has released more details of the deal.
As they have repeatedly said over the past two days since reaching a deal with the studios to end the 118-day strike, the guild stated today that “the total package” is “valued at more than one billion dollars in new wages and benefit plan funding.” More compensation information from the deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers came several hours after the SAG-AFTRA National Board voted 86% to approve it.
An 80-page summery of the full agreement, which has not been made public, will go to eligible members of the guild November 13, I hear. Ratification voting on the agreement starts November 14 and runs until the first week of December for the...
As they have repeatedly said over the past two days since reaching a deal with the studios to end the 118-day strike, the guild stated today that “the total package” is “valued at more than one billion dollars in new wages and benefit plan funding.” More compensation information from the deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers came several hours after the SAG-AFTRA National Board voted 86% to approve it.
An 80-page summery of the full agreement, which has not been made public, will go to eligible members of the guild November 13, I hear. Ratification voting on the agreement starts November 14 and runs until the first week of December for the...
- 11/11/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
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