On Sunday (October 29th, 2023), sources reported an air of optimism surrounding the ongoing negotiations between SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers). The two parties have been in talks, striving to reach a resolution that could end the lengthy strike which has spanned 108 days.
Both guild and studio sources hint that a deal might be on the horizon, with significant progress being made in the area of success-based compensation for streaming shows and their cast. However, both parties emphasize that the situation remains dynamic and several aspects still need addressing.
Key representatives, including SAG-AFTRA Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and AMPTP President Carol Lombardini, engaged in multiple virtual discussions throughout the day. Major studio CEOs, such as Bob Iger of Disney and Ted Sarandos of Netflix, were absent from these virtual meet-ups.
A significant shift over the weekend was the studios’ changing perspective. Initially unimpressed with SAG-AFTRA’s proposal, there seemed to be a mutual understanding and evident common ground as discussions progressed.
While there’s optimism, challenges remain. A primary concern is establishing fair streaming revenue residuals for the union’s vast 160,000 member-base. Also, securing performers’ likeness rights in the era of AI and settling on streaming revenue payouts for actors are crucial points of contention.
Recent negotiations saw studios proposing a 7% increase in minimum rates, with SAG-AFTRA countering with a 9% rise, down from their initial 11%. These discussions followed the studios’ earlier suggestion of a “success-based metric” in response to SAG-AFTRA’s proposal for a 57 cents per subscriber annual fee, which met resistance.
The ongoing strike has significant implications for the entertainment industry. Big-budget movies, including “Mission Impossible 8” and Disney’s “Snow White,” have been postponed, causing concern for global film and TV production. The uncertainty surrounding the release of anticipated films, such as “Deadpool 3,” adds to these challenges.
In a show of solidarity, prominent actors, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jon Hamm, have expressed their commitment to continue picketing until a fair deal is achieved. This contrasts with other actors, like George Clooney and Emma Stone, who proposed a financial solution aimed at benefiting those at the lower end of the scale. However, this offer was deemed incompatible with the union’s contract.
In conclusion, while there are hopeful signs in the negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the studios, several hurdles remain before an agreement can be solidified.
