Actors Union SAG-AFTRA Ends Strike with Hollywood Studios
The U.S. actors’ union SAG-AFTRA has ended its months-long strike after reaching a “tentative deal” with Hollywood studios that includes provisions to protect actors from the “threat of AI.” The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced the end of the strike in a Twitter thread, announcing that the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee had voted unanimously to approve a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the trade association representing the Hollywood studios. According to SAG-AFTRA, the contract is valued at over one billion dollars and includes minimum compensation increases and provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from AI threats.
Actors vs AI
While exact details of the agreement won’t be revealed until it has been reviewed by the SAG-AFTRA National Board, reports earlier this week indicated that the studios had offered concessions around AI regulation following a “last, best, and final offer” to the actors’ guild on Saturday. Hollywood trade paper Variety reported that the two sides had resolved “some of the pending issues on AI,” which had become a sticking point in the negotiations.
The Hollywood Reporter indicated that a particular AI clause in the AMPTP’s offer had raised concerns for SAG-AFTRA. It sought to allow studios to pay for AI scans of high-earning performers, who earn more than the minimum rate for series regulars and feature films. The clause would have allowed studios to use those scans after an actor’s death without their estate or union consent. SAG-AFTRA aimed to secure compensation for the reuse of scans as well as consent.
Hot Take: Conclusion
With this strike resolved, production could resume as soon as 2024, following months of disruption to film and television production that’s seen the 2024 release calendar thrown into disarray.
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