‘These companies refuse to protect artists’: Talks between actors and studios deadlocked, strike continues

The actors’ strike, which began on July 14, and is represented by SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – Federation of Television and Radio Artists of America, Union of Professional Actors of America) is still ongoing. However, there was hope for an outcome following the end of the screenwriters’ strike represented by the WGA (Writers Guild of America, the union of American screenwriters that protects their copyrights) after a 5-month strike.

• Reminder: Historic double strike in Hollywood: actors join screenwriters, production of films and series is at risk

While the screenwriters have approved and ratified a new three-year agreement, including better working conditions and a significant wage increase, with the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers), the situation is more delicate for actors, actresses and recording artists.

The strike won’t be over for actors… just yet

While negotiations resumed between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP, Deadline We’re told the studios have broken off discussions with the actors’ union, accusing them of not agreeing to the same terms and conditions given to screenwriters.

“After significant conversations, it is clear that the gap between AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA is too wide and the conversation is not moving in a productive direction.“The group, led by AMPTP leader Carole Lombardini, said in a statement. It seems that negotiations are more difficult than usual.

A recent settlement proposal made by SAG-AFTRA was not accepted by AMPTP. The reason for the disagreement? Residual revenue growth on successful platform content requested by players.

In addition to renegotiating rights, working conditions and wages, SAG-AFTRA has placed two key issues for the future of the film and TV series industries at the center of negotiations with AMPTP: streaming and artificial intelligence. The Screen Actors Guild is actually asking for revenue sharing from streaming works based on success across platforms.

AMPTP estimates that the profit sharing requirement, which should represent approximately 2% of potential profits, will be “Necessary economic burden”, which he valued at more than $2.4 billion over the next three years of the new contract. SAG-AFTRA, for its part, estimated that their request would cost studios less than 57 cents per subscriber per year.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers also refused to give SAG-AFTRA member pay raises to keep pace with inflation and, more importantly, refused to protect performers from being replaced by intelligent artificial or digital replicas of their franchises.

If AMPTP is hoping to get SAG-AFTRA back to the negotiating table, the Screen Actors Guild isn’t about to let that happen, sending out a combative message on social media:

“To our fellow SAG-AFTRA members, we are deeply disappointed to learn that industry executives have walked away from the negotiating table after refusing to consider our latest offer. We have negotiated with them in good faith despite their shocking offer that was last presented. The week that It cost less than what was offered before the strike.

These companies refuse to protect artists from being replaced by artificial intelligence, they refuse to raise your wages to keep up with inflation, and they refuse to share a fraction of the huge profits your work generates for them. These companies are using the same failed strategy they tried to target the WGA: spreading misleading information to manipulate our members into rejecting our solidarity and putting pressure on our negotiators.”

Will SAG-AFTRA win its case? Or will it resist and have to continue the strike, even if it lasts for months until 2024? If screenwriters are able to return to work and write scripts for future movies and series in Hollywood, most filming cannot resume without performers and advertising campaigns are also in jeopardy. “We are united and ready for negotiations today, tomorrow and every day”Says SAG-AFTRA, which won’t give up.