The contract between the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and major television and film studios was set to expire at midnight on June 30, but an extension has been agreed upon. The negotiations will continue with a new deadline of July 12. The letter from SAG to its members emphasized the union’s strength and commitment to their cause.
Streaming residuals and the use of AI are key issues in this negotiation, mirroring the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America. The writers have been on strike since May, unable to reach an agreement with major studios. The fall slate of programming and countless productions are at risk of cancellation or delay.
Prior to the extension, an overwhelming majority of SAG members voted to strike if an agreement was not reached by the contract expiration. SAG released a video on June 24, assuring its members that negotiations were productive and focused on their concerns. A letter supposedly signed by more than 300 Hollywood actors, including Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence, was also circulated expressing support for the strike. However, it has not been confirmed if all the names are genuine.
Issues of concern for the actors include the affordability of living in the cities where their work is taking place and the uncertainty of their income. The use of AI actors and AI-generated scripts has also become a topic of discussion. Deepfake actors and digital recreations of celebrities have already been utilized in various productions. The guild aims to protect actors’ likeness and ensure fair compensation for the use of their work in training AI systems.
Writers have similar concerns about AI-generated content. They want guarantees that AI cannot be used to create or adapt their work, and that AI-generated text cannot be considered in determining writing credits. The writers argue that their current contracts do not reflect the growth of the streaming industry and result in inadequate payments for their work.
The distribution landscape has changed significantly due to the pandemic, with theatrical releases being followed by immediate availability on streaming platforms. Residuals, which are payments made to those who worked on a film or show, have not kept up with the growth of the streaming business. Both actors and writers argue that they are not adequately compensated for their work on streaming platforms.
Streaming platforms have also been removing content, either licensed or owned by themselves, to lower residual costs. Cancelled or underperforming series are being taken down to protect the bottom line. This further exacerbates the concerns of the writers who are already on strike.
As negotiations continue between SAG-AFTRA and the studios, the future of the entertainment industry hangs in the balance. The resolution of the contract terms will determine the fate of upcoming productions and the livelihoods of thousands of actors and writers.
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