SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers just wrapped up their second day of renewed talks for a new three-year contract. They plan to meet again on Friday and continue negotiations over the weekend, with formal talks resuming on October 9. The actors’ strike is reaching its 85th day tomorrow, and both parties are working towards ending it.
Despite a late start today, SAG-AFTRA leadership sat down with studio CEOs and AMPTP boss Carol Lombardini to move forward on resolving the strike. Industry insiders report that the negotiations are going well and everyone is conducting themselves calmly.
The parties intend to meet again at SAG-AFTRA headquarters on Friday, with the CEO Gang of Four expected to be in attendance. After this meeting, the respective principals will deliberate over the weekend, and formal talks will resume on October 9. This is the same day the Writers Guild of America (WGA) will vote on ratifying their tentative agreement with the studios, which is expected to pass by an overwhelming majority.
While there are still several issues being negotiated, revenue sharing remains a tricky challenge. SAG-AFTRA proposes that the casts of successful streaming shows receive 2% of profits, but the AMPTP has consistently rejected this proposal due to differences over analytics and the overall business model of streaming.
The CEO Gang of Four, along with Carol Lombardini, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, and Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez, were present at today’s negotiations at SAG-AFTRA’s Wilshire headquarters.
As negotiations continue, SAG-AFTRA members remain on the picket lines. The union posted a message from Crabtree-Ireland, the TV/theatrical negotiating committee, strike captains, and lot coordinators at the Warner Bros pickets in Burbank, celebrating the return to talks and emphasizing solidarity.
Crabtree-Ireland will also be participating in a panel at New York Comic Con on October 14, discussing AI in entertainment and how existing legal structures can be used to protect performers’ rights. He will address SAG-AFTRA’s approach to the issue and the laws surrounding technology in relation to the strike and recent strike authorization vote on the Interactive Media Agreement.
In a hearing before the Federal Trade Commission on AI, Crabtree-Ireland criticized tech companies for their “double standard” when it comes to intellectual property. He pointed out that these companies freely use intellectual property for AI algorithm training but would object if the same were done to them and their content.
After his remarks to the FTC, Crabtree-Ireland returned to the in-person talks in LA.
