The Screen Actors Guild called off its 118-day strike from midnight on Thursday after finally reaching an agreement with the likes of Disney and Netflix for a new contract including higher pay and protections against the use of AI.
Hollywood actors and studios reached a tentative deal on Wednesday, November 8, to end a months-long strike that has crippled the entertainment industry, delayed hundreds of popular shows and films, and cost billions to the US economy.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) called off its 118-day strike from midnight after finally reaching an agreement with the likes of Disney and Netflix for a new contract including higher pay and protections against the use of artificial intelligence.
The announcement paves the way for actors to head back to movie sets, an end to picket lines outside studios and a return to employment for thousands of other jobs linked to the entertainment industry. “In a unanimous vote this afternoon, the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Committee approved a tentative agreement (…) bringing an end to the 118-day strike,” a spokeswoman said in a statement.
In a message sent to union members, negotiators said the contract was valued at more than $1 billion and would enable members “to build sustainable careers.”
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios, said it was “pleased” to have reached a deal, and trumpeted a “brand new residual for streaming programs,” without offering details. Residuals are long-term payments for shows after their initial release. The deal still needs to be ratified. That process could take weeks, but the agreement is widely expected to pass.
Joy and relief
Talks between the two sides had taken place almost daily for the past two weeks, with CEOs of studios including Disney, Netflix, Warner and Universal often attending personally, as the clamor for a deal grew. Given the duration of the strike, studios already face gaping holes in their release schedules for next year and beyond, while many actors have been forced to find second jobs or quit the business.
The news spread instantly across Hollywood, with celebrities expressing joy and relief. “Incredible! I’m so happy we were all able to come to an agreement. Let’s get back to work! Let’s go! I’m so stoked,” Zac Efron told reporters at a premiere of The Iron Claw. “Perseverance pays off!” wrote Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis on Instagram.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass welcomed the “fair agreement” that had been reached, noting that the strikes had “impacted millions in Los Angeles and throughout the country.” “Now, we must lean in on local production to ensure that our entertainment industry rebounds stronger than ever and our economy is able to get back on its feet,” she said in a statement.
When SAG-AFTRA walked out in mid-July, Hollywood writers were also on strike, but they have since resolved their contract dispute.
AI, a major sticking point
In resolving the standoff between actors and studios on Wednesday, both sides compromised on minimum pay, settling on an increase from the previous contract of around 8%. That is less than actors originally wanted but higher than writers obtained, and the biggest increase in decades. An improved bonus structure for starring in hit shows or films was also eventually agreed.
The growth of streaming platforms, which typically pay minimal “residuals” when a hit show gets rewatched, has severely eroded actors’ incomes. AI proved a major sticking point in the final stretch of negotiations, with talks often struggling to keep pace with the rapid advances in the technology.
Actors fear AI could be used to clone their voices and likenesses, and wanted stricter rules about the compensation and consent studios would need to obtain than the companies were willing to give. Details of the deal will be published following a SAG-AFTRA board meeting to review the terms on Friday, the union said.
Source:lemonde