Written by Nick Gambino
The year has proven to be a momentous one for Hollywood in securing fair wages. Following the Writers Guild of America’s (WGA) triumphant negotiation of a fair contract after a 148-day strike (ranking as the second longest in their history), the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has now clinched their own equitable deal after 118 days.
In a triumphant statement, SAG-AFTRA declared, “We did it. Our historic TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike concluded at 12:01 a.m. PT this morning. After 118 days on strike, we are poised to reshape the future of our industry with a transformative contract benefiting every category of SAG-AFTRA member working under this agreement.”
It’s worth noting that there are various SAG-AFTRA contracts, such as those for commercial acting, but this particular strike focused specifically on the realms of movies and TV.
While the specifics of the new contract are yet to be unveiled, some details have been shared, revealing over one billion dollars in “new wages and benefit plan funding.”
Taking a cue from the Writers Guild’s success with a residuals system, SAG-AFTRA has secured a participation bonus for streaming. The dissatisfaction over the lack of proper compensation for creators in the booming streaming industry was a major catalyst for these strikes. By ensuring that those responsible for creating content share in the profits or receive compensation aligned with the popularity of streaming platforms, these contracts now better align with the realities of modern entertainment consumption.
In a move reminiscent of the Writers Guild’s minimum basic agreement, the SAG-AFTRA deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) incorporates protective measures against the potential threat of artificial intelligence (AI). The studios had sought to scan actors for a one-time fee and then utilize their likeness indefinitely. Although the details of the AI-related provisions in the deal are yet unknown, it is speculated that studios will now be required to pay each time they deploy AI representations of actors.
With actors and writers finally securing agreements with the AMPTP that acknowledge the value of their creative contributions, there is renewed hope for the everyday working creator to once again earn a living wage in the Hollywood arts.
