The Hollywood spotlights will finally come back on: the studios and the American actors’ union SAG-AFTRA have finally reached an agreement and the strike is coming to an end.
The standoff between cinema professionals and Hollywood has been going on for several months. The climate was truly moribund: in May, screenwriters’ voices were raised against the rise of AI and streaming; protests which were then followed by an actors’ strike to denounce low salaries. The negotiations were long and tough, but finally resulted in an agreement with the writers at the end of September. After 118 days of silence, SAG-AFTRA has just announced the actors’ return to the stage thanks to the establishment of an agreement with AMPTP (the main organization representing the interests of television and film production companies to USA).
A major agreement
The truce in question is not just a simple resumption of work by professional actors. In reality, it must be seen as a historic breakthrough for actors on the small and big screen. SAG-AFTRA successfully negotiated a contract valued at more than a billion dollars, which will allow for salary increases “ above standards “.
This envelope, welcomed with open arms by the union and all the stakeholders, and backed by other guarantees. Among the most important, “ protections against the threat of AI » as well as the establishment of a “ streaming participation bonus “. This is a first, and we hope for them, not the last. The Pension & Health (union pension fund) ceilings for SAG-AFTRA members have also been increased. Excellent news in a country where health insurance is expensive and the pension system is a widely debated subject.
What are the repercussions on production?
Obviously, the filming of major productions will return to normal. However, with 150 days of strike action by actors and screenwriters, delays in the release of some highly anticipated films can be expected. In the list of works concerned, we can cite: Dune: Part Two, Snow White, Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse, Deadpool 3 And Beetlejuice2. Filming will therefore be able to resume, but no official announcement has been made of the real impact that will have to be expected on release deadlines.
The end of this strike is excellent news for moviegoers. It is even more so for professionals in the field, who are now protected by a real framework. They can finally reassure themselves about the contours of their professions: being an actor or a screenwriter in the digital and AI era is no longer a vague notion. The transformation is not complete, and final agreements await approval from the SAG-AFTRA National Council.
Source : The Verge
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