Hollywood Actors Union Approves Deal Ending Months-Long Strike With Studios

The board members of Hollywood's iconic actors' union, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), have voted to approve the groundbreaking deal with studios, effectively ending their nearly four-month-long strike. The approval came with overwhelming support, as 86% of the board members voted in favour of the tentative agreement.

The deal, which was announced by Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA's executive director and chief negotiator, signifies a significant victory for the union. It paves the way for a three-year contract agreement that will now be subject to a vote by the union's members. This vote is scheduled to commence on Tuesday and extend through December, allowing members to express their views on the terms and conditions after their months spent on picket lines.

Crabtree-Ireland emphasized that the deal would play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of the motion picture industry as a profession for working-class performers. The union's president, Fran Drescher, pointed out the studios' initial reluctance to initiate talks, questioning whether they were attempting to "smoke out" the actors, humorously adding, "Well honey, I quit smoking a long time ago."

While the board's decision to approve the agreement was largely expected, it marked a significant step towards restoring normalcy in Hollywood after months of tension and uncertainty. The strike, which involved high-profile actors like Billy Porter, Jennifer Beals, Sean Astin, and Sharon Stone, disrupted the entertainment industry earlier this year. The agreement, negotiated by a committee that included many of the same board members, was met with an air of satisfaction, as union leaders immediately declared an end to the strike once the tentative deal was reached with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

Actors, who have eagerly awaited the resolution of the strike, can now begin working again without having to wait for the formal ratification of the agreement. According to Crabtree-Ireland, some actors have already returned to their sets.

Among the last sticking points in the agreement were contract provisions related to the control of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry. Fran Drescher referred to AI as a "dealbreaker" and emphasized the importance of securing protections for union members.

One key provision requires that productions obtain the informed consent of actors whose digital replicas are used. This means that a detailed description of how an actor's image will be used must be provided, and vague, generic statements will no longer suffice. This also includes obtaining consent from background actors used in crowd scenes and similar simulations.

When AI is used in a project an actor is already working on, they will be compensated as if they had performed the actions carried out by their digital likeness. Companies will need to negotiate new permissions if they wish to use an actor's likeness in a different project.

"The caveat to the consent is that it's only for the one job," Drescher explained. "They have to come back if they want to use it for something else."

In the case of licensed images used in shows where an actor, living or deceased, is not actively performing, the license holders will have the right to negotiate a rate for the use of their likeness.

One crucial provision, achieved on the final day of negotiations, pertains to generative AI. When AI is used to create a synthetic character from the images of various performers, consent must be obtained from every individual involved, and the union must be able to negotiate pay for each.

The agreement also establishes a new fund to compensate performers for future viewings of their work on streaming services, in addition to traditional residuals for movies or series. This aspect of the deal had led to a significant deadlock in negotiations before studios returned to the table.

The financial aspect of the agreement includes a 7% general wage increase, effective immediately, with an additional 4% and 3.5% increases scheduled for July and a year later. Background actors will also enjoy an 11% increase immediately, followed by similar 4% and 3.5% increases in the coming years.

The deal ensures that actors who must relocate to participate in TV series will receive more substantial financial support. Additionally, the agreement mandates the hiring of intimacy coordinators for scenes involving nudity or simulated sex, further enhancing safety and professionalism on set.

Dancers who are required to sing or singers who are asked to dance will be fully compensated for both skills, eliminating the practice of productions benefiting from performers' multiple talents without proper compensation.

The agreement also addresses diversity and inclusion by requiring sets to have hair and makeup artists capable of serving the specific ethnicities and appearances of the performers.

Furthermore, it includes provisions to enhance protections and funding for the self-taping of auditions, providing actors with a more secure and supportive environment to showcase their talents.

As Hollywood actors prepare to cast their votes on the agreement, the industry looks forward to a return to business as usual after a strike that shook the entertainment world. With the deal's approval, actors can resume their craft with newfound protections and benefits.

*Inputs from AP*