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Listen: Talks Suspended
Studios Declare SAG-AFTRA Talks Suspended Due to Wide Gap Between Parties
Negotiations between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and SAG-AFTRA have been put on hold as the gap between the two parties is too significant.
After presenting its latest proposal on October 11, SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP engaged in meaningful conversations but failed to make productive progress.
The AMPTP highlighted the union’s proposal for casts to receive a share of streaming platform revenue as economically burdensome.
While the unresolved issues were not explicitly stated, AI regulations and minimum wage rates are among them.
The suspension of negotiations comes after the fifth day of talks since SAG-AFTRA initiated the strike on July 14. Despite the presence of high-profile studio heads, including Netflix’s Ted Sarandos and Disney’s Bob Iger, the major point of contention remained the union’s streaming revenue proposal.
In their communication, the AMPTP outlined their latest offer to SAG-AFTRA. This included success-based residuals for high-budget streaming titles, increased pension and health contribution caps, and the incorporation of performance capture work in the union’s TV/theatrical agreement.
The AMPTP also offered the same minimum rate increases provided to the Directors Guild of America and Writers Guild of America. Additionally, they proposed a 76% increase in high-budget streaming service foreign residuals.
Regarding AI regulations, the AMPTP suggested obtaining consent from performers and background actors to create and use “digital replicas.” Any digital alterations impacting an actor’s performance would require consent, and digital replicas could not be reused without consent and compensation.
The unexpected suspension of talks delivers a significant blow to industry workers who anticipated a swift resolution after the WGA strike and the involvement of top company executives.
NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley, who participated in negotiations, expressed dedication to resolving regardless of the time required. Unfortunately, the timeline for a resolution has now become uncertain.