The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have extended their contract talks until midnight on July 12.
This extension delays the expiration of their current deal, which was originally scheduled to end at 11:59 p.m. on a Friday.
While the extension does not guarantee that the two groups will reach a new contract agreement, similar extensions have occurred in the past during contract negotiations between AMPTP and the Actors Guild in 2014 and 2017, leading to successful deals.
Both SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP have refrained from commenting on the ongoing negotiations due to customary media blackouts during labor negotiations in Hollywood.
Before the start of negotiations, a significant majority of SAG-AFTRA members voted to authorize guild leaders to call a strike if an acceptable deal could not be reached. Key issues being addressed in the negotiations include stricter regulations on self-taped auditions, rules regarding consent and compensation for the use of performers’ work and likeness through “AI” technology, and increased residuals for streaming films and TV shows.
In a video message to members, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland expressed optimism about the progress of the negotiations, stating that they are focused on addressing the crucial issues highlighted by the members.
However, shortly after the video message, over 1,000 SAG-AFTRA members, including prominent actors such as Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence, signed an internal letter urging the guild’s negotiating committee not to settle for a deal that falls short of transformative change. The letter emphasized the importance of protecting wages, creative freedom, and the power of the union.
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If SAG-AFTRA were to go on strike, it would mark the first time since 1960 that Hollywood has been hit by two guild strikes simultaneously. The potential strike could halt major film productions shooting outside the U.S., including Paramount’s Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part Two, which is currently in production.
The possibility of an actors’ strike has already had ripple effects, with several studios, including Marvel Studios, Netflix, and Universal, deciding to skip the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con. Furthermore, the Emmys telecast could be postponed if a strike occurs, as nominated actors would not participate in the ceremony or any associated awards campaigns. Preparations for the 75th Emmys ceremony, scheduled for September 18, are set to begin on July 15, just three days after the new SAG-AFTRA deadline.
Some SAG-AFTRA members are willing to strike to address what they perceive as unsustainable trends in Hollywood, including the challenges of qualifying for SAG-AFTRA’s health plan, which requires earning approximately $26,000 per year. Similar to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) members, who have been joined by thousands of SAG-AFTRA members on their picket lines, there is a sense that this round of contracts represents labor’s best opportunity to safeguard the well-being of Hollywood workers who may struggle to make ends meet.
