There are now less than 48 hours until the contract between the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) expires at 11:59 PM, Wednesday night.
Yesterday, members of SAG-AFTRA held a meeting with Hollywood publicity firms to discuss the potential strike and its implications for their clients who are members of the Actors Guild. During the meeting, key elements of SAG-AFTRA’s strike rules were reportedly discussed.
According to TheWrap, if a strike is called, SAG-AFTRA members would be required to disengage from all film and television productions worldwide. Additionally, they would not be allowed to participate in any form of promotional work, including press junkets, film premieres, and fan events like San Diego Comic-Con.
While actors would be allowed to attend the pop culture event, they would be expected to refrain from participating in panels that promote specific films or television shows or discuss their current or future work. However, sources suggest that SAG-AFTRA would prefer its members to skip the event entirely.
Prior to the strike deadline, Hollywood studios have already conducted press junkets for films slated for release in July and August, such as Warner Bros.’ Barbie and Sony Pictures’ Gran Turismo. SAG-AFTRA is requesting publicists to include a disclaimer on pre-deadline junkets stating that they were recorded beforehand. The union plans to reach out to those who potentially breach these rules.
Exceptions may be granted to independent productions and short films that agree to interim terms with SAG-AFTRA. However, these productions must be genuinely independent, meaning they are not associated with a studio or streaming platform that is a member of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) as producers or distributors.
REELated:
Nevertheless, sources familiar with the negotiations indicate that there are still major unresolved issues, including concerns about streaming residuals. Prior to the negotiations, SAG-AFTRA members advocated for a new residual system based on viewership data, which streaming platforms have thus far kept confidential from creators.
While the Directors Guild of America (DGA) recently negotiated a substantial increase in residuals in their ratified contract, viewership was not factored into the new compensation structure. Both SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which is currently on strike, have stated that they will not be bound by the terms agreed upon by the DGA in their own negotiations.
Both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA have stated that they are not bound by the terms agreed upon by the DGA.
If a strike were to occur, it would be the first time since 1960 that two Hollywood guilds are on strike simultaneously. It would lead to the shutdown of remaining productions and impact marketing events, film premieres, and awards ceremonies, such as the Emmys.
