SAG-AFTRA members have voted overwhelmingly to approve a new TV animation contract, the guild announced Friday.
The new animation voice acting agreement was ratified by 95.52%, the guild said; total voter turnout was not revealed.
The new contract includes a 7% raise, backdated to July 1, 2023, as well as protections against so-called “artificial intelligence” software, according to the guild.
According to a summary published Friday by SAG-AFTRA, the AI provisions define the term “voice acting” as only pertaining to human beings. While the deal doesn’t forbid the use of AI to replicate human voices, the recognizability requirement that applies to performers’ rights has been adjusted to account for the fact voice actors often use voices unlike their own, the guild said.
Among those adjustments, the digital replica must “be readily identifiable and attributable to the voice actor through contracts or other regular business records, and it doesn’t have to sound like...
The new animation voice acting agreement was ratified by 95.52%, the guild said; total voter turnout was not revealed.
The new contract includes a 7% raise, backdated to July 1, 2023, as well as protections against so-called “artificial intelligence” software, according to the guild.
According to a summary published Friday by SAG-AFTRA, the AI provisions define the term “voice acting” as only pertaining to human beings. While the deal doesn’t forbid the use of AI to replicate human voices, the recognizability requirement that applies to performers’ rights has been adjusted to account for the fact voice actors often use voices unlike their own, the guild said.
Among those adjustments, the digital replica must “be readily identifiable and attributable to the voice actor through contracts or other regular business records, and it doesn’t have to sound like...
- 3/23/2024
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Exclusive: “We know that generations from now they’ll be talking about this seminal contract and reaping the benefits of it in the way that we have been for the last 65 years with a contract that was negotiated when Ronald Reagan was in my position,” says SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher of the new contract the actors guild made with the studios on Wednesday after 118 days on strike.
Worth more than $1 billion over the next three years, the tentative agreement has an “extraordinary scope” and is full of “unprecedented provisions,” according to SAG-AFTRA. While the fine print won’t be made public until the 160,000-strong guild’s board votes on it Friday, we know the new deal includes increases in minimum rates, a streaming participation bonus, new health and pension caps, diversity guardrails, and hard fought for AI protection provisions.
The recently overwhelmingly reelected Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland were...
Worth more than $1 billion over the next three years, the tentative agreement has an “extraordinary scope” and is full of “unprecedented provisions,” according to SAG-AFTRA. While the fine print won’t be made public until the 160,000-strong guild’s board votes on it Friday, we know the new deal includes increases in minimum rates, a streaming participation bonus, new health and pension caps, diversity guardrails, and hard fought for AI protection provisions.
The recently overwhelmingly reelected Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland were...
- 11/9/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Update, 7:44 Pm: Talks between the studios and SAG-AFTRA didn’t go so well today, but the Guild has now confirmed the two sides will be back at it tomorrow for another attempt to end the 100-plus day strike.
“Today, the CEOs came back to the table,” SAG-AFTRA told members in an email after negotiations had wrapped for the day. “We are scheduled to continue talks with them tomorrow,” the missive continued, as Deadline had reported earlier.
Perhaps that’s why the Guild’s TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee went on to add: “We will continue to provide updates with you directly. Remember – don’t believe anything you read in the press unless it comes directly from us. Keep showing up on the picket lines and make your voices heard around the country.
Previously, 6:25 Pm: Exclusive: The first day of the latest round of renewed talks between the studios and SAG-AFTRA has ended,...
“Today, the CEOs came back to the table,” SAG-AFTRA told members in an email after negotiations had wrapped for the day. “We are scheduled to continue talks with them tomorrow,” the missive continued, as Deadline had reported earlier.
Perhaps that’s why the Guild’s TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee went on to add: “We will continue to provide updates with you directly. Remember – don’t believe anything you read in the press unless it comes directly from us. Keep showing up on the picket lines and make your voices heard around the country.
Previously, 6:25 Pm: Exclusive: The first day of the latest round of renewed talks between the studios and SAG-AFTRA has ended,...
- 10/25/2023
- by Dominic Patten and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
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After a slow but steady restart of talks on a new contract, negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) are expected to “ramp up” and explore deeper issues and sticking points in the bargaining agreement, three insiders with knowledge of the studio side of negotiations told TheWrap.
According to the insiders, the first two days of resumed negotiations this past Monday and Wednesday were largely focused on the CEOs who led negotiations with the Writers Guild of America — Disney’s Bob Iger, Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav, NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley, and Netflix’s Ted Sarandos — getting up to speed with the leaders of the actors guild’s negotiating committee.
While the CEOs had been briefed by their labor teams and AMPTP president Carol Lombardini,...
After a slow but steady restart of talks on a new contract, negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) are expected to “ramp up” and explore deeper issues and sticking points in the bargaining agreement, three insiders with knowledge of the studio side of negotiations told TheWrap.
According to the insiders, the first two days of resumed negotiations this past Monday and Wednesday were largely focused on the CEOs who led negotiations with the Writers Guild of America — Disney’s Bob Iger, Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav, NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley, and Netflix’s Ted Sarandos — getting up to speed with the leaders of the actors guild’s negotiating committee.
While the CEOs had been briefed by their labor teams and AMPTP president Carol Lombardini,...
- 10/6/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on just wrapped their second day of renewed talks over a new three-year contract with a plan to meet again on Friday and even further down the line.
“SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP met for a full day bargaining session and have concluded,” the parties said in a joint statement tonight. “Negotiations will continue Friday, October 6, with the parties working internally over the weekend, resuming Monday, October 9.”
As they did Monday, SAG-AFTRA leadership sat down with studio CEOs and AMPTP boss Carol Lombardini Wednesday to move forward on ending the actors’ strike, which will reach its 85th day tomorrow. Talks got off to a late start today, one source informs us.
“This is senior people sitting down together and the deliberations are going well,” said an industry insider of Wednesday’s negotiations. “Everyone is conducting themselves calmly.”
As made clear in their statement just now,...
“SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP met for a full day bargaining session and have concluded,” the parties said in a joint statement tonight. “Negotiations will continue Friday, October 6, with the parties working internally over the weekend, resuming Monday, October 9.”
As they did Monday, SAG-AFTRA leadership sat down with studio CEOs and AMPTP boss Carol Lombardini Wednesday to move forward on ending the actors’ strike, which will reach its 85th day tomorrow. Talks got off to a late start today, one source informs us.
“This is senior people sitting down together and the deliberations are going well,” said an industry insider of Wednesday’s negotiations. “Everyone is conducting themselves calmly.”
As made clear in their statement just now,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Dominic Patten and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
One down, and more to come.
That’s the word from SAG-AFTRA and studio Ceos after meeting officially Monday for the first time since the 160,000-strong guild went out of strike on July 14 – they plan to do it again.
“SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP met for a full day bargaining session and have concluded. Negotiations will resume Wednesday, October 4,” the two sides said this evening in a joint statement, reminiscent of the communication sent out from the WGA and the studios in their successful final round of negotiations last month.
Like today, the Wednesday meeting is being held at SAG-AFTRA’s Wilshire HQ and the CEO Gang of Four — NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley, Warner Bros Discovery’s David Zaslav, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos and Disney’s Bob Iger — are expected to be in attendance with Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers president Carol Lombardini. Hosts SAG-AFTRA is represented by a...
That’s the word from SAG-AFTRA and studio Ceos after meeting officially Monday for the first time since the 160,000-strong guild went out of strike on July 14 – they plan to do it again.
“SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP met for a full day bargaining session and have concluded. Negotiations will resume Wednesday, October 4,” the two sides said this evening in a joint statement, reminiscent of the communication sent out from the WGA and the studios in their successful final round of negotiations last month.
Like today, the Wednesday meeting is being held at SAG-AFTRA’s Wilshire HQ and the CEO Gang of Four — NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley, Warner Bros Discovery’s David Zaslav, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos and Disney’s Bob Iger — are expected to be in attendance with Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers president Carol Lombardini. Hosts SAG-AFTRA is represented by a...
- 10/3/2023
- by Dominic Patten and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA is set to sit down with the studios today to restart talks on a deal for the actors.
The WGA has offered its support to its on-screen brethren.
The guild has called on the studios to negotiate a “fair” deal that actor members “need and deserve”.
The WGA also noted that such a deal shouldn’t be “patterned” on its own deal, but rather focused on the actors’ own needs.
“The WGA West and East call upon the AMPTP and its member companies to negotiate the fair deal that members of SAG-AFTRA need and deserve. SAG-AFTRA has been on strike for more than 70 days as it fights for a contract that allows performers to share in the value of the work they help create. Rather than engage in the traditional AMPTP tactic of pushing a deal on SAG-AFTRA that is patterned on our own tentative agreement or any other industry deal,...
The WGA has offered its support to its on-screen brethren.
The guild has called on the studios to negotiate a “fair” deal that actor members “need and deserve”.
The WGA also noted that such a deal shouldn’t be “patterned” on its own deal, but rather focused on the actors’ own needs.
“The WGA West and East call upon the AMPTP and its member companies to negotiate the fair deal that members of SAG-AFTRA need and deserve. SAG-AFTRA has been on strike for more than 70 days as it fights for a contract that allows performers to share in the value of the work they help create. Rather than engage in the traditional AMPTP tactic of pushing a deal on SAG-AFTRA that is patterned on our own tentative agreement or any other industry deal,...
- 10/2/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Back at the bargaining table Monday for the first time in more than two and a half months, SAG-AFTRA and the Hollywood studios and streamers have a long way to go to make a deal – even with the momentum gained by the end of the writers’ strike.
“No one is going into this overly confident or assuming it’s going to be easier because the writers have made their deal,” a well-positioned guild member told Deadline of the renewed talks, which we exclusively revealed last week.
“Let’s be cautious, there is some serious ‘wait and see’ here,” the SAG-AFTRA member added. “Wait and see what they bring new to the table, what they are willing to reconsider. Wait and see if they have really changed their tune or if this is the old AMPTP back in the room.”
Following the expiration of their contract June 30 and a nearly two-week extension in negotiations,...
“No one is going into this overly confident or assuming it’s going to be easier because the writers have made their deal,” a well-positioned guild member told Deadline of the renewed talks, which we exclusively revealed last week.
“Let’s be cautious, there is some serious ‘wait and see’ here,” the SAG-AFTRA member added. “Wait and see what they bring new to the table, what they are willing to reconsider. Wait and see if they have really changed their tune or if this is the old AMPTP back in the room.”
Following the expiration of their contract June 30 and a nearly two-week extension in negotiations,...
- 10/2/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Everybody who needs to be in the room when SAG-AFTRA and the studios sit down for talks next week will be.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the actors union’s national executive director and chief negotiator, will be returning from Turkey this weekend in time for Monday’s resumption of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which will be held at the guild’s offices in Los Angeles.
The two sides hadn’t met since the actors union went on strike on July 14.
Crabtree-Ireland has been in Istanbul attending the annual Executive Committee meeting of the International Federation of Actors (Fia), a global federation that represents some 90 organizations and hundreds of thousands of performers in more than 60 countries.
Related: What’s Next On The Labor Front After WGA’s Tentative Agreement? Quite A Lot, Actually
At the meeting, Fia is expected to declare its support of SAG-AFTRA’s strike,...
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the actors union’s national executive director and chief negotiator, will be returning from Turkey this weekend in time for Monday’s resumption of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which will be held at the guild’s offices in Los Angeles.
The two sides hadn’t met since the actors union went on strike on July 14.
Crabtree-Ireland has been in Istanbul attending the annual Executive Committee meeting of the International Federation of Actors (Fia), a global federation that represents some 90 organizations and hundreds of thousands of performers in more than 60 countries.
Related: What’s Next On The Labor Front After WGA’s Tentative Agreement? Quite A Lot, Actually
At the meeting, Fia is expected to declare its support of SAG-AFTRA’s strike,...
- 9/28/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated with day and venue confirmed: As Deadline first told you Tuesday, SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP are meeting next week. The actors guild and the studio reps released a joint statement Wednesday evening saying that both sides are coming back to the table on Monday, October 2.
“SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP will resume negotiations for a new TV/Theatrical contract on Monday, Oct. 2. Several executives from AMPTP member companies will be in attendance,” read the statement.
Today’s acknowledgment by the 160,000-strong actors union comes after the union had said that there no “confirmed” dates set for them to sit down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television producers in response to Deadline’s exclusive.
As of 12:01 a.m. today, the writers strike came to an end after 148 days, just a few days short of the 1988 strike, the WGA’s longest ever at 153 days.
With the WGA strike over,...
“SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP will resume negotiations for a new TV/Theatrical contract on Monday, Oct. 2. Several executives from AMPTP member companies will be in attendance,” read the statement.
Today’s acknowledgment by the 160,000-strong actors union comes after the union had said that there no “confirmed” dates set for them to sit down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television producers in response to Deadline’s exclusive.
As of 12:01 a.m. today, the writers strike came to an end after 148 days, just a few days short of the 1988 strike, the WGA’s longest ever at 153 days.
With the WGA strike over,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA may soon have another strike on its hands.
On Monday, union members voted 98.32 percent in favor of a strike authorization against the video game industry, with 34,687 members casting ballots and representing a percentage of 27.47 percent of eligible voters. While the results do not guarantee a work stoppage will occur, it gives union negotiators the ability to call a strike during ongoing negotiations for a new Interactive Media Agreement if they deem one necessary.
“It’s time for the video game companies to stop playing games and get serious about reaching an agreement on this contract,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “The result of this vote shows our membership understands the existential nature of these negotiations, and that the time is now for these companies — which are making billions of dollars and paying their CEOs lavishly — to give our performers an agreement that keeps performing in video games as a viable career.
On Monday, union members voted 98.32 percent in favor of a strike authorization against the video game industry, with 34,687 members casting ballots and representing a percentage of 27.47 percent of eligible voters. While the results do not guarantee a work stoppage will occur, it gives union negotiators the ability to call a strike during ongoing negotiations for a new Interactive Media Agreement if they deem one necessary.
“It’s time for the video game companies to stop playing games and get serious about reaching an agreement on this contract,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “The result of this vote shows our membership understands the existential nature of these negotiations, and that the time is now for these companies — which are making billions of dollars and paying their CEOs lavishly — to give our performers an agreement that keeps performing in video games as a viable career.
- 9/26/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SAG-AFTRA members have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike against 10 of the major video game companies. The vote was 98.32% in favor. A total of 34,687 members cast ballots, representing a voting 27.47% of eligible voters. The guild’s last strike against the gaming companies, in 2016-17, lasted 183 days. The guild, meanwhile, has been on strike against the film and TV industry since July 14.
“It’s time for the video game companies to stop playing games and get serious about reaching an agreement on this contract,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “The result of this vote shows our membership understands the existential nature of these negotiations, and that the time is now for these companies — which are making billions of dollars and paying their CEOs lavishly — to give our performers an agreement that keeps performing in video games as a viable career.”
The guild’s board and negotiating committee had already voted unanimously to recommend the authorization vote,...
“It’s time for the video game companies to stop playing games and get serious about reaching an agreement on this contract,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “The result of this vote shows our membership understands the existential nature of these negotiations, and that the time is now for these companies — which are making billions of dollars and paying their CEOs lavishly — to give our performers an agreement that keeps performing in video games as a viable career.”
The guild’s board and negotiating committee had already voted unanimously to recommend the authorization vote,...
- 9/26/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
On Monday, as the Wednesday night negotiation deadline between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) drew nearer, union leadership began to circle the wagons.
Several sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that over 300 top agents got on a Zoom call with Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s chief negotiator and national executive director, and Ray Rodriguez, the chief contracts officer, to answer questions about negotiations and operating during a potential strike.
Negotiation topics that were covered on the call included series exclusivity, residuals, option periods and, of course, uses of A.I., sources say. Additionally, the leadership said members would be allowed to continue work on Actors’ Equity Association and Actra (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) projects after a strike was called; SAG-AFTRA would wait to grant waivers until after the work stoppage commenced.
SAG-AFTRA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The...
Several sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that over 300 top agents got on a Zoom call with Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s chief negotiator and national executive director, and Ray Rodriguez, the chief contracts officer, to answer questions about negotiations and operating during a potential strike.
Negotiation topics that were covered on the call included series exclusivity, residuals, option periods and, of course, uses of A.I., sources say. Additionally, the leadership said members would be allowed to continue work on Actors’ Equity Association and Actra (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) projects after a strike was called; SAG-AFTRA would wait to grant waivers until after the work stoppage commenced.
SAG-AFTRA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The...
- 7/12/2023
- by Mia Galuppo and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: The computers are taking over.
As talks between the actors union and the studios come to down to the final days before the extension of SAG-AFTRA’s current contract expires, artificial intelligence has become a significant obstacle to any deal.
“There seems to be no real negotiations here,” a SAG-AFTRA member close to talks tells Deadline on AI talks with the AMPTP. “Actors see Black Mirror’s ‘Joan Is Awful’ as a documentary of the future, with their likenesses sold off and used any way producers and studios want.” The union member is referring to the opening episode of the latest season of the Charlie Brooker-created satire starring Salma Hayek and Annie Murphy. “We want a solid pathway. The studios countered with ‘trust us’ – we don’t.”
Related: SAG-AFTRA Preparing Picket Signs As Possible Strike Looms
Just like the striking WGA before it, the Fran Drescher-led 160,000-strong...
As talks between the actors union and the studios come to down to the final days before the extension of SAG-AFTRA’s current contract expires, artificial intelligence has become a significant obstacle to any deal.
“There seems to be no real negotiations here,” a SAG-AFTRA member close to talks tells Deadline on AI talks with the AMPTP. “Actors see Black Mirror’s ‘Joan Is Awful’ as a documentary of the future, with their likenesses sold off and used any way producers and studios want.” The union member is referring to the opening episode of the latest season of the Charlie Brooker-created satire starring Salma Hayek and Annie Murphy. “We want a solid pathway. The studios countered with ‘trust us’ – we don’t.”
Related: SAG-AFTRA Preparing Picket Signs As Possible Strike Looms
Just like the striking WGA before it, the Fran Drescher-led 160,000-strong...
- 7/11/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
The top publicists in Hollywood were briefed by leaders of SAG-AFTRA about the possibility of a strike during a reportedly “panicked” meeting. On the call Monday, the publicity firms were told how their talent can help the union if a strike were to take place this week, according to Variety.
“SAG-AFTRA’s National Board has the option to call a strike if the AMPTP won’t agree on a deal that bolsters performer’s careers and ensures their profession remains one that can support a dignified livelihood,” leadership wrote to the PR agencies,...
“SAG-AFTRA’s National Board has the option to call a strike if the AMPTP won’t agree on a deal that bolsters performer’s careers and ensures their profession remains one that can support a dignified livelihood,” leadership wrote to the PR agencies,...
- 7/11/2023
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
Leadership from the performers guild SAG-AFTRA held a conference call with top Hollywood publicity agencies on Monday, bracing the powerful gatekeepers of A-list stars for a strike. The objective of the call, according to sources, was to brief the reps on protocols and how talent can best serve the union if and when a strike takes place.
“SAG-AFTRA’s National Board has the option to call a strike if the AMPTP won’t agree on a deal that bolsters performer’s careers and ensures their profession remains one that can support a dignified livelihood,” leadership wrote to the PR agencies ahead of the meeting. SAG-AFTRA initiated the meeting.
During the call, which one participant described as panicked, the publicists asked varied questions — including if their clients would be allowed to sit for panels at the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con, and if promotional obligations outside the United States would be kosher.
“SAG-AFTRA’s National Board has the option to call a strike if the AMPTP won’t agree on a deal that bolsters performer’s careers and ensures their profession remains one that can support a dignified livelihood,” leadership wrote to the PR agencies ahead of the meeting. SAG-AFTRA initiated the meeting.
During the call, which one participant described as panicked, the publicists asked varied questions — including if their clients would be allowed to sit for panels at the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con, and if promotional obligations outside the United States would be kosher.
- 7/10/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
A federal judge has dismissed Frances Fisher’s lawsuit against SAG-AFTRA, in which the actress accused the union and several of its former and current leaders of breaching their duty of fair representation over the raising of eligibility requirements for coverage under the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan
. U.S. District Court Judge Christina Snyder dismissed the suit with prejudice Thursday, meaning that Fisher and her co-plaintiffs cannot refile it. Snyder previously has dismissed the suit without prejudice and allowed Fisher to file an amended complaint.
Fisher, who is first vice president of the union’s Los Angeles Local and a member of its national board of directors, named former SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris, national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, former national executive director David White, chief contracts officer Ray Rodriguez and several other SAG-AFTRA officials as defendants. Other plaintiffs in the case included SAG-AFTRA members David Andrews, Belinda Balaski, Stephen Hart, Raymond Harry Johnson,...
. U.S. District Court Judge Christina Snyder dismissed the suit with prejudice Thursday, meaning that Fisher and her co-plaintiffs cannot refile it. Snyder previously has dismissed the suit without prejudice and allowed Fisher to file an amended complaint.
Fisher, who is first vice president of the union’s Los Angeles Local and a member of its national board of directors, named former SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris, national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, former national executive director David White, chief contracts officer Ray Rodriguez and several other SAG-AFTRA officials as defendants. Other plaintiffs in the case included SAG-AFTRA members David Andrews, Belinda Balaski, Stephen Hart, Raymond Harry Johnson,...
- 7/30/2022
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
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