Ellie Iorizzo, LA Correspondent
Wed, 8 November 2023
US actors union Sag-Aftra has agreed a “tentative deal” with Hollywood studio bosses to end a historic 118-day strike.
In an announcement on Wednesday, the union said the longest walkout in it’s history will end at 12.01am US Pacific time on Thursday following a “unanimous vote”.
The union, which represents around 160,000 members of the industry, has been on strike since July 14 causing major disruption to Hollywood productions.
The deal comes after the union’s negotiating committee spent days deliberating over several items it deemed “essential”, including artificial intelligence.
It followed a “last, best and final” offer from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) – the group representing studios, streaming services and producers in negotiations.
The tentative deal will go to the Sag-Aftra national board on Friday “for review and consideration”, the union announced.
It comes weeks after the union confirmed industry chief executives had “walked away from the bargaining table” after refusing to counter its latest offer, sparking “profound disappointment”.
Hollywood has been at a near-standstill for months following both the actors and writers strikes.
In September the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which represents more than 11,000 members, agreed to a deal with studio bosses after 146 days on the picket line over issues of pay and the threat of artificial intelligence.
Throughout the strikes, Hollywood stars including Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis, US director Olivia Wilde, and Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis have been keen to show their solidarity on the picket line.
On Instagram, Curtis wrote: “Perseverance pays off!” following news that a deal had been made.
Sag-Aftra hails ‘extraordinary scope’ of tentative deal with Hollywood studios
Ellie Iorizzo, LA Correspondent
Wed, 8 November 2023
US actors union Sag-Aftra said it has achieved a deal of “extraordinary scope” with Hollywood studio bosses which will be worth more than one billion dollars.
It comes after the union reached a “tentative agreement” with the Alliance of Motion Picture and TV Producers (AMPTP) in a unanimous vote, marking an end to the historic 118-day walkout.
It said the strike, which has caused major disruption to Hollywood productions since it began on July 14, will officially end on Thursday.
Full details of the deal will not be announced until the tentative agreement is reviewed by the Sag-Aftra national board on Friday.
However, a statement from the union said it has achieved a deal of “extraordinary scope” in a contract “valued at over one billion dollars”, including protection from the threat of artificial intelligence and “unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation”.
It continued: “We have arrived at a contract that will enable Sag-Aftra members from every category to build sustainable careers, many thousands of performers now and into the future will benefit from this work.”
Meanwhile, the AMPTP said the tentative agreement “represents a new paradigm”.
It said: “It gives Sag-Aftra the biggest contract-on-contract gains in the history of the union, including the largest increase in minimum wages in the last 40 years; a brand new residual for streaming programmes; extensive consent and compensation protections in the use of artificial intelligence; and sizeable contract increases on items across the board.
“The AMPTP is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement and looks forward to the industry resuming the work of telling great stories.”
Actor Bryan Cranston speaks during the Sag-Aftra Rock the City for a Fair Contract rally in Times Square in July (Charles Sykes/AP)
The deal comes after the union, which represents around 160,000 members of the industry, spent days deliberating over several items it deemed “essential”, including artificial intelligence.
Hollywood has been at a near-standstill for months following both the actors and writers strikes.
In September the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which represents more than 11,000 members, agreed to a deal with studio bosses after 146 days on the picket line over issues of pay and the threat of artificial intelligence.
Sag-Aftra added: “We also thank our union siblings — the workers that power this industry — for the sacrifices they have made while supporting our strike and that of the Writers Guild of America. We stand together in solidarity and will be there for you when you need us.
“Thank you all for your dedication, your commitment and your solidarity throughout this strike. It is because of YOU that these improvements became possible.”
Striking actors agree deal with Hollywood studios
Andrew MARSZAL
Wed, 8 November 2023
Hollywood actors and studios have reached a tentative deal to end a months-long strike (Robyn Beck)
Hollywood actors and studios reached a tentative deal Wednesday to end a months-long strike that has crippled the entertainment industry, delayed hundreds of popular shows and films, and cost billions to the US economy.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) called off its 118-day strike from midnight (0800 GMT Thursday) after finally reaching an agreement with the likes of Disney and Netflix for a new contract including higher pay, and protections against the use of artificial intelligence.
The announcement paves the way for actors to head back to movie sets, an end to picket lines outside studios, and a return to employment for thousands of other jobs linked to the entertainment industry.
"In a unanimous vote this afternoon, the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Committee approved a tentative agreement... bringing an end to the 118-day strike," a spokeswoman said in a statement to AFP.
In a message sent to union members, negotiators said the contract was valued at more than $1 billion and would enable members "to build sustainable careers."
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios, said it was "pleased" to have reached a deal, and trumpeted a "brand new residual for streaming programs," without offering details. Residuals are long-term payments for shows after their initial release.
The deal still needs to be ratified by the union's board, and members. That process could take weeks, but the agreement is widely expected to pass.
- 'Incredible!' -
Talks between the two sides had taken place almost daily for the past two weeks, with CEOs of studios including Disney, Netflix, Warner and Universal often attending personally, as the clamor for a deal grew.
Given the duration of the strike, studios already face gaping holes in their release schedules for next year and beyond, while many out-of-work actors have struggled to make ends meet, been forced to find second jobs or quit the business altogether.
The news spread instantly across Hollywood, with celebrities expressing joy and relief.
"Incredible! I'm so happy we were all able to come to an agreement. Let's get back to work! Let's go! I'm so stoked," Zac Efron told reporters at a premiere for "The Iron Claw."
"PERSEVERANCE PAYS OFF!" wrote Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis on Instagram.
- 'Fair agreement' -
SAG-AFTRA represents some 160,000 performers.
While Hollywood's elite stars earn millions, many less-known actors said it had become almost impossible to earn a decent living in recent years, as long-standing pay structures had failed to keep pace with inflation and industry changes.
When SAG-AFTRA walked out in mid-July, Hollywood writers were also on strike, although they have since resolved their own contract dispute.
It was the first time that the two unions had headed to the picket lines simultaneously since 1960, when actor (and future US president) Ronald Reagan led the protests.
Economists estimate the overall cost of the industry-wide Hollywood standstill at at least $6 billion, mainly from lost wages.
Studios, who have already delayed the release of major films such as "Dune: Part Two" and the next "Mission: Impossible" installment, will now be scrambling to restart productions on hit shows like "Stranger Things" in time for next year.
Given the vast backlog of productions waiting to resume, actors and soundstages are expected to be in high demand in the coming months, creating further bottlenecks for the industry.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass welcomed the "fair agreement" that had been reached, noting that the strikes had "impacted millions in Los Angeles and throughout the country."
"Now, we must lean in on local production to ensure that our entertainment industry rebounds stronger than ever and our economy is able to get back on its feet," she said in a statement.
- Residuals and AI -
In resolving the standoff, both sides compromised on minimum pay, settling on an increase from the previous contract of around eight percent.
That is less than actors originally wanted, but higher than writers obtained, and the biggest increase in decades.
An improved bonus structure for starring in hit shows or films was also eventually agreed.
The growth of streaming platforms, who typically pay minimal "residuals" when a hit show gets rewatched, had severely eroded actors' incomes, so the new provision on that front will be welcome news for performers.
AI proved a major sticking point in the final stretch of negotiations, as actors fear the technology could be used to clone their voices and likenesses.
SAG-AFTRA said the agreement includes "unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI."
Full details of the deal will be published following a SAG-AFTRA board meeting to review the terms on Friday, the union said.
amz/sst/md
What can we expect following the ‘official suspension’ of actors strike
Ellie Iorizzo, LA Correspondent
Wed, 8 November 2023
The US actors strike led to an industry wide shutdown.
The 118-day walkout saw disruption to film and TV productions, red carpet premieres, film festivals and awards shows.
Announcing the end of the strike, a statement from union Sag-Aftra said: “As of 12.01am Pacific time on November 9, our strike is officially suspended and all picket locations are closed.”
Here, the PA news agency looks at what we can expect now the strike has officially ended:
– Film and TV production
Camera crews are set to roll again after Sag-Aftra announced a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and TV Producers (AMPTP).
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman will star in Deadpool 3 (Jacob King/PA)
When the strikes were first announced, the entertainment industry went into shutdown with much-anticipated films including Deadpool 3 starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman immediately wrapping production in the UK.
Director Jon M Chu said the cast of Wicked which includes Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey were days away from completing the film before the announcement halted production “until the strike is over”.
Production on film and TV series are expected to start momentarily following the end of the strike.
– Film and TV premieres
During the strike, Sag-Aftra members were barred from publicising any of their upcoming projects which meant for months, film and TV premieres went ahead without its stars.
Rami Malek, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh and Cillian Murphy attend the UK premiere of Oppenheimer before they had to leave following the strike announcement (Ian West/PA)
On July 14, the much-anticipated premiere of Christopher Nolan’s epic Oppenheimer clashed with the Sag-Aftra strike announcement forcing its film stars including Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Matt Damon to walk off the red carpet.
The premiere was brought forward by an hour in anticipation of the news but later saw stars including Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr, Sir Kenneth Branagh and Rami Malek forced to leave before the screening of the film.
Following the suspension of the strike, film and TV premieres can go ahead as planned with its stars once again able to promote their work.
– Film festivals
The strike also affected international film festivals such as Venice, Telluride and Toronto as stars were forced to sit out.
Martin Scorsese at the London Film Festival (Victoria Jones/PA)
During the London Film Festival in October, filmmaker Martin Scorsese said he was “disappointed” that the stars of his latest film, Killers Of The Flower Moon, could not attend its London premiere amid the ongoing Sag-Aftra strike.
The epic Western crime saga stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Jesse Plemons.
The end of the strike means big name film festivals such as Sundance, Berlin and Cannes film festival can go ahead as planned at the beginning of 2024.
– Awards shows
Following the announcement of the strike, actors were forbidden to campaign for or attend award shows.
It forced the Television Academy to announce a new date for the 75th Emmy Awards which had been originally scheduled to be broadcast on Fox on September 18 amid the strikes.
The organisation announced that the ceremony would now take place on January 15 2024, just a week after the 81st annual Golden Globes, which is currently due to take place on January 7.
The end of the strike means the awards season which includes the Oscars ceremony in March will not be postponed and will go ahead with its stars as planned.
Hollywood stars react to agreement to end strike: ‘Let’s get back to work!’
Ellie Iorizzo, LA Correspondent
Wed, 8 November 2023
Hollywood film and TV stars are praising a “tentative agreement” that has been reached with Hollywood studio bosses marking the end of a strike that has lasted many months.
Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer led a host of famous faces celebrating the news, writing on Instagram: “Who else is dancing right now? Ready to work now that the strike is over!”
She added: “Congratulations and thank you to our @sagaftra negotiating committee! Proud to stand in solidarity with all Sag members over the last 118 days.”
Similarly, This Is Us star Mandy Moore said on her Instagram story: “Let’s get back to work, friends!”
She added: “Thank you @sagaftra negotiators and leadership for getting us over the finish line!!! Gratitude is the attitude!!
“And grateful to all those who walked the walked (picketers, strike captains, our fellow union brothers and sisters etc),” she added.
Appearing on the red carpet at the premiere of The Iron Claw, US actor Zac Efron said: “Incredible, I’m so happy that we’re all able to come to an agreement, let’s get back to work, I’m so stoked.
“I literally just found out a minute ago so this is great news, congrats everybody we did it, love you guys, let’s go.”
Meanwhile, US actor Alec Baldwin captioned a celebratory Instagram video: “Congratulations to each and every person, on both sides, who are responsible for this great occasion.”
Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis wrote on her Instagram story “Perseverance pays off!”, while Stranger Things actor Noah Schnapp said “We did it!!!!” and Abbott Elementary creator-turned-star Quinta Brunson wrote: “Oh, we’re very back.”
Hawaii Five-0 actor Daniel Dae Kim also tweeted: “Woo hooo!!!! Let’s hope the deal is fair and we can get back to work!”
Sag-Aftra president Fran Drescher, who has been at the front of negotiations, also took to Instagram to share her delight, revealing the tentative deal is worth three times the last contract.
“New ground was broke everywhere,” she said.
While Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass shared an official statement describing her gratitude that a “fair agreement” had been reached “after a more than 100 day strike that impacted millions in Los Angeles and throughout the country”.
She added: “Those on the line have been the hardest hit during this period and there have been ripple effects throughout our entire city.
“Today’s tentative agreement is going to impact nearly every part of our economy. Now, we must lean in on local production to ensure that our entertainment industry rebounds stronger than ever and our economy is able to get back on its feet.”
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