Hollywood actors resume talks for restart shortly after writers’ new deal.
Hollywood actors currently on strike will continue negotiations with studios next week, just days after writers ended their own nearly five-month-long strike this week.
The actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it will meet with executives from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on Oct. 2 as part of ongoing efforts to secure a new deal.
“As negotiations proceed, we will report any substantive updates directly to you,” the union said. ”We appreciate the incredible displays of solidarity and support from all of you over the last 76 days of this strike,” it added.
The update comes shortly after the Hollywood writer’s strike was declared over on Sept. 26 when board members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) approved a new contract with AMPTP following months of negotiations over higher salaries, residuals for streaming programs, and protections against the growing threat of artificial intelligence (AI) in the film industry.
The governing boards of the eastern and western branches of the WGA both voted to accept the new three-year deal, which includes minimum pay increases of 5 percent, effective immediately, followed by another 4 percent increase in May 2024 and another 3.5 percent increase in May 2025.
Meanwhile, the Health Fund contributions on reportable earnings will also increase by a half percentage point, to 12 percent, in the second year of the new agreement.
A key point in the negotiations centered on residuals and under the new contract, WGA members will receive a “bonus equal to 50 percent of the fixed domestic and foreign residual” if the show or film is “viewed by 20 percent or more of the service’s domestic subscribers in the first 90 days of release or the first 90 days of any subsequent exhibition year.”
Concerns Over AI, Revenues
The contentious topic of AI was also addressed under the new deal, which states that such technology will be banned from being used to write or rewrite literary material. Studios will also be prohibited from requiring writers to use AI technology.
Union members can, however, choose to use AI when performing writing services if the company consents.
After voting to accept the new agreement, WGA said writers could now go back to work starting at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
Hollywood actors have raised similar concerns in their strikes, which began in July, and have called for a larger slice of the revenue generated by streaming shows, as well as better working conditions and AI protections.
Earlier this month, the strike was expanded to include video game makers.
“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 in a statement announcing the expanded strike on Sept. 25.
“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,” she added.
SAG-AFTRA was formed in 2012 following the merger of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
It represents roughly 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, and more.
While negotiations are set to begin again on Monday, it is unclear how much longer the strikes—which have stalled production on multiple movies and TV shows—will last.
What are the main issues and demands of the actors’ union in the ongoing negotiations, and how do they impact the future of the entertainment industry
Months of availability on the service,” according to a statement from the guild.
Additionally, the new contract includes provisions to protect the rights of writers in the face of technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence tools that can write scripts and generate content. It establishes guidelines and protections for writers in cases where AI tools are used to create content without the involvement of human writers.
The strike by the writers, which began on May 1, had a significant impact on the entertainment industry, disrupting the production of television shows and films. The negotiations were intense and contentious, with both sides facing challenges in reaching an agreement that addressed the writers’ demands while also considering the financial constraints and future sustainability of the industry.
With the resolution of the writers’ strike, all eyes are now on the actors’ union as they enter the next phase of negotiations. The demands of the actors include issues such as working conditions, fair compensation, and better representation for underrepresented groups in the industry. The outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching implications for the future of the industry and the working conditions of the actors.
The Hollywood writers’ strike and the ongoing negotiations with the actors’ union highlight the challenges faced by workers in the entertainment industry. These strikes serve as a reminder that even in glamorous industries like Hollywood, workers’ rights and fair treatment are paramount.
As negotiations continue, industry professionals and fans alike are eager to see a resolution that benefits all parties involved and ensures the sustainability and growth of the entertainment industry. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of Hollywood and the working conditions of its actors.
In the meantime, viewers can look forward to the return of their favorite shows and movies as productions resume after the end of the writers’ strike. The settlement reached between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will ensure the continuation of creative and compelling storytelling in the industry.
While the negotiations with the actors’ union may pose further challenges, it is hoped that a fair and mutually beneficial agreement can be reached, allowing the actors to receive the compensation and working conditions they deserve while also supporting the long-term sustainability and success of the entertainment industry.
As the negotiations between the actors’ union and the studios progress, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the developments and hoping for a swift resolution that can bring stability and harmony back to the world of Hollywood.
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