EXCLUSIVE: SAG-AFTRA and the studios are scheduled for further discussions as they continue to negotiate a deal to end the 106-day strike. While an agreement is not expected tonight, talks are expected to extend into the weekend if necessary. The location of the discussions, whether at SAG-AFTRA’s Wilshire offices or virtually, is yet to be determined. According to sources, the recent proposals made by SAG-AFTRA have not received an entirely positive response from the AMPTP president Carol Lombardini and the major studio representatives. However, both parties recognize the need to continue the dialogue and build on the terms presented.
On October 11, SAG-AFTRA proposed a charge of around 57¢ per subscriber annually for the streamers, which led to the studios walking out of negotiations. Netflix’s Ted Sarandos referred to the proposal as “a bridge too far” and “a levy on subscribers.” In response, SAG-AFTRA adjusted their demand from an 11% increase to 9% in their counteroffer.
Despite the cautious optimism expressed during the face-to-face meeting held yesterday, major issues like success-based compensation and AI still need to be addressed. In a letter released after talks concluded for the day, several prominent actors, including Julia Louis Dreyfus, Jon Hamm, and Sarah Paulson, expressed their refusal to settle for a bad deal and their willingness to continue striking if necessary. The letter echoed a similar one sent in June by stars like Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, and Amy Schumer.
Efforts to resolve the strike have become increasingly crucial as the entertainment industry has suffered global production stoppages and significant economic losses. If a deal is not reached soon, the industry could face a complete write-off for the first half of 2024. The California economy has already experienced a $6.5 billion drop since May, including the impact of the resolved writers strike, and the loss of 45,000 entertainment industry jobs. Moreover, the delay of major movies like Pixar’s “Elio” and the live-action “Snow White” and the postponement of “Mission: Impossible 8” signals a potential $1.5 billion loss at the global box office next year.
In the midst of these challenges, actors must fight for fair compensation in the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry. The switch to streaming has left many performers earning less compared to traditional linear TV. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher has questioned where the money is, suggesting that it is in the hands of CEOs and companies rather than the pockets of actors. These ongoing negotiations aim to rectify this disparity and ensure fair compensation for performers in the streaming era.
