SAG-AFTRA, Studios Still ‘Far Apart’ On Key Issues as Clock Ticks Down

The July 12 deadline approaches…

Via StrikeGeist:

Five days left until Hollywood faces a possible double actors-writers strike, and I’m hearing from multiple sources that talks between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP are still miles apart on most of the key issues — from artificial intelligence to streaming residuals to pension caps — and then some.

Negotiations over this weekend are likely, as the July 12 deadline approaches.

Just a week ago, the actors union and major studios extended their deadline to hammer out a new, three-year TV/theatrical deal from June 30 to the end of this upcoming Wednesday. This means that we’ll soon know whether SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have come to an acceptable agreement that covers more than 160,000 performers, or whether we’ll be waking up Thursday to an industry that is in the throes of a three-pronged war between the studios, actors and writers.

Despite the oddly cheery video released by SAG-AFTRA pres Fran Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland just a couple of weekends ago, several sources tell me that Drescher has actually been a vocal advocate in the negotiating room in Sherman Oaks, where a total of 40 to 50 people from both sides (plus a few on Zoom) meet.

“This is an existential negotiation. This is the end of actors,” one person familiar with the negotiations tells me. “She has been an enlightening, surprisingly strong leader of negotiations — not just a celebrity voice.”

A hot rumor:

Joe Russo on Twitter: “Word on the street… SAG brought AI experts into the negotiating room and they blew giant HOLES in the AMPTP’s language on AI.Unlike the DGA, SAG does not appear to be taking Carol Lombardini’s shit when it comes to Artificial Intelligence. / Twitter”

Word on the street… SAG brought AI experts into the negotiating room and they blew giant HOLES in the AMPTP’s language on AI.Unlike the DGA, SAG does not appear to be taking Carol Lombardini’s shit when it comes to Artificial Intelligence.

As I’ve been saying all along, while the financial issues (e.g., foreign residuals, increased pension and health payments) are important, AI is an existential concern. The writers get this. Hopefully, the actors do as well and SAG-AFTRA will go on strike as of July 12. Writers and actors together on the picket line is the best shot at forcing the AMPTP’s hand.

Meanwhile: As Writers & Actors Fight For AI Protections, Artificial Intelligence Screenplay Competition Opens & Quickly Closes.

For the rest of the StrikeGeist article, go here.

For the latest updates on the strike and news resources, go here.

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