The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers today responded to SAG-AFTRA’s strike call, saying in a statement: “A strike is certainly not the outcome we hoped for as studios are left without the cast members who make our television shows and films bring to life cannot function.” . The Union has regrettably chosen a path that will result in financial hardship for untold thousands of people who depend on the industry.”
Here is the full statement from the AMPTP:
AMPTP member companies entered into negotiations with SAG-AFTRA to finalize a new mutually beneficial agreement. The AMPTP put forward a deal that offered historic salary and residual increases, substantially higher pension and health insurance caps, audition protection, reduced series option periods, and a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors’ digital likenesses for SAG-AFTRA members . A strike is certainly not the outcome we were hoping for as studios cannot function without the artists who bring our TV shows and films to life. The Union has regrettably chosen a path that will result in financial hardship for untold thousands of people who depend on the industry.
Here are some of the elements of the producers’ offer that SAG-AFTRA has waived in favor of a strike:
- The highest percentage increase in minimums in 35 years
- 76% increase in foreign backlogs of high budget SVOD
- Significant increase in pension and health insurance contribution caps
- Groundbreaking AI proposal that protects artists’ digital likenesses, including requiring artist consent for the creation and use of digital replicas or for digital modifications of a performance.
- 58% higher lead (guest) star salaries on high-budget SVOD programs.
- Limit self-tape requests, including page, time, and technical requirements. Virtual or in-person audition options.
- 11% first-year salary increase for background actors, substitute actors and photo doubles, an additional 17% increase for background actors who must perform extensive self-styling, and an additional 62% increase for substitute actors who must provide the text during a film run and photo doubles are required, to memorize and recite lines in front of the camera.
- For the first time ever, fixed residuals for stunt coordinators on television and high-budget SVOD programs.
- Reduced option periods for series regulars earning less than $65,000 per episode for a half-hour series or less than $70,000 per episode for an hour-long series.
- Dancers now receive the on-camera rate for rehearsal days.
- Additional payments of 25% for dancers who have to sing in front of the camera during filming as well as for singers who have to dance in front of the camera.
- The first regulation of its kind setting tariffs, terms and conditions for high-budget programs for AVOD.
- Hair and makeup advice for artists of all skin types and hair textures.
- Limiting the amount of initial compensation that can be brought forward as a balance or paid in advance.
There’s more to come…
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