SAG-AFTRA Reschedules Negotiations: In a recent turn of events, negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood studios have been rescheduled for Thursday as the performers’ union decides to take more time to respond to the latest proposals from the companies.
Executives from Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros. Discovery, among other notable figures in the business, represented management during Tuesday’s negotiations by presenting a modified version of the success-based streaming bonus. This proposal, previously accepted by the Writers Guild of America in September, aims to reward members with successful streaming projects. However, sources describe this offer as lackluster, prompting SAG-AFTRA to seek a more favorable response from the studios.
SAG-AFTRA initially sought a share of revenue generated by series on streaming platforms, later scaling down to a 1 percent fee on streaming subscribers. Despite these efforts, negotiations hit a snag, leading to a two-week hiatus in talks starting on October 11. The studios’ current proposal for a success-based streaming bonus is estimated to impact only around 40 out of approximately 600 shows, generating about $27 million annually, significantly less than the $500-million proposal put forth by SAG-AFTRA.
Additionally, the studios offered a larger annual pay increase for performers’ contractually defined minimum wages, suggesting a 7 percent bump in the first year of the contract, up from the previous 5 percent. Background performers were offered an 11 percent increase. However, SAG-AFTRA had been advocating for an 11 percent increase for all performers to account for inflation.
As of Tuesday, several major issues remained unresolved, including regulations on the use of AI, increases to streaming residuals, and pension and health contribution caps. The CEOs are expected to address these significant matters, with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers negotiators handling the rest of the issues on SAG-AFTRA’s agenda. The upcoming Thursday meeting will provide a crucial opportunity for the union to respond to the studios’ latest proposals and seek a resolution to the ongoing negotiations.
Our Reader’s Queries
What is the new deal with SAG-AFTRA?
SAG-AFTRA has struck a game-changing deal with the AMPTP, bringing about some of the most substantial updates to the contract in decades. This groundbreaking agreement encompasses over $1 billion in fresh compensation and benefit plan funding, as well as substantial improvements to the traditional residuals formulas.
What is the new Schedule F for SAG?
The Schedule F fee for a motion picture has risen from $65,000 to $80,000 after years of remaining unchanged. Additionally, the fee for half-hour TV and new media movies has increased to $37,500 from $32,000, while the fee for one hour and longer TV and new media movies has increased to $45,000 from $32,000.
What is the day rate for a SAG actor?
The SAG day rate comes in at a solid $420, and the SAG weekly rate is set at $1,459. These rates are calculated as 35% of the minimum rates guaranteed in the Theatrical Basic Agreement.
How much does SAG-AFTRA get paid?
The typical SAG-AFTRA hourly wages span from about $24 per hour for an Administrative Assistant to $43 per hour for an Actor. The employees at SAG-AFTRA give the complete compensation and benefits package a rating of 3.6/5 stars.
