The Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) is currently in a critical phase of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), with AI protections for high-earning members being a significant sticking point, according to THR.
Key Takeaways:
- SAG-AFTRA is in tense negotiations with AMPTP, with AI protections as a key issue.
- The union rejected AMPTP’s final offer due to a clause allowing unpaid reuse of performers’ scans.
- High-earning members could have their likenesses used without consent, especially posthumously.
- SAG-AFTRA’s counteroffer seeks to remove the AI clause and improve other terms.
- The union’s committee has communicated its determination to reach a fair agreement to its members.
Negotiation Standstill
SAG-AFTRA has rejected the “last, best and final” offer from AMPTP, primarily due to a clause concerning AI. The proposed clause would allow studios to pay for scans of performers but not for their subsequent use or reuse.
The AI Clause and Schedule F Performers
The clause in question pertains to Schedule F performers—those who earn above the minimum for series regulars and feature films. While studios would pay for their likeness scans, SAG-AFTRA is pushing for additional compensation for any reuse of these scans, along with the necessary consent from the performers.
Implications for High-Earning Members
This issue directly impacts high-earning SAG-AFTRA members, who are at risk of having their likenesses used without consent posthumously. The current language in the AMPTP’s offer does not require consent from the estate of deceased performers or from SAG-AFTRA for such use.
Ongoing Efforts
SAG-AFTRA has been working on a counteroffer, aiming to remove the contentious AI language and address other non-monetary items. The union emphasizes the importance of closing this loophole to prevent exploitation of performers.
Union’s Response
On Monday afternoon, SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee informed members that they had responded to the AMPTP’s offer, underscoring their commitment to securing a fair deal and ending the strike responsibly.
Background Information
SAG-AFTRA represents around 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists, and other media professionals. The negotiations with AMPTP are crucial as they set the standard for how talent is compensated and protected, especially in an era where digital reproduction and AI are becoming increasingly prevalent in the entertainment industry. The outcome of these negotiations will likely have long-lasting implications for the rights of performers in the digital age.
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