Ketty
SAG-AFTRA advised its members Monday night that negotiations would resume Tuesday, but warned that the two sides remain “far apart” on key issues.
The union and major studios have been negotiating for a week, focusing on issues such as an increase in minimum payments, a new residual model in streaming and artificial intelligence.
“The team worked independently today. We will meet with AMPTP on Tuesday,” the union advised its members. “While the talks over the past week have been fruitful, we are far apart on key issues.”
The union asked members to keep up the pressure on the studios by posting on social media and to go on strike.
Studios have warned that unless a deal is reached this week, broadcasters are unlikely to save half a season of scripted television. The 2024 summer movie season is also in jeopardy as more films are being delayed to 2025.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s top negotiator, appeared at the picket on Monday morning and said he was “cautiously optimistic” about the talks.
“As long as we keep talking about things moving forward, that’s what needs to happen,” he said. “Progress has been made, and that is the source of my continued cautious optimism.”
The union sought to establish a framework of regulations around the use of artificial intelligence to create “digital twins”. Although the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has said it agrees artists must give consent and pay for AI use, the union has long maintained that the “devil is in the details.”
Crabtree-Ireland said on Monday that the union was still trying to limit AI approval to one project. He said studios should instead require a single endorsement to be valid for the entire run of a franchise.
The union tried to give itself a veto over AI applications, which the studios resisted.
