Things are looking a little less scary for Hollywood this Halloween night.
On the 110th day of the 2023 actors strike, SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and the Hollywood studios wrapped up their latest negotiations session for the holiday, with a deal appearing to be within reach.
After a day spent dealing with artificial intelligence (AI) issues, the two sides broke off in the afternoon and are set to return to the bargaining table on Wednesday. While talks are headed in the right direction, one source from the studio side expressed that it may take a few more days to work through the remaining issues. However, two additional sources from the studio side said that talks are progressing overall in a substantive way, and a deal could be imminent. Furthermore, multiple prominent actors have also received word that a deal could be at hand soon.
Only a day earlier, SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee had informed its members that a new deal and an end to the strike might not be immediate, stating that they remained far apart on key issues. However, a source from the studio side remained optimistic that a deal could be reached soon. At that point, the two sides had not yet finalized the contract language regarding AI and the actors’ attempt to share in the revenue from streaming projects.
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In a video message to SAG-AFTRA members, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s national executive director and chief negotiator, emphasized the importance of continued effort towards a satisfactory agreement. He stated that while he is cautiously optimistic, the union needs to keep the pressure on and push for important elements that are not yet in the agreement. In particular, a fair deal on AI is crucial.
Both the studios and the union are under pressure to reach a new three-year agreement in a timely manner. The studios have expressed that their 2024 film slates will be in jeopardy if a deal is not reached this week. In an attempt to move the talks along, a group of A-list actors met with representatives from the union and the studios earlier in October. Additionally, thousands of SAG-AFTRA members signed an open letter showing their solidarity with the strike and urging negotiating leaders not to back down.
As negotiations continue, it is clear that the stakes are high for both sides. The actors strike has had a significant impact on the entertainment industry, causing delays and disruptions in film and television production. A resolution to the strike would not only provide relief to the studios, allowing them to resume their planned projects, but it would also alleviate the financial burden on the actors who have been without work for over 100 days.
In conclusion, while Hollywood still faces challenges in reaching a new agreement, there are signs of progress. The negotiations session for the holiday ended on a positive note, with talks heading in the right direction. Both sides seem determined to find a resolution soon, and with the pressure mounting, a deal could be reached sooner rather than later. The outcome of these negotiations will have a significant impact on the future of the entertainment industry and the lives of the actors involved.
