Talks between SAG-AFTRA and major studios have broken down. The Alliance of Film and Television Producers said the gap between the two sides was still huge. This confirmed the fears of experts who claimed that the conflict may last some time. What are the consequences of suspending the talks?
Although the writers reached an agreement with the studios and ended the strike, the actors are still in negotiations. Let us recall that they joined the strike for slightly different reasons. They wanted to regulate changes resulting from changes made by streaming platforms and specify the rules for using the digital version of actors created by artificial intelligence.
In the current negotiations, the key point of contention seems to be streaming revenues. AMPTP says the union’s proposal would cost $800 million a year. SAG-AFTRA says the number is exaggerated by 60% and accused studios of using scare tactics, noting that the proposal would only cost streaming platforms 57 cents per subscriber per year. Another reason is that actors do not want artificial intelligence to be used without the artists’ consent.
The suspension of talks means that the strike will continue, which means that production of SAG-AFTRA-related films and series will immediately cease, as will marketing campaigns. Talk shows such as Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert and John Oliver have returned following a deal with the WGA, but shows that are scripted remain at a standstill.
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