Projects on Hold as Contracts End
Posted on July 1, 2008
It looks like the Actors won’t budge and their contacts run out tonight. After a devastating strike from the Writer’s Union that lasted from November to February, the industry is terrified that Alan Rosenberg will lead his union to a strike. This is still unlikely, but Hollywood is taking no chances and halted projects such as Transformers II until an agreement is made.
For those of you who think this is just an interruption in your programming, think again. We are talking about 120,000 jobs that are not receiving adequate changes to their contracts to cover the future of the tv and film markets. These aren’t amateurs, these are professionals who deserve the dignity of financial security.
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Filed Under film, strike, SAG, Actors | Leave a Comment
Still No Deal For SAG
Posted on June 19, 2008
With less than two weeks to go before the SAG contracts are up and no deal in sight, everyone is wondering what the Hell is next. After the Directors, Writers, and AFTRA made major concessions to move forward, there is little evidence that SAG too will bow to pressures on DVD sales. The whole industry is changing drastically, and a wrong move in these negotiations can make the difference between middle class artists and street corner artists.
If a deal isn’t reached by the end of the month, the union could either vote to extend the previously existing contracts, or vote to authorize a strike. Is the American television viewing audience patient enough for another hiatus? I doubt it.
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AFTRA Reaches Agreement
Posted on June 3, 2008
The pressure returns to SAG as AFTRA falls in line with the basic model created by the Directors and Writers Unions. Along with a noticeable raise in minimum pay, the deal increases the unions jurisdiction over web based programming as long as production exceeds fifteen thousand a minute.
On the other side of things they were unable to revise a decade old payment system for DVD sales that has always bordered on sharecropping. That’ll be a sticking point as SAG returns to the table, and I would be surprised if it isn’t a deal breaker.
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Actors In Negotiation Stand Divided
Posted on May 8, 2008
The first round of talks met no success. The Screen Actors Guild has been fighting it out with the networks for two weeks now, and it looks like there’s no resolution in sight. With the current contracts for actors running out June 30th, there is already chatter that clearance for a strike may happen as early as next week.
What’s at stake? Quite a lot. The Television industry is moving it’s business model onto the internet, and current contract agreements are excluding actors from their FAIR SHARE of those revenues. AMPTP wants three more years to finish the transition, but meanwhile people aren’t getting paid for their hard work. To make matters even more confusing, AFTRA has dispatched Matthew Kimbrough to proceed with their own separate negotiations.
Only time will tell if the divided will fall.
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Filed Under film, strike, SAG, AFTRA | Leave a Comment
And in This Corner!
Posted on April 16, 2008
“Aside from my family, I have two great loves in my life: acting and the fight for social justice,” he said. “Oh yes, we are very serious.”
The New York Times has done a nice piece on Alan Rosenberg, probably the most feared man in Hollywood this spring. Even the Governator will have to tip his crew-cut when he hears those spurs ring through the dust.
The offers have hit the table to the sound of aluminum thunder and I am on the edge of my seat. From my perspective in the Big Apple I can tell you that there are many media artisans on the cusp of going union, and that over the next few years there will be a tidal wave in new members. Due to the high costs of living in the city to get this work, it’s very important that we are creating a middle class income. This is about getting a fair shake and supporting a family. It’s just American.
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More News on the Front: A Country Divided
Posted on April 6, 2008
With the emerging technologies influencing the boundaries of art, one can see the turbulence between theater and Film. Just when we thought we had an agreement, SAG and AFTRA have drawn a deep line in the sand. This has been a long time coming, with mixed media doing what it does best.
Who would have thought it would be over the small screen.
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Who wants to Go Again?
Posted on April 3, 2008
Just when network television and Hollywood managed to struggle up on their knees in order to search for the rest of their teeth, an ominous shadow engulfs their closeups. That’s right, it’s negotiating time. Standing in this corner with the tall leather English boots, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).
The industry is waking up to the changing times, and the unions are trying to keep up the pace. With all these positive changes in the industry it’s too bad the two sides presently conflict, but look at the brighter side. This will only improve the quality of their programming, and the eagerness of their audiences. Not to mention the justified compensation for services rendered.
And just to show you where my squishy parts lie…
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