The SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP reached a groundbreaking contract after a 118-day strike, bringing significant improvements for actors, including AI protections.
SAG-AFTRA Contract | Key Points
- After a 118-day strike, SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP agreed on a new contract that marks a significant shift in the industry.
- The Union initially sought a veto on certain uses of artificial intelligence (AI) but instead secured notice and consent requirements in their deal with studios.
- SAG-AFTRA engaged in extensive negotiations regarding AI protections in a tentative deal with studios.
- The deal defines generative artificial intelligence and includes provisions related to notice, consent, and compensation for digital replicas of actors and synthetic performers created by AI tools.
- Film and TV producers require consent from actors to use their digital replicas.
- Actors receive compensation at their usual rate for the work performed by digital replicas.
- Studios can negotiate directly with performers for approval of AI usage, potentially bypassing union requirements.
- The agreement distinguishes between employment-based digital replicas (EBDR) created with a performer’s participation and independently created replicas.
- For EBDR, actors are paid as if they worked the full number of days, discouraging cost-savings through AI.
- The deal may affect “journeymen” actors more than high earners.
- Concerns exist about studios using actors’ actions and expressions as training data for synthetic performers.
- The agreement allows actors’ performances to be used as training data, with discussions on remuneration.
- The deal reflects a compromise, acknowledging studios’ interest in AI while aiming to protect actors.
- Despite the success of the negotiations, there is lingering tension, with some artists expressing frustration over the perceived greed of studios.
- Some actors feel the contract is a significant achievement, while others believe it falls short in certain areas.
This contract represents a substantial milestone in the entertainment industry, with actors gaining improved working conditions and protections against emerging technologies.
Sources
- Actors’ AI Protections: What’s In SAG-AFTRA’s Deal, and Where to Worry – The Hollywood Reporter
- Full SAG-AFTRA Deal Summary Released: Read It Here – Deadline
- The SAG-AFTRA strike is over. Here are 6 things actors got in the new contract. – CBS News
- SAG-AFTRA’s new deal: What’s in it and what experts say | CNBC
- What the New SAG-AFTRA Agreement Means for Makeup and Hairstyling Equity on Set | Allure