Amid an ongoing performers’ strike and growing concerns voiced by prominent members, SAG-AFTRA is standing behind its decision to grant interim agreements to independent productions.
These pacts, including projects such as A24’s ‘Death of a Unicorn’ and ‘Mother Mary,’ and Hammerstone Studios’ ‘Flight Risk,’ allow films and TV shows to proceed despite the strike.
In a recent message to its members, the union’s TV/theatrical negotiating committee emphasized that these interim agreements are a “vital part of our strategic approach” during the 2023 negotiations and strike. Most of the projects granted these agreements are entirely independent of the companies comprising the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), currently embroiled in unresolved negotiations with the union, leading to the strike. The group also clarified that certain exceptions are made for projects with “extraordinary circumstances mandated by legal considerations, such as Tehran.”
The terms and conditions of these interim agreements mirror those sought by SAG-AFTRA in its ongoing TV/theatrical contract negotiations with the AMPTP. By granting these agreements, the union aims to demonstrate that the wage increases and other proposed terms are reasonable and appropriate, despite being rejected by the AMPTP thus far. It was also clarified that if SAG-AFTRA reaches a deal with significant entertainment companies before projects with interim agreements are distributed, the terms and conditions of these agreements will align with the final terms of the eventual contract with the AMPTP.
Moreover, the negotiating committee argues that these interim agreements are essential as they encourage production budgets towards union-covered projects that employ union members rather than supporting non-union foreign productions. The committee thus urges independent producers to apply for these agreements and encourages SAG-AFTRA members to participate in projects that have obtained an Interim Agreement.
These decisions have faced some criticism within the industry. Recently, Viola Davis announced her withdrawal from the MRC film G20, set to be distributed by Amazon. Though SAG-AFTRA had granted an interim agreement for the film, Davis stated that she believed it inappropriate for the production to move forward during the strike.
Furthermore, comedian Sarah Silverman raised concerns about the potential for these independent projects to be sold to companies like Netflix or Apple, whose production subsidiaries are part of the AMPTP. In response, the negotiating committee assured that the terms of the interim agreements, particularly the streaming revenue share, would make distribution of these projects through AMPTP platforms unfeasible until an industrywide deal is reached.
SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee also addressed concerns that these agreements may prolong the strike. They explained that, on the contrary, the contracts would exert “competitive pressure” on AMPTP companies.
Among the projects that have been granted interim agreements so far are A24’s ‘Death of a Unicorn’ starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, ‘Mother Mary’ featuring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel, and Hammerstone Studios’ ‘Flight Risk’ starring Mark Wahlberg. The television series ‘The Chosen from Out of Order Studios and ‘Bride Hard’ from Balcony 9 Productions have also received waivers.
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