The Oscars Race Amidst SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreements: A Shift in Dynamics.
Recently, the path to the Oscars has taken an unexpected turn. Following the Writers Guild of America’s successful negotiations with studios earlier this month, the industry was surprised when the AMPTP decided to halt talks with SAG-AFTRA, which has been on strike since July.
While the end of this impasse remains uncertain, one trend is becoming evident: Independent film productions may hold a unique advantage in the race for the Oscars. This advantage stems from the ability of independent film writers and actors to promote their projects through interim agreements actively.
To secure an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA, a producer must operate independently from companies associated with the AMPTP and agree to the terms proposed by the guild during negotiations. Over a hundred such interim agreements have been granted thus far. Studios not aligned with the AMPTP, including A24, Lionsgate, and Neon, are eligible, as are films financed independently.
In a landscape where the best picture category boasts formidable contenders from major studios, such as Apple’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Netflix’s “Maestro,” Searchlight Pictures’ “Poor Things,” Warner Bros.’ “Barbie,” and Universal’s “Oppenheimer,” other production houses are striving to secure one of the remaining five slots.
An awards strategist notes, “While many are in a state of silence, it would be unwise not to make as much noise as possible. I’m curious to see how competitive it will get once we resume, as some will feel that others had a head start.”
Simultaneously, a publicity consultant adds, “However, it’s important to note that an interim agreement doesn’t automatically mean an actor will actively campaign for their movie. The higher the actor’s profile, the more scrutiny they might face in pursuing an Oscar nomination.”
A24 has obtained interim agreements for all of its fall releases, notably their three top awards contenders: Celine Song’s “Past Lives,” Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest,” and Sean Durkin’s “The Iron Claw.” The indie studio is also steering Nicolas Cage-starrer horror-comedy “Dream Scenario.”
Notably, Sandra Hüller, star of “The Zone of Interest,” also features in “Anatomy of a Fall,” distributed by Neon. While it wasn’t selected as France’s international submission, the studio is committed to a comprehensive awards campaign.
Neon is also championing Hollywood veteran Michael Mann and his biopic “Ferrari,” featuring Academy favorites Adam Driver and Penélope Cruz. Given Mann’s illustrious career, the director Branch might be inclined to extend an invitation after a considerable hiatus, considering he only has one Oscar nomination for directing (“The Insider,” 1999).
Additionally, Neon has acquired “Origin,” a project from writer-director Ava DuVernay, though an interim agreement is still pending. With media outlets gaining access to the remarkable work of Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and DuVernay, both the actress and director are poised to make significant strides in the annals of cinema history. Only one Black woman has won the lead actress category (Halle Berry for “Monster’s Ball” in 2001), and no Black woman has yet been nominated for directing.
While Lionsgate is not affiliated with the AMPTP, there is no official record confirming its films’ applications for agreements. “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,” directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, has garnered critical acclaim, but its stars are unlikely to draw attention to the Judy Blume adaptation.
In 2020, as the pandemic brought the global economy to a standstill, we witnessed what may be considered one of the most “pure” Oscar lineups in recent memory. Talent and studios could not sway tastemakers or inundate the public with advertisements. Instead, industry voters found themselves at home, compelled to watch the available films. This might explain why the nominations reflected a more balanced range of preferences among established works (“Mank”), newer and diverse creations (“Judas and the Black Messiah”), and international contributions (“The Father”).
If the strike persists without stars gracing the circuit, voters may again be left to rely on their judgments. In this case, it may not be such a detriment after all.
