While we wait for a resolution of the current contract ‘negotiations’ between SAG and the AMPTP, a few show biz reports give a look under the tent at why SAG is so concerned about issues like clip usage and residuals from new media. As an example, look at the deal announced this week between YouTube [...]

July 16, 2008 Dear Screen Actors Guild Member: Small contingents of the negotiating committees for Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers met for two hours today at AMPTP headquarters in Sherman Oaks. Both parties agreed to keep the contents of today’s meeting confidential. We will continue to update you [...]

Reading all the entertainment coverage of the stalemate between SAG and the AMPTP, it occurred to me that it might be helpful to have handy the definitions for certain terms recur frequently in said coverage. So, for what it’s worth, here are some terms that you’ll see often if you follow this saga: Residuals – [...]

The failure of SAGs strategy of derailing the agreement betweent AFTRA and the AMPTP was verified tonight. According to Integrity Voting Systems in Everett, Wash, AFTRA members ratified the agreement with a 62% ‘yes’ vote. That of course means that 38% of the voting membership was opposed to the deal. The total number of votes [...]

If there were any doubt that SAG leadership would do anything to avoid asking SAG membership for a strike authorization vote, just look at the course the SAG and AMPTP negotiations are taking. A story in Saturday’s Daily Variety online lays out the scenario: In a move that will unnerve Hollywood, the longtime feud between [...]

The latest email blast to SAG members from Alan Rosenberg, SAG President: June 8, 2008 Dear Members, Screen Actors Guild’s negotiating committee continued its bargaining with the AMPTP this past week. We continue to negotiate for a new contract that will be fair for actors and we are not done yet as there are still [...]

SAG recently sent a signatory film production list for Texas and Louisiana to the membership. Texas has 13 productions on the list: 7 ultra low budget contracts, 3 low budget contracts, 1 TV series and 2 projects working under the standard theatrical agreement. Louisiana has 7 projects on the list: 3 low budget contracts, 0 [...]

The gloves have come off in the contract negotiations between the majors and Screen Actors Guild. With the SAG talks going nowhere fast, the majors have gone on the offensive by criticizing the guild’s demands as unreasonable and unrealistic. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers made the assertion at midday Wednesday in a [...]

Working SAG in a right to work state is not an easy task. SAG actors compete with not only all the other SAG members but also the substantial pool of experienced, non-SAG actors. Many calling themsleves “SAG Eligible”. Why even stay in SAG, then unless you’re planning on leaving the regional market for a market [...]