SAG-AFTRA‘s interim agreements have taken center stage during a gripping performers’ strike, becoming a hot topic in the entertainment industry. These agreements act as a strategic lifeline, allowing independent projects to roll cameras despite the turbulence in the business while the conflict between artists and studios continues. The tune, however, is not being sung by everybody. The impact of these agreements and any potential ties to major streaming giants have been questioned by prominent people like Viola Davis and Sarah Silverman. Join us as we explore the dramatic world of interim agreements, exploring their origins and the contentious arguments around their necessity. Let’s see what’s taking place behind the scenes.
SAG-AFTRA: Justifying the necessity
In light of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, the negotiating committee underscores the strategic importance of interim agreements. These agreements benefit union members by allowing independent initiatives to move forward, but they also encourage production budgets to prioritize union-covered projects over non-union overseas productions. In this sense, they work to increase the likelihood that these projects will be distributed through streaming platforms that adhere to SAG-AFTRA’s requirements, putting pressure on AMPTP firms due to competition.
During labor conflicts, these agreements play a crucial role in maintaining the entertainment sector’s operations. But as Viola Davis’s decision to leave a movie with an interim arrangement shows, not everyone in the business is in favor of this strategy, which raises more concerns about its long-term repercussions.
SAG-AFTRA: The Controversial Ties
Interim agreements are complicated because of their eligibility requirements, which establish whether or not a project is connected to AMPTP companies. Some people continue to be dubious, despite the negotiating committee’s assertion that the streaming income split in these agreements would make distribution through AMPTP sites impossible. Sarah Silverman is worried that the impact of the strike may be diminished if these independent films finally find a home with AMPTP-affiliated streaming giants like Netflix or Apple. However, SAG-AFTRA argues that thorough review and close attention to each project ensure that only non-AMPTP-linked projects secure interim agreements. The case of Tehran, an Israeli company’s Apple TV+ series, shows the intricate web of legal factors affecting the issuance of such waivers.
Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA granted interim contracts to a number of films, including Mark Wahlberg‘s suspenseful Flight Risk for Hammerstone Studios, A24’s Death of a Unicorn with Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, and Mother Mary with Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel. The Chosen and Bride Hard are two others that were waived.
SAG-AFTRA is firm in its belief that interim agreements are crucial for promoting independent productions and putting pressure on AMPTP while the strike is still in effect. Despite some members’ worries, the union insists that a comprehensive assessment and revenue-sharing procedures will prevent the goals of the strike from being compromised. The implications of these agreements continue to be the topic of intense scrutiny and discussion within the entertainment industry as negotiations move forward and the industry deals with the difficulties of a labor dispute.
