SAG-AFTRA and studios make headway in AI innovation; more talks set for later on Tuesday

Following the AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA's significant progress in resolving the AI issue late last night, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and AMPTP President Carol Lombardini are slated to have a discussion this afternoon. A source within the guild stated, 

"We are on the verge of a breakthrough," emphasizing that while the deal isn't finalized yet, they've made substantial headway, including robust protection measures concerning AI – a crucial point that the guild has advocated for, even before their strike began in mid-July.

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A Shift in Negotiations:

After SAG-AFTRA responded to the AMPTP's supposed "last, best, and final offer" on November 6, the parties hopped on a Zoom call yesterday. This meeting, which went on late into the night, included big shots like Disney's Bob Iger, Warner Bros Discovery's David Zaslav, Netflix's Ted Sarandos, and NBCUniversal's Donna Langley. Interestingly, this time around, the studio heads seemed willing to tweak their recent AI proposal, offering more tailored protections and compensation for performers, a change from their previous stance.

"The key lies with Duncan and Carol as they work on fine-tuning the AI terms," an insider revealed. Additionally, an agreement on minimum rates is under discussion. Originally, SAG-AFTRA sought an 11% increase, while the studios initially proposed 7%, which is more favorable than what the WGA secured in their strike-ending agreement in September. 

Subsequently, the guild adjusted its request to approximately 9%, and it appears that both parties are converging on a figure around 8%, according to our sources.

Hollywood's Production Revival:

With the industry holding its breath in anticipation, Hollywood is gearing up to kickstart movie and TV series production worldwide to get the 2024 feature slate and TV schedule back on course.

Despite some grumbles from studio executives following the guild's response to the studio's "last, best, and final offer," it appears that both parties were more aligned than expected as they delved into contract details throughout the night.

Nevertheless, the final resolution on AI rights and streaming revenue residuals remains to be seen as negotiations continue. However, SAG-AFTRA members, along with their supporters, took to the streets in New York City and Los Angeles today, making their voices heard.