SAG-AFTRA & studios' talks in critical phase with hopeful outlook

On Sunday, SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP maintained sporadic communication as they neared the potential resolution of the 108-day strike. A source from the guild expressed optimism, saying, "There is a feeling of hope.

" A senior studio source added, "It appears we are approaching the conclusion." Both parties are confident that a deal may be within reach in the coming days, yet they also remain cautious, acknowledging the ongoing fluidity of the situation.

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Nearing Resolution of 108-Day Strike

Significant progress has been made in narrowing the divide between SAG-AFTRA and the studios, particularly in the realm of success-based compensation for streaming shows and their casts. Throughout the day, negotiation teams from both sides, including SAG-AFTRA Chief Negotiator and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and AMPTP President Carol Lombardini, engaged in virtual discussions.

Notably, the influential quartet of studio CEOs—Disney's Bob Iger, Netflix's Ted Sarandos, Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav, and NBCUniversal's Donna Langley—remained conspicuously absent from today's Zoom calls, much like the previous day.

Talks Resumed After 12-Day Suspension

Talks resumed on October 24 after a 12-day pause by the studios. They proposed a 7% increase in minimum rates and bonuses tied to streaming success, inspired by the WGA deal. SAG-AFTRA, in a recent counteroffer, adjusted their demand from an 11% to a 9% raise. This change followed SAG-AFTRA's earlier request for a 57 cents per subscriber annual charge, which the studios found excessive and labeled a "levy on subscribers."

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As three major films, including "Mission Impossible 8," Disney's "Snow White," and Pixar's "Elio," with a combined global box office value of $1.5 billion, have been removed from the 2024 schedule, studios are feeling the pressure to kickstart global feature and TV production. 

This concern persists despite recently finalizing a contract with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and having screenwriters already engaged in their work.

On Thursday night, notable performers such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jon Hamm, Sarah Paulson, Chelsea Handler, and Christian Slater expressed their commitment to continuing picketing until a fair deal is reached with the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee.