SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP reach tentative agreement

EDITOR'S NOTE: The video attached to the article contains AI-generated footage.

LOS ANGELES (NBC, KYMA) - The Screen Actors Guild-American Federations of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have reached a tentative agreement with major studios Saturday, meaning more than 160,000 members will avoid a repeat of the 2023 strike which lasted four months.

In a joint statement, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and SAG-AFTRA said they will not be sharing the details of the deal until the National Board has reviewed it.

A cinematic showdown between Hollywood A-listers Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise drew millions of views on social media earlier this year and harsh critiques because it was completely AI-generated.

"They're taking the likeness of major performers like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt and they're just able to replicate it in seconds," said Chuck Slavin, a SAG-AFTRA member.

It's a major concern for SAG-AFTRA after actors like Slavin, one he hopes is addressed in the tentative agreement reached Saturday between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP.

"Well, I have to tell you, I'm a little concerned. Overall, I think the future is rapidly changing, and I think that we certainly need to protect image likeness when it comes to AI. We need to ensure that members get royalties and residuals on the work that they're doing. Scamming is a major threat," Slavin expressed.

A tentative deal avoids a repeat of 2023 when SAG-AFTRA's 160,000+ members went on strike for four months, demanding fair pay and protections against AI stealing their livelihood.

It comes just one month after the Writers Guild of America (WGA) reached a four-year deal with the AMPTP.

Historically, these contracts have been three-year deals, but in exchange for adding the fourth year in the WGA's recent agreement, the union received a $321 million infusion into its health fund.

"Looking at how fast technology is advancing, a four-year deal locks us into a disadvantage," Slavin remarked.

In essence, Slavin is worried that AI is developing so quickly.

There might be new challenges to face well before the next contract can start protecting SAG-AFTRA actors.

Slavin's overall take: "If you're giving this over to technology, we should find a way to ensure that our members are making residuals and royalties forever."

In response to the agreement being reached, the Producer's Guild of America released the following statement:

"The Producers Guild of America congratulates SAG-AFTRA on reaching an agreement with the AMPTP. Every person working in our industry is entitled to fair pay and benefits, and [Saturday]'s announcement reflects a shared desire across our industry to secure equitable contracts that reflect the value of our important and creative work."