LOS ANGELES — The SAG-AFTRA strike was suspended in early November after a summer of members picketing outside studio lots.
The proposed agreement between the union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers or the AMPTP addresses many of the issues facing the industry.
Among some of the notable points, it would allow union members to consent to the creation of digital artificial intelligent replicas of themselves, increase wages, and create a bonus based compensation for working on a streaming project. However, not all union members are on board. Some say the threat of artificial intelligence used in the industry seems irredeemable.
“There’s a part of the contract that says if we recognize our nose or lips on one of these synthetic performers, we’ll get paid. But I call that the ‘Mr. Potato Head clause,’” said actor and strike captain Jeffrey Reeves.
Meanwhile, the union has recommended its members vote “yes.”
“We’re the ones who are affected as well. I’ve been scanned before without anybody asking me and for me, that was such an important thing. So I just want everybody to take a deep breath and have a little faith that all these people that have been in the rooms have really looked out for our members,” said SAG-AFTRA LA Chapter President Jodi Long.
The deadline to ratify the contract is Tuesday, and it needs a simple majority to pass.