LOS ANGELES – On Thursday, television and movie actors made a big decision—they voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new four-year contract with studios and streaming services. This contract comes just a month after their union leaders worked hard to negotiate terms that include protections against the use of synthetic actors created by artificial intelligence (AI).
The vote was not a surprise. There were no dramatic strikes or walkouts during the negotiations, which were smooth and straightforward. This ratification means that the entertainment industry can avoid the kind of disruptions that happened during the 2023 actor and writer strikes.
More than 90% of the members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) approved the new agreement. Interestingly, about 19% of eligible voters participated in the voting process.
Similar to the Writers Guild of America, whose members approved their own contract earlier this year, the actors’ new deal lasts four years instead of the usual three. This longer contract is expected to provide greater stability for those working in the entertainment industry.
Sean Astin, an actor and the president of SAG-AFTRA, expressed his satisfaction with the contract. He stated that it brings “meaningful gains in compensation, strengthens protections around artificial intelligence and digital identity, reinforces the long-term security of members’ benefit plans and recognizes the realities of how performers work today.”
One important aspect of this contract is that it specifies that AI-generated performers must provide “significant additional value” over live actors or digital captures of them. This means that studios will have to justify their use of AI in a way that keeps it minimal, ensuring that human actors remain at the forefront of the industry.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which negotiates on behalf of major Hollywood studios and streaming services, congratulated SAG-AFTRA on the successful ratification. They noted that the leadership of SAG-AFTRA showed a true commitment to partnership, and this agreement, along with the one from the Writers Guild, highlights what can be achieved when the industry collaborates for practical solutions.
Meanwhile, the AMPTP is currently in talks with the Directors Guild of America (DGA), with negotiations led by new DGA president Christopher Nolan. Their contract is set to expire on June 30 of this year.
