Television and movie performers have overwhelmingly endorsed a new four-year agreement with studios and streaming platforms, following negotiations that union leaders say secured safeguards against digitally-created actors using artificial intelligence technology.
The approval was anticipated and contract talks proceeded smoothly without threats of work stoppages, but the ratification ensures the entertainment industry won’t face a repeat of the damaging 2023 strikes by actors and writers.
Over 90% of Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists members who participated endorsed the agreement, with approximately 19% of qualified members submitting votes.
Similar to the Writers Guild of America, which ratified their own agreement on April 24, the performers’ contract extends for four years rather than the typical three-year term, adding another level of workplace stability to the industry.
SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin stated in a release that the agreement “delivers 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.”
The agreement stipulates that artificial intelligence performers must provide “significant additional value” beyond what a live actor or digital recording of them could offer before producers can utilize them. Union officials believe this requirement and other clauses will limit AI actor usage.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, representing a group of Hollywood’s leading studios, streaming services and production companies, praised the union for the ratification.
“SAG-AFTRA’s leadership brought a genuine commitment to partnership, and together with the WGA agreement, these deals demonstrate what is possible when the industry works toward practical solutions,” the alliance stated.
Alliance negotiators have been conducting contract discussions with the Directors Guild of America since May 11. These talks mark the first negotiations under new DGA president Christopher Nolan. That agreement expires June 30.
