The upcoming vote on a new contract for Hollywood actors is sure to be closely contested, with many actors criticizing some of the conditions within the deal. The new three-year contract, negotiated by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), will govern the wages, terms, and conditions of work for motion picture and television actors and performers.
Hollywood actors are divided on the proposed new contract, with some praising it for offering wider use of union talent and providing greater safe working conditions. However, other actors oppose the agreement due to a number of highly contested provisions.
Perhaps the most vocal detractors of the contract regard the “pay-as-you-go” residual payments that will be reduced for film content available online. Actors are also concerned about lose their entitlement to a pension and health insurance benefits if they appear in movies that earn less than one million dollars in the US. Additionally, the content of language related to the payment of secondary voice activities has also been criticised as inadequate.
Both sides of the debate recognise that the upcoming vote is likely to be close.
Outside of the specifics of the new agreement, the possible adoption of the contract marks an important moment for Hollywood and beyond. In an era of expanding and increasingly profitable digital media platforms, the final outcome of the vote could have significant implications for traditional media models, union longevity, and job security for actors.
Some argue that the contract could prove beneficial for aspiring actors, producers, and other industry personnel, providing organizational structure as digital media continues to grow and expand. Others fear that a lack of industry-wide uniformity could lead to an unpredictable and uncharted market.
When the results of the upcoming contract vote are eventually revealed, both sides of the argument will be watching with bated breath. Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that Hollywood and all those involved have a lot to gain and a lot to lose from the outcome.
