Only
six hours away from the expiration of SAG’s TV/Theatrical pact, the AMPTP says
they’ve presented SAG with their final offer.
A
statement sent moments
ago by spokesman Jesse Hiestand
reads, “In an effort to put everyone back to work, the AMPTP today presented
SAG our final offer--a comprehensive proposal worth more than $250 million in
additional compensation to SAG members with significant economic gains and
groundbreaking new-media rights for all performers.”
However,
Rosenberg, Allen, and their SAG supporters might not be so thrilled. The statement
describes the $250 million offer as “consistent with the four other labor
agreements already reached this year.” At the same time the AMPTP says their offer
to SAG “addresses issues that SAG identified as being of utmost concern to its
members, including tailoring our new media framework for SAG in areas such as
feature films and significant gains for working actors.”
“Consistent”
yet “tailored?” Can you be a little more specific, please? Sure… Kind of. According
to the “background materials” posted on AMPTP’s site,
the tailored-for-SAG deal doubles the residual rate for permanent downloads, preserves
performers’ clip consent, broadens “definition of ‘covered performers’ in low-budget
New Media productions”--a nod to background players?—and promises actors “full
access to companies’ un-redacted New Media deal memos”—so they know what the
producers are up to ostensibly.
Doubled
residuals rates sound like quite a concession in SAG's favor. But the wise Jonathan
Handel tells me the DGA, WGA, and AFTRA got the same in their new-media deals. Handel also reports the AMPTP has offered to meet with SAG again on Wednesday, but also
states it will not entertain counter-offers.
Will
this absolutely final, take-it-or-leave-it offer be enough for the guild
leaders to call off their “vote no” anti-AFTRA war and sign on the line that is
dotted? I’m guessing they’re hardly doing cartwheels across the courtyard of
5757 Wilshire.
As for whether crew members and working actors should show
up for work tomorrow, the studios’ org. says, “We will continue for now to work
under the terms of the old contract as current productions wind down.” No word
yet from SAG—though I’m sure there will be soon.
Man, this is turning into nail-bitter. Break out the guacamole
and six packs. It’s gonna be a bumpy night.
--Lauren Horwitch
Comments