Source: Pixabay
After starting its strike on Friday (July 14) the Guild is said to be reviewing numerous applications from independent producers and is preparing waivers / interim agreements to allow qualifying productions to start or continue with their shoots.
In the meantime the first few productions back up are proceeding under what sources said were “handshake” agreements with the Guild.
Sources said the last few days have been hectic. According to one, SAG-AFTRA was telling independent producers from the moment the strike started that they could not work until they signed an interim agreement, which ran against earlier guidance informing them that production could continue.
Now that applications are being reviewed one source said, “Things seem to be getting a little better.”
To qualify for a waiver an independent production cannot involve studios, streamers, or any company represented by Alliance Of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
Furthermore, as previously reported here, producers must agree to the terms of the agreement which will materialise once SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP make a deal.
These terms will cover base pay, benefits, and an ultimate residual number. One source said the terms are in line with what SAG-AFTRA negotiators requested in the recent negotiations, which in the case of base pay is an 11% rise.
Variety
has reported that SAG-AFTRA asked for 11%, 4% and 4% minimum rate increases over the course of a new three-year contract, while the studios offered 5%, 4% and 3.5%.Several productions are understood to be active in Europe however
Screen had not confirmed titles at time of writing. Independent producers in Canada want to know if they can get waivers on their productions that involve US talent. who belong to SAG-AFTRA.One production which
Screen has confirmed to have resumed shooting after a day or two on pause is the Rebel Wilson action comedy BrideHard in Savannah, Georgia. Simon West (Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider)directs the story of mercenaries who sabotage a wedding, unaware that the maid of honour is an undercover agent. It is understood a bond is being provided for the production.
One concern that has been raised in the independent sector is the possibility of productions in the US being hampered by picket lines. The Teamsters, the union which represents freight drivers and warehouse workers among others, has instructed its members not to cross a picket line outside a place of work.
SAG-AFTRA is holding a series of informational Zoom calls with actors and agents this week to go through the do’s and dont’s of the strike.
Separately, striking West Coast Guild members will stop picketing at Disney and Warner Bros at 12noon PT this week due to a heat advisory in the Valley area north of Los Angeles where the studios are situated.
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