American Actors Guild not ready to accept movie studios’ ‘final’ offer to end actors’ strike

Movie studios and the Actors Guild could be close to agreeing on an end to the actors’ strike - if the studios can reconsider their stance on AI.

SAG-AFTRA members and supporters picket outside Paramount Studios. Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP

The actors’ strike could be coming to a close if the American Screen Actors guild accepts the “Last, Best & Final” offer from major film studios – but the two sides have yet to reach an agreement on the use of AI.

The Hollywood Reporter (THR) is saying the actors’ guild cannot agree to the offer when it still contains a clause that would allow entertainment companies to re-use AI scans of actors without their consent, including after their death.

Actors within the guild have voiced scepticism over the phrasing of the proposal. Actor Elijah Wood responded to the claim of a “final” offer on Sunday, saying “we’ll be the judge of that”.

“Last, Best, and Final Offer”? This isn’t the first time and we’ll be the judge of that. @sagaftra#SagAftraStronghttps://t.co/NYbeZhPx3m

— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) November 5, 2023

The American Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) have formally responded to the latest counter-proposal from The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) today, after receiving the offer on Sunday.

“There are several essential items on which we still do not have an agreement, including AI,” SAG-AFTRA told its followers on social media. “We will keep you informed as events unfold.”

Dear #SagAftraMembers:

This morning our negotiators formally responded to the AMPTP’s “Last, Best & Final” offer.

Please know every member of our TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee is determined to secure the right deal and thereby bring this strike to an end responsibly. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/1PwqaoNXAJ

— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) November 6, 2023

Sources told THR the current proposal has a clause that requires payment from studios and streaming services to scan the likeness of performers, but not to reuse those scans.

Under this agreement, a studio could use the scanned likeness of a dead performer in film and television without the consent of their estate.

Elijah Wood hit back at the ‘final’ offer.

“We could not allow that language to stand,” a union source told THR. “All the higher-paid performers who think this is a minimum wage strike, they must know they are in this fight. They have to realise that this is about protecting them … they’d be f**ked if we took this deal with that [language] in there.”

Members and supporters of SAG-AFTRA and WGA walk the picket line at Paramount Studios. Photo: JC Olivera/Getty Images

The term “last, best and final” is an indicator that the studios are not willing to continue major contract negotiations following this proposal.

While the AMPTP may claim their offer is final, the strike will not end until SAG-AFTRA and its members agree to the terms being offered by studios.

If they do not agree, the strike will continue until the AMPTP can present a better deal. The studios have no control over the guild’s response.

This is the second of two major Hollywood strikes that took place in 2023, with the Writers Guild of America strike resolved on September 27. The AMPTP also used the terms “last, best and final offer” in their final proposal to the Writers Guild.

Actors and entertainment workers affected by the strikes have been able to afford essentials over the past several months through charitable foundations such as the Entertainment Community Fund, the Motion Picture & Television Fund, and the SAG-AGTRA Foundation, which has received several millions of dollars in donations from actors such as Meryl Streep, Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman.