What the fuck are the studios gonna do, make movies and shows without actors?

Highlights: The negotiating committee of the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, told its members on Saturday that it had received a “Last, Best and Final Offer” from the major entertainment studios as a strike that has brought much of Hollywood to a standstill continued for a 114th day.

“We are reviewing it and considering our response within the context of the critical issues addressed in our proposals,” the negotiating committee said. They did not say when they would respond to the offer, which came after an hourlong video conference call that included top studio executives.

Included in the offer was a wage increase that could be the highest in four decades, according to a person familiar with the offer who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations. The studios also offered the actors a new way to determine residuals for streaming programs based on performance metrics, and protections on artificial intelligence, including consent and compensation requirements. The studios also offered an increase to the pension and health funds.

  • Xhieron@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Say more about this? I’ve seen a few good pieces about acting compensation over the years, but nowhere near as many as I’d have liked.

    How much did you get paid, assuming it’s not hypothetical? What do panel and reality shows pay? I assume residuals are $0, but I know nothing. What’s the real story here?

    • funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      “Guest Star”, unnamed character, end roll credits only, 1 ep, about 5 or 6 lines. Just over a grand before fees, about USD$800 after, not factoring year end taxes. No residuals as I wasn’t a principal and it wasn’t full SAG.

      • stella@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        You got paid $800 for one-night’s work and 5 or 6 lines?

        And still complaining? Lol. Get a grip.

        • funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works
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          1 year ago

          1 nights work on set (i think i got there at 6pm and ended up being wrapped about 8am), but you only work once every couple of months AND you’re not counting auditions, wardrobe/fitting call, driving, So it was actually $800 for about 30 hours work (again before tax). Are you telling me that working for $25/hour gross for an overnight shift once, a few times a year is a big privilege?

          Both me and my wife are actors. I do more stage, she does more commercials. We both have day jobs - mine is corporate and I either kill myself working 100 hour weeks or use my PTO when I get cast, hers is education and so just has to turn down gigs if they clash with her work.

          Not to mention

          • new headshots every year
          • at least one training program every year
          • actors access, backstage
          • above platforms also have separate fees for reels - of which there are dramatic, commercial, voice and specialist reels (eg skinsuit, circus skills, music, vocals, accents, cartoons…)
          • regular calls with agents and managers
          • networking
          • participating in the community (going to the theatre, short film fests, comedy nights, open mics, monologue slams).

          I also sit on the board of three theatre companies (unpaid) and judge a few festivals (paid in free tickets to the shows I’m judging and sometimes a dinner).

          If you’re making less than $25/hour and working less than a few times a year, so that you can call me privileged I’d be incredibly surprised.

          • stella@lemm.ee
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            1 year ago

            I don’t get it. You got paid $25/hour for your work and you’re still complaining, why? Because it’s a gig?

            Why should your gigs pay more when you can do something else useful for society while you’re not getting gigs?

            I’m sorry if you think your list matters at all. All it does is show me the disconnect people like you have with those who work significantly harder than you for significantly less. I think they should get paid more before you do.

            • funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works
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              1 year ago

              Because it’s not very good pay in return for a) what you have to give for it and b) more importantly — what studios get for it.

              • stella@lemm.ee
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                1 year ago

                I disagree with your point A.

                On point B, studios should get less. It’s not that actors should make more.

                This means cheaper products for audiences and more money they can spend on other things (not extra profits for studios.)

                Heck, some of that money could even go towards those who work harder than you for less!

                • detectivesniffles
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                  1 year ago

                  why should these workers not negotiate for better earnings because other workers in other fields work harder for less? it comes across as just silly rationalizations for the crux of the issue which is that you simply don’t respect the work actors put in

                  • stella@lemm.ee
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                    1 year ago

                    that you simply don’t respect the work actors put in

                    Wrong. I don’t respect passing a bunch of money around at the top.

                    If there are people who work significantly harder than you for less money, you don’t need more. The guy I was replying to mentioned how much studios make vs. actors. I replied by saying the solution is for studios to make less, not for actors to make more.

                    Of course, if you’re indoctrinated to believe everyone ‘needs’ more money except billionaires, then nothing I say is going to make sense. You need to learn what the word ‘need’ means first.