SAG-AFTRA Allows Independent Producers to Continue Production During Strike with Interim Agreements

SAG-AFTRA, the labor union representing actors and performers, has announced that it will be signing “interim agreements” with truly independent producers, allowing them to continue or start production during the ongoing strike. However, these agreements will only apply to producers who are not affiliated with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and who agree to be bound retroactively to the contract terms that will eventually be achieved with the AMPTP once the strike is settled.

One of the first such deals has already been revealed, with the production of the film “BRIDE HARD” being allowed to continue in Savannah. The film is independently financed and produced, with no studio or connection to the AMPTP. This agreement is made possible by the SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement, which allows productions like “BRIDE HARD” to continue despite the strike.

The guild has provided information on its FAQ page for independent producers, addressing their concerns about the strike. Independent producers who are not part of the AMPTP may qualify for an Interim Agreement that allows them to continue working during the strike. However, all work and services under the TV/Theatrical Agreements and related contracts are considered struck work. This includes agreements such as the Ultra Low Budget Project Agreement, the Moderate Low Budget Project Agreement, the Low Budget Theatrical Agreement, and the Special New Media Agreements.

Truly independent, non-AMPTP productions that fall under these agreements may be eligible for an interim agreement that allows them to keep filming. The guild also clarifies that certain low-budget agreements, such as the Short Project Agreement, the Micro Budget Agreement, the Student Film Agreement, and the Independent New Media Agreement, do not require an interim agreement as they are not being struck.

The terms of the Interim Agreement will be posted once approved through SAG-AFTRA governance procedures. Independent producers who wish to apply for an Interim Agreement are advised to contact their assigned business representative. Any discrepancies between the Interim Agreement and a deal with the AMPTP will be resolved by conforming the Interim Agreement to the AMPTP agreement once it is ratified by the membership.

On the first day of the strike, many SAG-AFTRA members are still working under contracts that are not subject to the walkout. Soap opera actors, for example, are covered by the Network Television Code, which is separate from the struck TV/Theatrical/Streaming contract. Variety shows, talk shows, and game shows are also allowed to continue production. To help members navigate the various contracts, the guild has released electronic flyers indicating which contracts they can and cannot work under.

The guild emphasizes the importance of unity among its members during the strike and urges them to withhold work from struck employers. Any work covered by the TV/Theatrical Contracts, including the Producer-SAG-AFTRA Codified Basic Agreement, the SAG-AFTRA Television Agreement, and the Special New Media Agreements, is prohibited. This includes on-camera work such as acting, singing, dancing, stunts, and puppeteering, as well as off-camera work like voice acting, narrating, singing, ADR, and looping.

As negotiations continue between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP, the guild is working to ensure that independent producers can continue their productions while also advocating for fair terms and conditions for its members.SAG-AFTRA Signs Interim Agreements with Independent Producers to Allow Production During Strike

In the midst of the ongoing strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the guild has announced that it will be signing “interim agreements” with truly independent producers. These agreements will allow many independent productions to continue or start filming, as long as they are not affiliated with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and agree to be bound retroactively to the eventual contract terms achieved with the AMPTP once the strike is settled.

One of the first such deals has already been revealed. The independent feature film “BRIDE HARD” has been given clearance by SAG-AFTRA to continue production in Savannah. The film, which is independently financed and produced with no studio or connection to the AMPTP, will be able to proceed thanks to the SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement.

The guild has provided information on its FAQ page for independent producers, addressing their concerns about the strike. Independent producers who are not part of the AMPTP may qualify for an Interim Agreement that allows them to continue working during the strike. However, all work and services under the TV/Theatrical Agreements and related contracts are considered struck work. This includes the guild’s Ultra Low Budget Project Agreement, Moderate Low Budget Project Agreement, Low Budget Theatrical Agreement, and Special New Media Agreements.

Nevertheless, truly independent, non-AMPTP productions that fall under these agreements may be eligible for an interim agreement that permits them to proceed with filming. The guild has also clarified that certain low-budget agreements, such as the Short Project Agreement, Micro Budget Agreement, Student Film Agreement, and Independent New Media Agreement, do not require an interim agreement as they are not being struck.

The terms of the Interim Agreement will be posted once approved through SAG-AFTRA governance procedures, according to the guild.

Independent producers who wish to apply for an Interim Agreement are advised to contact their assigned business representative. Any questions about the Interim Agreement can be directed to [email protected].

Regarding concerns about potential differences between the Interim Agreement and a deal with the AMPTP, SAG-AFTRA states that the Interim Agreement is intended to largely conform to the AMPTP agreement on a going-forward basis once the membership ratifies successor agreements with the AMPTP.

While the strike is ongoing, SAG-AFTRA encourages its members to continue working under contracts that are not subject to the walkout. Soap opera actors, for example, can still work under the Network Television Code, which is separate from the struck TV/Theatrical/Streaming contract. Variety shows, talk shows, and game shows are also allowed for the same reason.

To assist members in navigating the various struck and not-struck contracts, the guild has released electronic flyers indicating which contracts members can and cannot work under.

The flyers outline the contracts that members can work under during the strike, including commercials, sound recordings, music videos, interactive/video game agreements, corporate/educational and non-broadcast programs, station contracts and broadcast news, television and new media animation, dubbing, audiobooks, short projects, micro-budget projects, independent new media agreements, and certain sag-aftra-allows-independent-producers-to-continue-production-during-strike-with-interim-agreements/” title=”SAG-AFTRA Allows Independent Producers to Continue Production During Strike with Interim Agreements”>separately negotiated basic cable agreements.

The Network Television Code, which covers non-dramatic programs such as variety shows, talk shows, game shows, reality/competition shows, special events, award shows, and documentaries, remains unstruck. Performers engaged to work under the Network Television Code are advised to honor their contracts.

On the other hand, all work covered by the TV/Theatrical Contracts, including on-camera and off-camera work, background acting, stand-ins, auditions, rehearsals, and publicity related to struck work or struck companies, is prohibited until a fair deal is reached.

The guild emphasizes the importance of unity among its members and urges them to withhold work from struck employers until a fair agreement is achieved.

As the strike continues, SAG-AFTRA is taking steps to support independent producers and ensure that production can continue for those not affiliated with the AMPTP. The guild remains committed to negotiating fair terms for its members and the industry as a whole.

Which types of television shows are exempt from the strike and allowed to continue production

Not subject to the strike. Soap opera actors, for example, are covered by the Network Television Code, which is separate from the struck TV/Theatrical/Streaming contract. Variety shows, talk shows, and game shows are also allowed to continue production. To help its members navigate the various contracts, the guild has released electronic flyers indicating which contracts they can and cannot work under.

In order to support the strike and uphold unity among its members, SAG-AFTRA urges its members to withhold work from struck employers. Any work covered by the TV/Theatrical Contracts, including the Producer-SAG-AFTRA Codified Basic Agreement, the SAG-AFTRA Television Agreement, and the Special New Media Agreements, is strictly prohibited during the strike. This includes both on-camera and off-camera work, such as acting, singing, dancing, stunts, puppeteering, voice acting, narrating, singing, ADR, and looping.

As negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP continue, the guild is working to ensure that independent producers can continue their productions while also advocating for fair terms and conditions for its members.