Those unions won key victories, including jurisdiction over programs produced for distribution online, and new and better compensation for shows and movies streamed or downloaded online.
SAG signs deal with independent film company
LOS ANGELES (AP) - April 17, 2008 The deal with The Film Department guarantees completion of nine
movies that haven't started filming yet. One of them, a romantic
comedy called "The Rebound," stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and is
scheduled to begin production Monday in New York City.
"Hopefully, they'll work things out and there won't be a
strike, but if there is we'll be able to stay in business," Mark
Gill, The Film Department's chief executive officer, told The
Associated Press on Thursday.
The union, which began contract talks with the Alliance of
Motion Picture and Television Artists on Tuesday, declined to
discuss the deal.
"We're in negotiations. We're focused on that. We have no
further comment," said SAG spokeswoman Pamela Greenwalt.
The trade paper Daily Variety said SAG was only offering such
deals to independent feature producers.
"What's thrilling is SAG is willing to keep their members
working and allow us to keep making movies and not get caught in a
dispute with the big guys," Gill told the AP. "We're the mice
running between the elephants' feet and it's good not to get
stepped on."
Earlier this year, the Writers Guild of America signed several
similar deals with independent producers during its three-month
strike against the major studios.
Contract negotiations between SAG and the producers group are
scheduled to run through April 26. The producers then start talks
with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists on
April 28.
It is unclear whether SAG's interim deal with The Film Company
will exert any real pressure against the studios. Variety said
AMPTP members have been holding off starting projects until after a
new deal is set with the guild.
SAG's contract with the studios expires June 30.
Top SAG officials have indicated they're intent on negotiating a
contract that betters the recent deals reached by the writers and
directors guilds.