Title: SAG-AFTRA Signs Interim Agreements with Independent Producers During Strike
Date: [Insert Date]
SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) is making progress in allowing independent producers to continue or start production during the ongoing strike. The union is offering “interim agreements” to independent producers who are not affiliated with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), as long as they agree to be bound retroactively to the terms negotiated with AMPTP once the strike is settled.
Recently, the first such agreement was revealed. “Bride Hard,” an independently financed and produced feature film with no studio or AMPTP connection, has been given clearance to continue production in Savannah, thanks to the SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement. This agreement provides a lifeline for many independent productions affected by the strike, allowing them to keep filming.
The guild has provided detailed information for independent producers on its FAQ page. According to SAG-AFTRA, independently produced content that falls under the scope of the strike order may qualify for an Interim Agreement, which enables productions to continue working during the strike. Some of the agreements covered by the strike include the Ultra Low Budget Project Agreement, the Moderate Low Budget Project Agreement, the Low Budget Theatrical Agreement, and the Special New Media Agreements. However, if a production is truly independent and not affiliated with AMPTP, it may be eligible for an interim agreement that allows it to proceed.
For productions operating under the guild’s lowest budget agreements such as the Short Project Agreement, Micro Budget Agreement, Student Film Agreement, and Independent New Media Agreement, no interim agreement is required as they are not affected by the strike.
The terms of the Interim Agreement will be posted once approved by SAG-AFTRA governance procedures. To apply for an Interim Agreement, independent producers should contact their assigned business representative, and any inquiries or questions about the agreement can be directed to [email protected].
SAG-AFTRA encourages its members to continue working under contracts that are not subject to the strike. Soap opera actors, for example, can continue working under the Network Television Code, which is separate from the contracts being struck. Variety shows, talk shows, and game shows are also allowed to proceed under different agreements.
To help members navigate which contracts they can and cannot work under, the guild has released electronic flyers demonstrating the categories of work that are still permitted during the strike. Members are urged to honor their contracts and be mindful of the work they can engage in during this time.
It remains vital for SAG-AFTRA members to stand in unity and withhold work from struck employers, as their collective power remains the driving force behind achieving a fair deal. The guild emphasizes that work covered by the TV/Theatrical Contracts, including on-camera and off-camera work, auditions, rehearsals, and publicity related to struck work or struck companies, should be avoided until a satisfactory agreement is reached.
As negotiations continue between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP, the interim agreements serve as a temporary resolution for independent producers, offering them the opportunity to proceed with their projects until a comprehensive settlement is achieved.