Actors' union says no agreement on studios' 'final' offer

LOS ANGELES

Negotiators for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) have been mulling the proposal since Saturday, as studios seek to halt a damaging stoppage that has brought TV and movie production to a standstill for four months.

In a statement to members posted on social media, the committee said they were determined to bring the 116-day strike to an end "responsibly," but had not yet found common ground with the body representing Disney, Netflix, Warner, Universal, Paramount and Sony.

"There are several essential items on which we still do not have an agreement, including Artificial Intelligence" the statement said. "We will keep you informed as events unfold."

Pressure has been rapidly mounting for a deal. Unemployed actors have increasingly been struggling to make ends meet, and studios already face gaping holes in their release schedules for next year and beyond.

Talks to reach a deal in recent days were attended by studio CEOs, underlining the urgency to end the crisis.

SAG-AFTRA represents some 160,000 performers. Actors below Hollywood's upper echelons say it has become almost impossible to earn a decent living, as long-standing pay structures have failed to keep pace with inflation and industry changes.

In particular, the growth of streaming platforms, who typically order fewer episodes per series, and pay minimal "residuals" when a hit show gets rewatched, has severely eroded their incomes.

But the use of Artificial Intelligence, particularly the notion that an actor's likeness could be used long after they have filmed a role, has been a sticking point.

Studios, who have already delayed the release of major films such as "Dune: Part Two" and the next "Mission: Impossible" installment, are eager to restart productions on hit shows like "Stranger Things" in time for next year.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos told AFP negotiations were still going on.

"We're at the table and we're working really hard to get it done," he said.

"I feel like we're really close. But you know, these are complicated deals and we're navigating tricky waters. Our goal is we want to get folks back to work."