Talks between studios, striking US actors to restart on Tuesday

Negotiations between media companies and the union representing striking US actors will restart on Tuesday, the two sides said in a joint statement.

Talks broke down last week as the sides clashed over streaming revenue and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The strike has disrupted film and television production, leaving thousands of crew members and actors without work.

Members of Sag-Aftra, which represents 160,000 actors and other media professionals, have been on strike since July. The union is seeking a deal with the Alliance for Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which negotiates on behalf of studios.

"Sag-Aftra  and the AMPTP will meet for bargaining on October 24 at Sag-Aftra Plaza. Several executives from AMPTP member companies will be in attendance," said the joint statement. It gave no further details.

Hollywood's film and TV writers ratified a new, three-year contract earlier this month, ending their 148-day work stoppage.

As the actors' strike hits the 100-day mark on Saturday, performers on the picket line offered a mix of worry over financial difficulties and hopes of getting a good deal out of studios after talks broke down.

On the picket line outside Netflix on Friday, striking actors were grateful for a proposal by A-list Hollywood actors like George Clooney to pitch in $150m (R2.8bn) to the Sag-Aftra union over three years to help end the strike.

“It shows they’re paying attention, and it shows we’re having an impact because A-listers can’t work without the B and C-listers underneath them supporting the rest of the show," said Richard Speight, 54.

"So thrilled that they’re involved, thrilled that they’re emotionally committed and even willing to get financially committed on what’s going on.”

Vincenza Blank, 36, who is an actor and a writer, said the labour solidarity has been impressive but the financial toll was hard, noting: “I’ve had to do things financially to cover expenses I wouldn’t normally have to do.”

Several actors expressed hope the union would reach the kind of deal actors deserve and that helps them cover the high cost of living in a place like Los Angeles.

“The feeling is that we’re going to keep strong, we’re going to keep going," said Kevin Grossman, adding: "I certainly don’t feel like we should stop. If you get this far, you might as well keep going.” 

Reuters