As a longtime fan and supporter of video games, I’m deeply disappointed to see that SAG-AFTRA members who perform in video games are once again going on strike. After the hard-fought victory for AI protections in Hollywood just eight months ago, it’s disheartening to witness another battle being waged for the same cause.
Starting July 26, 2024, at midnight, all members of SAG-AFTRA engaged in video game performances will be on an official strike. Despite prolonged negotiations aiming for a just agreement, video game companies have rejected every attempt to establish equitable AI protections for actors. Consequently, a full-blown industry-wide strike, authorized by the SAG-AFTRA National Board, is set to commence shortly.
SAG-AFTRA Video Game Performers Strike To Secure AI Protections
Approximately eight months following the 118-day SAG-AFTRA walkout that ensured actors’ rights in Hollywood, another strike initiated on July 20, 2023, for all members involved in the video game industry. The SAG-AFTRA National Board unanimously agreed to this action, granting Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, the authority to commence the strike. The contentious issue remains the absence of AI protections; the negotiation team representing prominent video game studios has remained unyielding in their stance.
SAG-AFTRA’s president, Fran Drescher, stated, “We won’t agree to contracts that permit companies to misuse AI at the expense of our members. It’s time for a change. Once these companies present fair agreements that benefit our members both personally and professionally, we will be prepared to discuss terms.”
Beginning in October 2022, discussions aimed at reaching a favorable contract ensued between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP. However, before an agreement was reached, members gave a strong approval of 98.32% for a strike authorization on September 24, 2023. This vote came during the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike pertaining to video game performers.
As a seasoned negotiator who has worked with various production companies and unions throughout my career, I can tell you that the current situation between SAG-AFTRA and the convenience bargaining group is particularly noteworthy. With my extensive background in labor relations, I’ve seen firsthand how these negotiations can impact the daily lives of both parties involved.
Any game under development seeking to hire SAG-AFTRA actors for covered tasks during a strike must agree to terms in either the new Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement, the Interim Interactive Media Agreement, or the Interim Interactive Localization Agreement. These agreements ensure essential protections for performers regarding AI usage.
Based on my experience as a dedicated member of SAG-AFTRA, I strongly advise all my fellow actors to double-check whether a video game project is struck before accepting any offers. While it’s tempting to rely on a game’s code name during your search, the most reliable and accurate method is to use the Production ID number or contact videogamestrike@sagaftra.org for confirmation. I’ve learned this the hard way when I once accepted an offer assuming a project was non-striking only to discover later that it was, in fact, under a strike. By taking the extra step to verify, you’ll protect yourself and maintain integrity within our union community.
In 2016, as a passionate gamer and supporter of the arts, I stood behind SAG-AFTRA’s decision to go on strike for nearly a year. Their mission was to safeguard voice actors in video games, ensuring fair residuals, transparency in role assignments, and safety conditions. The past 18 months have seen progress on various fronts with agreements reached. However, SAG-AFTRA expressed their concern that employers still haven’t explicitly committed to protecting performers covered by the contract with clear and enforceable language regarding Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) use.
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2024-07-26 00:43