SAG Gets the Indie Spirit

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=0c730c03-6c12-4977-9769-40f7a7562b01

By Josh Grossberg
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:31:40 AM PDT

Actors are used to working for scale on indies. Now they're just glad they'll be working.

The Screen Actors Guild sealed an interim deal with independent film producers on Wednesday that ensures its members will be able to finish some upcoming features even if the union authorizes a walkout.

According to Daily Variety, the pact doesn't apply to major Hollywood studios represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, with whom the guild launched contract talks on Tuesday. Instead, the new deal is with those indie producers employed at the Film Department, which is not an AMPTP signatory.

The "guaranteed completion contracts" means thesps will be allowed to fulfill the terms of their employment even if the Screen Actors Guild calls for an industry-wide strike when its contract with the studios expires on June 30.

Such a work stoppage, like the one authorized by the Writers Guild of America earlier this year, could paralyze film and television production and cost Tinseltown untold millions.

SAG hopes the interim accord will pressure the majors, giving actors a chance to draw an income outside the studio system. It also suggests the guild may be preparing to dig in for the long haul until its demands are met.

FULL story at link.