Independent Films Unblocked: SAG-AFTRA Waivers Would Let Some Productions Work Through A Strike

APPOINTMENTSArtist services and rights management company Interstellar has announced the appointment of Vickie Nauman to its advisory board. “Interstellar is a business that has impressed me from the off, in terms of the calibre of the team, its commitment to its clients and, importantly, the passion they have for music and its creators”, she says. “The company sits right at the intersection of music and innovation, so I hope that it will benefit from my experience as it enters its next phase of growth”.————————————————–RELEASESNZCA Lines will release new EP ‘Universal Heartbreak’ on 22 Sep.

Hollywood is at a crossroads and the 160,000 actors that make up SAG-AFTRA are seemingly in the driver’s seat.

SAG-AFTRA’s negotiations for a new contract are making headway “in some areas” but not in others, Fran Drescher, the guild’s president, said in an interview today on ABC’s Good Morning America.  

be joining Hollywood writers on the picket lines.The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), which represent the majority of actors in film and television, are in negotiations with major Hollywood studios, who are being represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), for a new contract agreement after the current deal expires June 30 at midnight Pacific Time.Among the actors' sticking points for a new agreement are improved compensation and benefits, residuals that reflect the value of their contributions amid the expansion of streaming services, regulated use of artificial intelligence and the issue of self-taped auditions.On June 24, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and national executive director/chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland updated members of the union on ongoing talks with studios. Drescher shared in a video message that negotiations have been «extremely productive» and that «we're going to achieve a seminal deal.»A few days later, more than 300 actors — including Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence — signed a letter urging leaders not to compromise and writing «SAG-AFTRA members may be ready to make sacrifices that leadership is not.»«Anyone right now is trying to guess what could happen,» Marc Malkin, 's senior culture & events editor, told ET.

EXCLUSIVE: After it emerged that over 300 actors had written to SAG-AFTRA leadership that they are “prepared to strike” if the guild doesn’t “get all the way there” during talks with the studios, the number of actors signing the letter has more than tripled overnight.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer A group of more than 400 actors — including Oscar winners Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Rami Malek — are urging SAG-AFTRA leaders to take a harder line as contract talks reach a critical point. The members sent an internal letter Tuesday to the union’s negotiating committee and the leadership. They emphasized that “we are prepared to strike if it comes to that.” “And we are concerned by the idea that SAG-AFTRA members may be ready to make sacrifices that leadership is not,” they continued. The contract expires on Friday, and the leadership has the power to call a strike as soon as Saturday if no agreement is reached.

SAG-AFTRA leaders painted a sunny picture of their ongoing negotiations in a video released over the weekend, saying the talks have been “extremely productive” and promising to reach a “seminal deal.” But according to multiple sources with knowledge of the dynamic in the negotiating room, the sides remain far apart on a range of key issues. With just a few days left before SAG-AFTRA’s current contract expires on Friday, some are privately predicting that talks will be extended beyond the June 30 deadline, though such a move has not formally been broached in the negotiating room with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

interview this past spring, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland told TheWrap that SAG-AFTRA’s leaders believe it could benefit actors if properly regulated so that performances and likenesses can’t be used without proper compensation and consent.If talks aren’t successful, SAG-AFTRA could end up joining WGA in a strike; members voted to authorize a strike ahead of contract talks earlier this month by an overwhelming 97%. If that happens, studios will face a strike by two separate guilds at once for the first time since 1960, when a double strike held by writers and actors led to the establishment of residuals for TV reruns.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer With less than a week to go before their contract expires, the leaders of SAG-AFTRA are striking an optimistic note about the progress of negotiations. In a video sent to members on Saturday, union president Fran Drescher and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland say they hope to be able to achieve a deal with the studios. If they do, that would avert a “double strike,” in which performers would join the Writers Guild of America on picket lines outside the major studios. “I just want to assure you that we are having an extremely productive negotiations that are laser-focused on all of the crucial issues you told us are most important to you,” Drescher said. “We’re standing strong and we’re going to achieve a seminal deal.”

SAG-AFTRA leaders told their members today that the guild’s ongoing contract negotiations have been “extremely productive” and that they “remain optimistic” that a fair deal can be reached with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

Kate Middleton just missed the London rain as she made a stylish appearance at the National Portrait Gallery.The Princess of Wales, 41, never puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion, and she didn't disappoint during her latest appearance. Kate was a vision in white, as she wore a chic boucle jacket with black trims and buttons, whilst her pleated midi-skirt swayed around her as she walked.

, the shoe that accompanied her everywhere from Centre Court at to the Caribbean. But those versatile courts are far from the only secret wardrobe weapon at the royal's disposal.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis dressed in matching outfits with a hidden message at Trooping the Colour.The Wales family co-ordinated their clothing with red and white motifs, in reference to the Welsh flag. George, nine, and Louis, five, wore matching navy suits and red ties while Charlotte, eight, picked a white dress with an adorable red trim and neck scarf. The royal siblings travelled in a horse drawn carriage with Queen Camilla, who is Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, and their mum, the Princess of Wales, who is Colonel of the Irish Guards.

Kate Middleton has paid tribute to Princess Diana with her choice of accessories at Trooping the Colour. The Princess of Wales wore dazzling sapphire earrings that once belonged to her late mother-in-law.The 41-year-old wowed in a striking green outfit, with a dress designed by Andrew Gn and a matching hat by Philip Treacy. It is believed that the Princess chose the green outfit to pay homage to her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards.

Lady Gaga has revealed that the concert film for her Chromatica Ball tour is in the process of being edited. The award-winning US singer and actress said she “could not wait” for fans to experience the film. On Friday Gaga shared a lengthy insight into her “artistic process” and her recent projects on Instagram.

Maya Jama has already showcased some incredible looks during her on-screen duties as Love Island host, but her off-screen fashion game is equally impressive. At The National Gallery Summer Party in London last night, Maya turned heads as a lady in red. She exuded pure elegance in a stunning tulle red dress, perfectly complemented by coordinating red accessories.The dress itself featured a plunging V-neckline and a delicately gathered band beneath the bust.The floor length skirt was made from sheer tulle fabric and the absence of lining added a cool girl style, revealing Maya's coordinated red satin knickers.

Naman Ramachandran Director of the National Theatre Rufus Norris has unveiled 12 new productions and has also confirmed that he will step down after 10 years as director in mid-2025 when his current term comes to an end.  Under Norris’ leadership the National Theatre broadened both its program and audience and expanded its reach far beyond London. He had a key focus on widening the representation of voices and stories told on the National Theatre’s stages. Since 2015, the National Theatre stages have been on average 88% full – despite the disruption of COVID-19. Digital innovation under his stewardship has seen National Theater reach new audiences in over 180 countries, and the National Theatre at Home platform – born during the pandemic – has ensured that its work is shared with a wide audience. National Theatre Live, now in its 14th year, has reached over 11.8 million people in cinemas worldwide and broken the event cinema box office record for the U.K. and Ireland twice.

The annual Trooping the Colour parade is one of the most important royal events on the calendar and this year it is set to be a particularly special occasion.

William Earl During a lively Tribeca Festival masterclass discussion on genre filmmaking, director Mike Flanagan spoke with writer Justina Ireland, who was in the writers’ room for Flanagan’s upcoming Netflix series “The Fall of the House of Usher,” about how he was able to continue making the series after on-set disruption. In April 2022, Variety reported that Frank Langella, the lead of the series, was recast “following an investigation into alleged misconduct on set.” Bruce Greenwood took over the role, which included reshoots since Langella left midway through production. Ireland asked Flanagan about the difficulty of being a creative who has to be leader on set, alluding to a difficult person on “Usher” and mentioning that the audience could Google the behind-the-scenes drama if they weren’t in the know.

Caitriona Balfe has delivered a crushing blow to Outlander fans as she admits the eighth and final season is 'on hold' due to the writer's strike.