International Federation Of Actors “Immensely Proud Of SAG-AFTRA” For “Historic Fight”
The International Federation of Actors (FIA) has praised SAG-AFTRA for taking on an “incredible fight for all performers around the world.
Hollywood is in celebration mode after actors union SAG and the studios struck a tentative new three-year deal, which effectively began on Thursday, and the good vibes are spreading beyond U.S. borders.
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The Brussels-based FIA, which represents hundreds of thousands of performers from around 90 member organizations in more than 60 countries, said the deal “establishes a landmark standard that will have a lasting impact across generations, particularly with respect to how actors are to be rewarded for the streaming of their performances and protected against the abusive use of AI.”
Many unions and their countries’ networks and streamers are having similar discussions over residuals, AI and other issues, and the U.S. agreement is widely seen as a blueprint to take forwards.
“We are immensely proud of SAG-AFTRA for taking on this incredible fight for all performers around the world”, said FIA President Gabrielle Carteris. “Streaming and AI are global realities within our industry affecting the future of work and our ability as actors to earn a meaningful living wage. We applaud the courage of SAG-AFTRA members and their leadership for standing strong throughout this historic fight. This agreement proves that actors, when using their collective voice and standing as one, have the power to transform and elevate this industry into a fair and equitable place. Strength in unity.”
American-born Carteris was SAG-AFTRA President between 2016 and 2021 and succeeded by Fran Drescher, who led talks for the union alongside Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. Drescher and Crabtree-Ireland described the deal as a “negotiation for the future” in an exclusive interview with Deadline yesterday.
FIA General Secretary Dominick Luquer said FIA members had “rallied with SAG-AFTRA, standing firm despite the strike’s fallout in their respective countries.”
“This achievement will undoubtedly strengthen the determination of performer unions worldwide to continue fighting with courage and confidence for higher standards, respect, equity, and to help each other out in a globalized industry.”
Indeed, many overseas unions held rallies, firstly in solidarity for the writers strike and then for the actors over the summer. Today, many are sending notes of gratitude and praise to SAG.
The reverberations are even being felt in war-torn Ukraine, where Igor Storchak, producer and member of the Organisation of Ukrainian Producers said: “The agreement reached by the guild and the studios is fantastic news for professionals worldwide. It is certain that neither side is one hundred percent happy with the outcome, but it is equally certain that this crisis has been resolved and has made everyone stronger.
“I am confident this will bolster the entire industry and allow audiences to see new, remarkable titles. I really want to believe that among them will be films and series about the struggle that Ukraine is currently facing.”
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