Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/754215
34 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2016 | SAGAFTRA.org SAG-AFTRA DEBUTS INDIE VIDEO GAME CONTRACT SAG-AFTRA has introduced its first game contract to include a residuals structure. The union's new agreement template is targeting low budget games — an area that has seen massive growth and has been largely non-union. For independent developers under a small budget, using professional SAG-AFTRA talent was often cost- prohibitive because of the way the existing contracts were structured. So, just as there are contracts tailored to low budget films, now indie video games with budgets under $250,000 have a contract that specifically caters to their needs. Some key points of the new agreement: • For every 500,000 downloads or units sold, a principal performer will receive a secondary payment equal to union scale session up to a maximum of $825.50. • Vocally stressful sessions will be limited to two hours and paid at double scale. • The producer will be required to tell performers or their representatives the name of the project, the roles they will play, whether it will be vocally stressful and whether the session will involve objectionable content. • This new contract expands the union's presence in the growing world of video games and creates new opportunities for members. THE PLAYERS Effective Oct. 21, SAG-AFTRA is striking the following video game employers with regard to all games that went into production after Feb. 17, 2015: • Activision Publishing Inc. • Blindlight LLC • Corps of Discovery Films • Disney Character Voices Inc. • Electronic Arts Productions Inc. • Formosa Interactive LLC • Insomniac Games Inc. • Interactive Associates Inc. • Take 2 Interactive Software • VoiceWorks Productions Inc. • WB Games Inc. Visit sagaftra.org/interactive for a list of struck titles.