Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1520149
doing that performance for that game, they are not ending their own career … by handing over their performance, their face, their voice, their likeness to a company that can just do whatever they want with it in perpetuity ... There is no deal to be made that leaves some of our members behind." In response to the game companies' intransigence, the union started preparing for the next step by sending a strike authorization to members in September 2023, which was overwhelmingly approved, with a 98% yes vote. "It's time for the video game companies to stop playing games and get serious about reaching an agreement on this contract," said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher when members authorized the strike. "The result of this vote shows our membership understands the existential nature of these negotiations, and that the time is now for these companies — which are making billions of dollars and paying their CEOs lavishly — to give our performers an agreement that keeps performing in video games as a viable career." While A.I. protections are at the heart of the disagreement in negotiations, the conversation around A.I. itself isn't new to SAG-AFTRA. The union understands that emerging technologies can have a significant impact on members' work, and has been leading the effort to ensure that labor has a seat at the table. That's why SAG-AFTRA created the Labor Innovation & Technology Summit, which takes place during CES (see page 43). While no one — not even the companies that create it — knows how A.I. tech will be employed in the future, being involved from the very beginning puts the union ahead of the game when it comes to understanding the kinds of protections members may need . NBCUFYC.COM FOR YOUR EMMY ® CONSIDER ATION OUTSTANDING S CRIP TED VARIE T Y SERIES Tiered Budget Indie Agreement Launches SAG-AFTRA has created the Tiered Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement, which provides game developers access to union talent on their projects. THE CONTRACT: Offers customized session rates for three different production budget tiers: • $250,000 to $1 million. • $1 million to $5 million. • $5 million to $15 million. Simplifies and streamlines the base language of the full Interactive Media Agreement. Captures runaway project success with secondary payments, which can be prepaid at a reduced rate. Requires informed consent and compensation for the use of digital replicas of a performer.