Wow. I'm rather surprised by how, well, "normal", your voice sounds like in real life. I'm used to hearing a really low, badass growl in roles such as Canderous Ordo or Solidus Snake. You're a very underrated voice actor in my opinion, Mr Cygan.
The contract passed. As a result this is an ACTUAL breakdown from 4/22/10 for a UNION spot advertising the Apple iPad that will earn an UNION actor $98 TOTAL for one year of unlimited airing.
Union Status SAG
Conflicts None
Run(Usage) Web & New Media including viral, iPhone & iPad
Rate *$88 for 10 hour day (min. wage) + $10 buyout for 1 year
BTW, your argument isn't without merit regardless of type of work performed. Still, Paris Hilton is in your "union". Spend 10 months on stage, 6 days a week, twice on Weds and Sats. Then call yourself an actor.
Thanks jouerauxdes, it was just so succinct and well-written I couldn't resist.
Please VOTE guys. Your vote counts just as much as the rich members of this union. And they all vote. That's how we've been chipped down to this point. Please VOTE NO to protect your future, my future, and the future of this thing we all love so much as a profession. It's our right. You matter, no matter what your level of accomplishment so far.
The only INFORMED vote is a NO vote. Don't accept the scraps from the table. We can and will defeat this absurd contract. If not for ourselves, for the retired actors who are responsible for the achievements we enjoy today, and for the future of actors to come who may someday be voting on key measures that will affect our livelihood. Stand together--vote NO
It's awfully dangerous to assume that because it's not the exact deal WE want, we should say no. How long did it take to even get back to the table? SAG forfeited a lot of its bargaining strength by separating itself from AFTRA in this negotiation. If you think we have the upper hand, ask yourselves why it is that we still have NO agreement with our agents. Vote no at your own peril.
The only INFORMED vote is a NO vote. Don't accept the scraps from the table. We can and will defeat this absurd contract. If not for ourselves, for the retired actors who are responsible for the achievements we enjoy today, and for the future of actors to come who may someday be voting on key measures that will affect our livelihood. Stand together--vote NO
I agree. The proposed contract looks like a non-union buy-out for print work. Sure there's a ittle more money upfront, and a little more P&H %, but there is less overall thanks to that $24 internet one year "re-run" payment.
I'm very wary of that allowance to experiment with non-union casts in productions under $15K per minute. Sounds like a union buster move to me.
Well--we wanted to be able to have a VOTE, now it's time... Hi guys. I wanted to write something personal about our SAG Contract battle. Ask yourself only this--If you are NOT a Celebrity who regularly negotiates your deals well above Scale and glides easily from job to job, YOU MUST VOTE 'NO' ON THIS CONTRACT TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FUTURE. FAMOUS & WEALTHY people are pushing SAG to accept this Contract AT THE EXPENSE OF ALL OF US, the typical
average Member. They want to "get back to work" RIGHT AWAY, making more money and getting richer and richer, AT OUR EXPENSE. They don't care that this Contract means that we won't be able to feed ourselves and our families. They don't care that we have paid into this Union for twenty, forty, fifty years to protect us--they only care about getting RICHER RIGHT NOW. WE ARE NOT THE ONES HOLDING UP PRODUCTION--IT'S THE PRODUCERS. WE ARE NOT THE ONES CHOOSING TO 'MOVE OVER' TO A NEW MODEL--IT'S THE
PRODUCERS--TO MAKE MORE MONEY, AT OUR EXPENSE. WHY WOULD THEY BE MOVING OVER PRODUCT TO THE INTERNET IF THERE WEREN'T BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BE MADE? OUR LIVES AND CAREERS ARE THE ONLY THING BEING SACRIFICED RIGHT NOW--FOR GREED. THE RICH TO GET RICHER, AT THE EXPENSE OF THE SMALLEST PERSON ON THE TOTEM POLE. They are saying that "because the Economy is bad right now" that WE SHOULD SACRIFICE OUR FUTURES--WHEN THEY ARE CAUSING THIS! They are the ONLY ONES making a PROFIT in a hurting Economy
and they even WANT THE PENNIES WE NEED TO SURVIVE! They say "they are losing money to the cable markets"--THEY OWN THE CABLE MARKETS! IT'S A SCAM! I have been in this Union for 17 years of my life. My entire life has been set-up on a business-model that is being ripped out from under us right now like a rug. Our Union fought hard in the Fifties to setup this business model, where WE ARE COMPENSATED FOR USE AND RE-USE OF OUR IMAGE, WHICH IS ALL WE HAVE TO SELL. Now they want to take that from us
practically FOR FREE. ALL WE HAVE TO SELL IN THE WORLD FREE. Half of our own BOARD has been corrupted by GREED--that's why we are in this mess. You don't push through a Contract that will only benefit the WEALTHIEST members of a Union, and destroy the careers livelihoods of the REST. WE ARE THE MAJORITY OF THIS UNION--NOT THE GREEDY TOP PERCENTILE. We are asking for PEANUTS in the grand-scheme of this and WE ARE BEING BLAMED for "holding up work". PEANUTS. They want to buy a bigger yacht and
mansion, WHEN IT WILL MEAN THE END OF OUR CAREERS. My career will end here. I will not be able to survive in my PROFESSION, in which I have made a meager living for 17 years--and now I have no other skills. WE have the same RIGHTS in America as the RICHEST. This contract will be used as the template for ALL future negotiations in new media. We can't make another mistake like we did when VHS was "new". THIS CAN BE NEGOTIATED FAIRLY WITHOUT A STRIKE. EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO BE AN ACTOR. VOTE NO.
well now is the time for everyone with balls to stand up for ourselves. sometimes in life we have to say no and it may hirt us. for a little while but the good of the whole is at stake. i work allot in commercials and have seen residuals go from 30k- 50k on a national down to 20k. you are the union not the board. think about it and use the power your have. its your union. you decide. or just bend over and follow. ???????? Frankie Ray
John--thanks for the great video. The main thing to focus on here is that THE CONTRACT THAT WE ARE FIGHTING TO NEGOTIATE RIGHT NOW WILL BE USED AS THE TEMPLATE FOR ALL FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE AMPTP--THEY WILL NEVER GIVE US MORE THAN WHAT WE FIGHT TO GET RIGHT NOW--that is a historical fact in the history of our Guilds' contractual bargaining with them. NOW is the ONLY thing that matters. We can't make the mistakes we made in the past with DVD and VHS causing billions of lost $ for members
Come to the Rallies. Stand up for yourself and your future in this Union. We are making a difference...
And, when you get a chance, check out the response video to scab David Lawrence who made those erroneous and misrepresented claims in his videos to yours-- go to RevelationJoeTess 's channel and check out some interesting info about how David Lawrence isn't even a SAG member... he's FICORE
Variety is saying a deal has most likely been reached - SAG/Producers meet again Tuesday.
Remember Actors -- NO NEW MEDIA RESIDUALS - NO CONTRACT! IT IS OUR FUTURE!! THEY'VE TAKEN ENOUGH FROM US ALREADY - NOT MEETING OUR QUOTES, LESS HEALTH CARE, ETC. FIGHT FOR OUR FUTURE!
I'm so glad you took the time to make this video for all of us "little" people. I think its great that we are fighting for our union rights and I hope that if we do strike that we get the results we ALL NEED. Not just the A listers want cuz they are already rackin in the dough. Thanks again xxxxxxx
The agent's breakdowns DO have these shitty internet webisode deals in them -- many non-union and many paying way under SAG's minimum scale salary for film/tv deals. As well, many bona fide SAG franchised agents have negotiated contracts with these webisode producers -- contracts that did not include residuals or P&H .... from major studio subsidiaries. FACT!
While you all are fighting to preserve a few dollars in FUTURE residual checks, I (and thousands of others) are losing 10's of thousands of dollars in loss of work THIS year. Since September of 2007 I have seen my income literally cut in half due to a WGA strike and now a SAG pseudo strike, which I might add is far from over only meaning continued loss of 1,000's of dollars.
I am out over $50K that I will never get back in residual checks. If I'm not mistaken, the majority of middle-class actors have alternative means of generating income to supplement their needs. I RELY ON TV & FILM PRODUCTION FOR 100% OF MY INCOME! Are you going to pay my child support with your residual check? Are you going to help my 2 college bound kids buy books with your residual check? If the answer is NO, then stop this insanity, sign a contract and let's all get back to work!!
You're making my point! This new contract wants to move TV and eventually Feature Film re-runs through the internet and pay you NOTHING! Unless you can pay your child support on $26 every six months. They know we're weak right now. This is a union-busting contract. We have to get a better deal or not only will you lose your residuals, there won't be any pension fund for you when you retire. GET INFORMED!
I only want to point out that Actor's Access doesn't provide the same breakdowns that agents get. It provides only those Breakdowns that Casting Directors want actors to see. So naturally you will find a lot more webisodes than pilots and films since webisodes and student films are about the only kind of projects a casting director will allow actors to see.
Actor's Access is a misleading way to gauge how much paid union work is available.
I do agree that producers will never give-back. Ever
This is an incredibly self serving narrow minded view of the AFTRA contract for webisodes. This is NOT our future and this posturing and selected investigation is laughable. Disingenuous? This guy defines the word!!! Blame the other unions for the HUGE mistakes that were made by Doug Allen and Allen Rosenberg. Come on!!!
I already posted my suport for your video here, but just wanted to let you know that I have become disgusted with this David H. Lawerence character's responses to this video. I am done debating him, as I feel he is entirely disingenuous and simply seeking attention. But wanted to again thank you starting this debate here. I think there are some posts there (on his reply video) from several people today that are worth reading. - I am hesitant to post there again - he just wants hits & attention.
FYI -- the sunset clause is BS ... don't fall for it. New Media already has TV ads... not only talking webisodes but current network TV shows are already on the internet. There are currently NO internet residuals set-up. That is the real issue -- and history demonstrates according to the "DVD" contract never fairly revisited again in 20 years .... how can the actors possibly trust the producers? Now especially after they won't grant the timed contract so we are in sync with our sister unions.
I was informed the sunset clause would help us get a totally new contract on new media next time. From scratch! Ok, sure, fine, whatever! Why not now.... 5% of nothing is nothing, but 5% of hundreds of millions is something! Either way can't we all decide on a percentage? What's the harm??? Puleeze... such snowjob language .... "sunset clause" My arse! We simply can't trust those sneaky producers, no we can't!!!
you absolutely CANNOT trust the producers. Sunset Clause indeed! either its in the contract NOW to protect NOW or it's not. It's a VERY difficult thing to do later AND after how many projects have been done with no monies coming in from those projects. It's all about them, and if you dont stand up for yourself now? forget it! they have NO reason to come back and include it later.
they believe theyknow better then everyone else. It seems that they understand a paycheck. which makes them dangerous to our union and easily influence by our bosses the producers.
fillabustered the board, he knew the board was up to something. they fired Doug allen & gagged rosenberg. but now we still have no contract after the crap that went on in the board roam because the amptp added demands.
in short we will have to strike or except the contract as is. Which would be fine with the dissenters becuase most the really vocal ones who most of them are series regulars who get like $20,000/episode. I am not rerring to the a listers who are entitled to an opinion but.....
to stop the exihibit a contract, so that sag can have a chance at better becuase the gave amptp leverage. they literally only have a small percent of network television and will do anything to increase that number even if it means you have to work 10 times as much to make living.
the doug allen & alan rosenberg mess!
this was not there fault management but l of course we needed to blame somebody so they blamed doug allen and the sag president, during the baord where alan rosenberg....
as they can and then strengthen them later. now sag having establish strong contracts will not except the shit contracts they have becuase for aftra it really is a better then nothing situation for them.
how does this crap relate to the current contract negotiations. Sag being for the actors decided not to negotiate first when asked by the amptp, aftra when behind there back and made deal really quick. the sga leadership knowing that put sag in bad position. tried to use dual cardholders....
someone mention aftra rates being higher then sags. This is only 1 contract the network exhibit a contract. All the contract rates are really low and I have been a member since 1995. the terms get worse as time passes. payrates for background actually got were higher when I joined. For a long time there was only a hand full of shows to work. They realized this and decided to bring in new work for actors, but sag had it all. so they undercut sag. they want to establish as many contracts.....
amptp is not trying to destroy Sag. Becuase they need actors and actors that are good and they know this. which means sag.
Aftra under cut our contracts before these negotaitions started with the basic cable agreement. The amptp would more then likely be sending a lot business to aftra anyways. They just decided to use aftra as leverage to play aftra v.s. sag
why is aftra doing this: They suck and they know it. continued next post
Back Tom Bower, Scott Wilson, Kent McCord and all other Membership First supporters that know what's at stake. Vote for a strike authorization and protect our asses!!!
The Motion Picture & Television Fund was founded in 1921 by Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith and the home in Woodland Hills is the safety net for a lot of older Hollywood veterans.
Jeffrey Katzenberg and other Motion Picture & Television Fund officials just revealed plans to close the acute-care hospital and long-term care residence at the home in Woodland Hills. Google the rest of the information.
The vast majority of those webisodes aren't studio gigs anyway... they're the equivalent of student films - and can't afford to be union anyway. Sure, eventually things will probably go that way - but it's misleading to imply that if SAG got jurisdiction over these things that they'd suddenly all be union gigs. They'd just hire non-sag (not as good) actors.
If what you say is true, then where is all the work? I don't believe John is implying what you stated. LA casiting went all no union affiliation 1 day after AFTRA approved the contract for Broadcasters, or I should say broadcasters said screw the actors. Their needs are not ours. We dont rely on residuals or anything the actors need to make a livable living. Wed. March 4th 2009, FOX Studios, 11am-2pm Join the rally with Scott Wilson and other SAG members and IASTE Members walking in Solidarity
Unite For Strength Board members must be all newer actors who don't have a CLUE what it is like to make 200K in residuals a year. I can not believe that they would sell us down the river like AFTRA did to it's members. But yet, they are the same ones who want a merger with AFTRA, so I guess it shouldn't surprise me. They need to look at the history of our negotiations.Thanks to Unite for Strength, our voting rights have been stripped and our SAG union is divided. Good job, John.
Great Video.Too bad more idiots didn't watch it before they voted for the new board members who were nominated on to our SAG Board who have split our union. They have ruined our business. The reason all the A LIst Actors are on board with what the producers want is that they get "points" on the back end of THEIR deals. They don't care about people who have worked hard to get totally screwed.Thanks alot.
A listers are damned if they do and damned if they don't.
You all want to blame the new board for this?? Get a clue!! all 46 negotiations, the entire RIFT with AFTRA and the 7 months of doing nothing were done under the watch of Doug Allen, Alan and Membership First. The new board was brought in September 18, 2008. Well after all this was done. But hey, why let the truth get in the way of a good argument. Watch David Lawrences Video and read the actual issues.
the issue is participation in future profits by establishing a residual formula now not in 3 years. todays poultry few dollars will later be hundreds of thousands or possibly millions of dollars. if not then the producers have lost nothing. why there doing is becuase these people are trying as large a profit as they can and that means paying actors less in this case. But don't have to accept it becuase they might not make money right away. No business makes money right away!
Truth would scorch DL if he even got close to it! Your Funny! You want truth, go talk to Scott Wilson walking with a sign in hand in front of SAG headquarters. He was on the negotiating committee before united for stars infiltrated the SAG members governing body and slowed down SAG progress even more. If not for the 2012 provision that the amptp required, UFS would of signed the powder covered turd of an offer.Send us the SAV ballot.
This is funny. you blame UFS for this? Doug and Alan had 8 months and 46 negotiations to get something done before UFS became the majority after September 18. FACT. You can blame them all you want , but they were handed a mess as the majority. Typical MF support response. Bully, Bully, Bully and then blame.
I don't blame anyone for anything. I hold myself accountable. Everything the guy says may have it's place but it doesn't have a Damn thing to with the Big Picture. So I will keep pounding the pavement for multiple issues & core principles, with a sign in my hand. While you sit in here and there blumbering about blame and fault. I won't respond when you reply. Your not worth the effort. I picket for the tens of thousands of SAG members that aren't like you. Solidairty Works See you all at FOX
You are confused. I guess you have time to picket? For what? These are big business, you can stand outside all you want and scream at them. They only understand money. We botched a contract negotiation over a 10 months ago and now actors are finally getting involved? That is laughable. Where you were in May/June? I was screaming for a SAV then. Not now. Good thing you are fighting for a contract when you have like 5 credits in 20 years
I make time to picket and there's no yelling. Unlike you I know urgency and the need to be visible.Where was Iin MAY & June? 7 days phone banjs for the town hall meetings.Prior to that, 16 days walking with WGA. more than I can mention in such a short post. But I'm not here to justifiy myself. lol good once again your promoting me and my channel. What is your real name so people can look at your resume or do you have one? I been back in the biz 2 years and booked 7 Guild roles and a Natl. spot.
7 roles after the WGA strike to date when people like you say there is no work. You keep going to those non union calls. Enjoy your one time compensation. If you book em. You use an alias and have no photo? Who are you? You have a fedious for me or what? You ask why I picket? If you have to ask, then you definitley have no clue. I will waste no more time with some one that is narrow minded and cant pathom the big picture. You stay in your little world while members that care do what is needed.
JUST IN Bollywood is keen to go global & d reach out to a global audienc. It has made several attempts so far: Indian producers have set up offices in the U.S. to oversee distribution. On Feb. 6, tycoon Anil Ambani's Reliance Big Entertainment said it had signed separate development deals with the production companies of actress Julia Roberts and director Brett Ratner. Reliance last year announced similar deals with the production companies of Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tom Hanks
"Casting director"? ....give me a break. yayayarat is correct. There are only a few CDs that are respected in this biz. The rest are a bunch of losers.
Hey, if you are a member of S.A.G and Alan is calling for a strike authorization.......you damn well back him up!
We should have had a strike back in 2001 to clear all this crap up but Daniels didn't have the balls to call for a strike because of the BS excuse of "the economy". Movies all turned to crap.
The mentality of the actors voted in Melissa???? Show some backbone people! Vote for a "STRIKE AUTHORIZATION"!
easy on that. an SAV is a great tool when used properly. Alan has not been a good president, but then again, I don't believe actors should be running guilds. Regardless, an SAV now is death to SAG. There is no leverage. TV is shot out for 2009 on the networks and pilot season will be done. You would be striking and not impacting anything. Had the leadership done an SAV in May/June 2008, then perfect.
all you pro "middle class actor' fans out there. GO to yahoo and type in "Hollywood Struggles to Find wealth on the Web" it was posted today, Feb 19th. No one is saying the future won't be on the web, but to risk the health of the union on this one thing is bad strategy
Wow...that is pretty low ball. I would LOVE, LOVE, lOVE to know what you have cast. My guess is low budget films and commercials. This is another bigger issue in this town is the god complex of some CD's. We all need each other man and if you don't like actors, do something else.
Your ability to make a living as an actor has been on a steady decline since the late 90's, due to a crumbling advertising industry and declining ratings (and yes, as work goes to the web).
Your anger and blame is misplaced.
There are TWO "unions" (they're Guilds) representing the same pile of actors, they are different only by the medium they "cover." They fight one another and are racing to the bottom.
Here's an idea: "ONE UNION (and I do mean "union") for ALL ACTORS!"
I viewed David H. Lawrence's response vid to this "SAG ELEPHANT" vid. Lawrence's is a well thought out and I think it is a perfectly respectable and level headed response. It does NOT undo or negate anything middleclassactor states here.
Too bad that there are posters here who continue to mock middleclassactor. He put is face, words, and career out there for the world to scrutinize. I don't have the courage to do such a vid.
Thanks for taking the time to make and post this video. TV & Web ARE merging. Period. This contract could signal death in the future to the working actor. Furthermore, These A-List actors trying to get this contract ratified are all ALSO PRODUCERS (or married to them) is that not a HUGE conflict of interest -- Last time I checked the City Mayor is NOT aloowed to sit on the Board of the Fire Department Union -- AND THAT IS FOR A F*&@ING REASON.
John, thank you SO much for posting this. I have a couple of SAG friends who were starting to make strides and then became against authorizing a strike. I know it would suck, but it would be a sacrifice I would be willing to make to sustain my career in the future. With a deal like this, why would anyone want to hire union actors? This makes the reality of the situation that much foreboding...
The residuals are a HUGE part of what actors are entitled to, and there is NOTHING to safeguard the actors for weppys. The actors now are not getting residuals for them, nor will they. And the point you still are ignoring is that: once a union makes a crappy agreement for their members, it's hard pressed and IMPOSSIBLE to change it FOR the members good.
Thank you a million times, John! I have been utterly baffled by what's been happening and how the democratic process of asking the MEMBERSHIIP whether we would support a strike AUTHORIZATION, i.e. give our negotiators the only real tool that ever means anything, got derailed. Unfortunately, I now begin to get it. Even if the truth hurts, it's better than feel-good lies. That s**t should have ended along with the Bush administration. You're great John, hang in!
Well said! If the A-listers would pull their heads from their butts and realize that their support for the authorization only guarantees that SAG won't HAVE to strike, we might be able to get some work done and get our new media and cost of living increase needs met. Support our union- support the authorization!
A listers on both sides are there. They are damned if they do and damned if they don't. What do you think a strike will achieve? Seriously. Strike now?? All pilots are AFTRA. All TV shows are shot out for the year. Cable shows go into production and SAG Network TV shows are left blowing in the wind. Actors will still do pilots, just AFTRA pilots. They will still do Cable since it is a different contract. Strike. Come on now. Think.
These issues will continue to persist as long as there are two unions. As long as AFTRA is there to lure producers with lower costs, SAG will never have leverage. My feeling is the two unions must merge. Yes, the P&W will be a pain but in the long run it will pay off for actors.
Very powerful and your point is really, really good but my question is why can't it be negotiated as opposed to straight to strike?! The strike affects the whole town not just actors.
heather - it can't be negotiated because Doug Allen and Alan Rosenberg botched negotiations 7 months ago when they torpedoed AFTRA leaving SAG alone in this. This won't get to a strike. No leverage to strike.
For those that believe that they will be able to negotiate 3-4 years down the road, your dreaming. That day will NEVER come. People out of work OR want to work, will take the $100/day, etc wages as a NU actor. They will continue to use them for everything. If a strike is NOT held and hold the producers AND the 'A' listers accountable NOW for their greed - might as well start looking for other employment.
A listers on both sides of the fence make that an invalid argument. If webisodes (i.e. Original online Content by AMPTP companies) is shown to be viable then you think you can get top talent to work for $100 a day? I don't. Top of show on a guest star is $6850. Hmmm....do the math. Do you really think that the viewers of TV (i.e targets of ads) are going to watch subpar talent and pay for it?? I don't
Proven: Gemini Division. Take a look at the actors in it. Take a look at the advertisers in it, integrated advertising. The original point remains: IF there is a job that needs to be filled AND an unemployed actor needs to pay bills: there is always going to be a demand, and the horse is already out of the corral, so to speak.
All valid points why fighting this contract so badly and even thinking to strike now is not a great move. You have no leverage with another union making a deal already and these are not profitable endeavors. Yes, they are being made, but there is covered performer clause that makes these "union' if they hire a union actor and the sunset clause to negotiate from scratch on future negotiations should this medium become deliverable.
When webisodes make money the people who work on them will be be able to demand pay. Currently there isn't much, if any money to be made in "new media". In the future there will be and at that point people will make a percentage of the value they add to the project. Will more people watch if your in it? how many? how much will they pay? There's your value. Cast and crew will make money on web based shows when the shows make money.
I don't understand the concern over these Webisodes. They are low budget, low quality productions people rarely see. They are usually produced by a group of friends with a used DVX100 camera and they make them because they want to do something creative when they can't get well paying roles. I don't know of Webisodes that make money. The movie making business is opening up to more people and SAG actors should be able to have these opportunities. BTW.. I'm non-union.
Sure, webisodes don't make money, YET. TV as we know it is dead, everyone will soon be able to netflix shows instantly or stream them live through software on their TVs. Where is advertising going to? THINK ABOUT IT. Webisodes will be all we have soon. If we don't make money there, then we're doing it all for free.
Again. Are you talking about DVD residuals, which Membership First, Doug Allen and Alan R. GAVE UP in this negotiation or are you talking about original content for online only?? I agree that streaming residuals, etc are an issue, but right now there is no need for the producers to negotiate on this with an already viable actors union holding a TV contract till 2011. I am sorry, but that is fact. Read my post below. Its about content and the ability to find top talent
I do see your point and something needs to be agreed upon. But I don't see Webisodes taking over any time soon. Maybe 20 years down the line. I don't think the majority of the world population has the cash to get computer ready TV's in the near future. But I do like your forward thinking...
I hate to take this guy down for being brave enough to share his views, but it's laughable to me that anyone who is trying to support herself as an actor would willingly join the unions. It strikes me that only those who want SAG and AFTRA's approval and leadership are those who are already reaping the benefits, and want to keep those benefits in place...or the naive, who still glamorize Hollywood. Other unions allow their members to work non-union because they understand, work is work.
Unions provide health care, safe conditions and a recourse from 'glamourous' things like sexual harassment. I don't think these are benefits. I think they're basic human rights, that are NOT observed if you are non-union. I joined as soon as I could, and my life is far better now.
I see breakdowns that are used by casting directors everyday and yes there is a lot of non-union work. I too don't belong to any faction...unite for strength, members first, scientology...I am a member of SAG. There are agendas here that will come to light later...such as merging with AFTRA to form a uber union. Yeah, right , can't wait for Fritz Coleman to vote on my contract.
Thanks for posting this video. So many people don't know whats going on and are swayed by big names without investigating motives behind promoting hidden agendas.
I usually don't join these online links, but this is too important not to respond. John is absolutely correct. Celebrity actors, who, God bless em, are represented by major talent agencies, are also producers. Period. AMPTP has never negotiated in good faith for non-celebrity actors, and they definitely do not intend to in the age of "new media." By the way, so-called "new media" is the same business model--it is just an episode on different hardware.
he has a strong view on the web-series issue. I believe that in 3 years we will be able to negotiate a reasonable contract as the medium becomes more mainstream and commercially viable.
doubt it bluejean614, history does not demonstrate that SAG has been able to negotiate a better contract after one has already been established and signed off on. It's now or never!
To build an entire position based on Actors Access listings is fallacious. Also, when webisodes begin paying anyone for anything, you will have an argument. Right now, most web series are not about making money but about someone trying to sell their idea or talent to some larger entity. Youtube et al costs the viewer nothing.
P & W is Pension and Welfare I believe. someone else can verify or add info if im incorrect. i joined jan. 2004.
there is pension and health too but do not know if both are the same. I am trying to read up on the history because i want to know for myself about improvements in fair labor for performers. the Pension and Welfare Plan is said to have formed in 1960, a result of a strike, for better benfits. T
Do you think you have to pay your dues to sing the blues? Oh, wait. Alan and his soon to be ex bought a house and then built another one on the west side of LA while making a mid seven figure income while only paying union dues capped at .25% up to $2,500 annually. HMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Maybe you should get off Actors Access, stop doing voice overs, sit in on a budget meeting with people trying to make SAG films and series with escalating costs (due in no small part to actor's fees) with dwindling attendance and ratings and other sources of revenue, and then call the Als and tell them to take a more comprehensive look at the business before using the archaic rhetoric of the 30's. Or just go into the music businesss. Wait... what?
Great. That is original internet distribution? Original programming? Nope.. you guys are all missing the big picture here. Our stalemate was on ORIGINAL INTERNET content. Doug and Alan agreed to things like internet residuals on move over, derivative and gave up DVD's in this negotiation (if you can call it that) and are fighting over the Original programming which isn't happening. Good fight huh? I agree on residuals for thigns like this, but when leadership pushes AFTRA away and
then gives up things like this and fights for orginal content, that is the issue. there is no way on this contract SAG is going to get ANYTHING on this type of residual. NO way on gods green earth. That ship has sailed till 2011 whether you like it or not. So while people are screaming residuals you have another union who reps actors (AFTRA) working on TV. There is no leverage to strike. I agree on residuals for streaming reruns and DVD increases, but to think you are going to get it now
is laughable. If you study the deal that has been presented, you are seeing that leadership gave this fight up to put the health of SAG on AMPTP company produced original content. We are not talking about DVD's, etc. That can't be achieved now without unity from AFTRA and that aint gonna happen till 2011. I get it. I totally get it, but its not smart to go to war with a handgun. We are outmanned here.
Anyone who says this guy is wrong....is not an actor....I am so disgusted by producers...and even more by AFTRA....they sold me out years ago....I record...and have gone in for EMI and others and not have been protected...AND told I was on a chorus contract when I was singing solo songs.....besides not even getting credit for individual work!! I have done nothing but LOST money with AFTRA... SAG has always protected me....but not AFTRA
Not an actor? Really? I make a living as an actor on SAG contracts, so I am not an actor when I dispute the validity of a man who is using actors access as a research point for what is being done in this industry? Have you been F***ed on TV? That is question. This is not about your record deal. READ THE EXHIBIT A TV CONTRACT and lets keep the argument there. You are, like most supporters of this video, arguing apples to oranges.
Legally AFTRA & SAG can NOT be merged. PERIOD! Merging would mean the elimination of BOTH organizations and the start of a new one. In that case, what happens to all of the deals made, all of the health benifits and pension credits? YOU CAN'T JUST COMBINE THE TWO!!!
Do an AFL-CIO type thing; SAG take all the actors in film & television, AFTRA take all the live broadcasts (newscasters, etc.), as well as reality TV, and work out the other details. SAG-AFTRA or AFTRA-SAG, strength in numbers!
you all do know you can get a converter box that plays all shows you can watch on the internet on your television... and with crystal clear sound and picture. Also, you can watch many of the popular tv shows at will - kinda like TVO. If the average family gets a hold of this box, the internet tv becomes the tv you watch in your living room today. If I was a producer I would be pushing these boxes - Hek, I'd be giving it away if I dont' have to pay residuals to actors.
I know the box you speak of, but that is not original made for internet productions
That and the box doesn't stream as well as people think, it depends on your broadband connection and can be spotty. I have seen them in action.
Again, if 100 people in LA or NY have these, I am not saying that majority of america. The people that advertising is pushing to isn't going to be support this.
I am not saying it isn't coming. But it is not coming by the end of this contract. While everyone is...
Producers of web series are struggling artists trying to get their work off the ground in the most expedient way...if any where or are backed by studio/network money that's a different story. Period!
As the producer of a "web show" we have been working closing with SAG for our upcoming second season, and they have been incredibly helpful and accommodating, so that we can become a signatory production and offer all of the benefits to our cast, without going broke in the process.
John. If the only SAG work you've done as an actor for the past 2 years is BEN 10; SUPER BUDDY HERO ADVENTURES (according to IMDB), I would say the entire residual system needs to be dismantled and the IMPTP should contribute substantially to people and organizations that truly need the money.
IMDB lies. I work daily. I know actors on the background contract who give themselves character names, then list thier bogus characters next to and above series leads on IMDB.
I personall worked over 137 days on prime time network shows and features starring Oscar winners. You will not find me on IMBD, because I refuse to list my credits among liars.
If you trust IMBD for professional credits, you are a fool.
HA!!!! That is hilarious!!!!! So IMDB lies. I agree it is not 100% factual, BUT considering that 99% of all casting directors for TV and film use it, I think you are doing yourself a disservice.
That and TV/FILM credits are added many times by production, vs. actors adding it themselves. and if you not credited on TV it usually will say such.
Well Doc. it is funny that you are that behind in the times. I just got back from lunch with friends, two of which are Casting Directors on top 10 network TV shows, 1 agent and a manager. All four said IMDBpro is on the computer all day long and used first when looking for talent or to find who is repped by who. Then for good measure I emailed a few other Casting Friends and yep, same response.
that and you don't put yourself on there, but the production goes.
First, thank you for your kind words about my video reply to this one. I do appreciate that. It would be helpful if middleclassactor would approve it as a video comment - it's why I made it and it's waiting in his queue, but he won't approve it.
Second, a gentle bit of support for what has been said about IMDB/IMDBpro. Whoever said that 99 percent of the casting directors use it is absolutely correct. I intern at UDK, and all 10 of the CD's there have it, Breakdowns and CastIT up all day.
You may be doing yourself a disservice by not having yourself on IMDB. On the other hand, and I'm not sure in what period you had those 137 working days, you may know enough of the current crop of CD's not to have to worry about it yet. I wouldn't want to be left out of a free, often-used channel like IMDB if that's where my customers are constantly looking.
I have interned at 5 office in my time in Los Angeles and have to say that in every office IMDB and IMDB pro are up on computers all day. It is the first place to look for talent information.
So what? I've worked for years in series television and let it slack off. I do make most of my income in voice over acting now. Recently I have started going back out for episodic work. Do I NOT have a right to do that? And if you think residuals should be done away with, I many people in this industry will become truly needy people.
I respect all actors and have been as respectful as possible to your POV on this, but to look at actors access as an industry resource and to make that claim as what is going on with webisodes. You don't mention any of the contract points. The sunset clause, the covered performer clause or the fact that SAG has no leverage to strike. Your video has gotten a lot of publicity, but to those in LA who work regularly and have been a part of this process from the start, your video is short-sighted.
you breakdown the projects that are being cast and the non union factor. You don't mention the covered performer clause.
First as an industry "professional" you would know that actors access is a non-union, student film, short film service that agents and managers don't use, let alone know it is there. Then you use that "professional" service to highlight your case. here are some real #'s
Now onto Actors Access during the same time (Mon-Weds) NON UNION PROJECTS: 102 SAG PROJECTS: Short Film: 3 (one of those was unable to verify union status) Webisode: 3,including the Greatest American Hero PILOT you mentioned. There is no studio, network or major distributor tied to it, but its a pilot so there you go. Pilot: 0 Student Films (listed under SAG which is laughable) : 10 Extra work: SAG extra work though, is 4 Commercials: 4 Films: 3 total (2 ultra low budget) episodic TV: 1
The numbers you were/are using are wrong. I agree that SAG is losing this battle, and I blame the old NED Doug Allen and the guild suing Alan Rosenberg for this mess, but to honestly think we have legs to stand on for a strike is wrong.
Strikes are leverage. We have none. This was the NETWORK TV contract. The holding point on this contract was/is Original Content by AMPTP companies.
Also -- all the major studio/network pilots in pre-production and currently casting are AFTRA jobs. Producers ARE interested in breaking up SAG, no doubt!
Disney has a few coming out actually. One they just recently decided to break down into wepisodes, but it was shown over the weekend in the entirety out in Maryland.
Nice site. Few things. Do you know the contract? Does it have an audience. i have googled it and it is not averaging a lot of visitors. Why? it is not advertised and/or promoted. I checked the advertisers and they are all NBC driven advertisers that look to be bonused time on this site for the show. It is happening, but that is one. It has no audience and isn't financially bringing in the cash. One show in a sea of many. 2011. Sunset Clause. Covered Perfomer Clause.
So basically I just showed you TWO instances of weppy based series that are HUGE and your still in denial about HOW big they are and will continue to be. The creator of GD said it was 'very lucrative' and WHY they have contracted for ANOTHER 12-15 weppys for a second season. Disney has several coming out AND one that will be released soon via the SciFi network. So I guess you didn't want any examples of HOW big this is and it will ONLY continue to grow.
No. You showed me one. I looked and saw the names attached and yes it is well done. I called SAG and AFTRA to find out the contracts on them, since you won't.
Based on all web based mags, the viewership ins't that great. They are not funded by orginal advertisers, but bonus time for linear advertisers.
So its there and can happen. Where is the viewership? I am talking about fighting for this when the sake of the whole union as a whole is at risk for one series and more on the way?
thats the voice of solidus from metal gear solid 2!
He has an epic voice!
shadowniteALX 5 months ago
Yaknbo or whatever your name is :)
If you can't say something nice then maybe you should stick to your own unions issues!
Best wishes.
jamienoelloves 1 year ago
Wow. I'm rather surprised by how, well, "normal", your voice sounds like in real life. I'm used to hearing a really low, badass growl in roles such as Canderous Ordo or Solidus Snake. You're a very underrated voice actor in my opinion, Mr Cygan.
Totalpranny 1 year ago
The contract passed. As a result this is an ACTUAL breakdown from 4/22/10 for a UNION spot advertising the Apple iPad that will earn an UNION actor $98 TOTAL for one year of unlimited airing.
Union Status SAG
Conflicts None
Run(Usage) Web & New Media including viral, iPhone & iPad
Rate *$88 for 10 hour day (min. wage) + $10 buyout for 1 year
SAGDEAL 1 year ago
CANDEROUS!
wowpat449 2 years ago
BTW, your argument isn't without merit regardless of type of work performed. Still, Paris Hilton is in your "union". Spend 10 months on stage, 6 days a week, twice on Weds and Sats. Then call yourself an actor.
yaknbo 2 years ago
Your union is a gaggle of no talent assholes. That there should be a union for what you do is pathetic. You're lucky you are paid at all.
yaknbo 2 years ago
Thanks jouerauxdes, it was just so succinct and well-written I couldn't resist.
Please VOTE guys. Your vote counts just as much as the rich members of this union. And they all vote. That's how we've been chipped down to this point. Please VOTE NO to protect your future, my future, and the future of this thing we all love so much as a profession. It's our right. You matter, no matter what your level of accomplishment so far.
RevelationJoeTess 2 years ago
The only INFORMED vote is a NO vote. Don't accept the scraps from the table. We can and will defeat this absurd contract. If not for ourselves, for the retired actors who are responsible for the achievements we enjoy today, and for the future of actors to come who may someday be voting on key measures that will affect our livelihood. Stand together--vote NO
RevelationJoeTess 2 years ago
It's awfully dangerous to assume that because it's not the exact deal WE want, we should say no. How long did it take to even get back to the table? SAG forfeited a lot of its bargaining strength by separating itself from AFTRA in this negotiation. If you think we have the upper hand, ask yourselves why it is that we still have NO agreement with our agents. Vote no at your own peril.
ac17jc 2 years ago
The only INFORMED vote is a NO vote. Don't accept the scraps from the table. We can and will defeat this absurd contract. If not for ourselves, for the retired actors who are responsible for the achievements we enjoy today, and for the future of actors to come who may someday be voting on key measures that will affect our livelihood. Stand together--vote NO
jouerauxdes 2 years ago
I just hope things work out well for my fellow actors and I. Yours truly Vic Martino.
Vicmarstar 2 years ago 3
We need legal representation
SamariaTV 2 years ago
I agree. The proposed contract looks like a non-union buy-out for print work. Sure there's a ittle more money upfront, and a little more P&H %, but there is less overall thanks to that $24 internet one year "re-run" payment.
I'm very wary of that allowance to experiment with non-union casts in productions under $15K per minute. Sounds like a union buster move to me.
DrChebutykin 2 years ago
Well--we wanted to be able to have a VOTE, now it's time... Hi guys. I wanted to write something personal about our SAG Contract battle. Ask yourself only this--If you are NOT a Celebrity who regularly negotiates your deals well above Scale and glides easily from job to job, YOU MUST VOTE 'NO' ON THIS CONTRACT TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FUTURE. FAMOUS & WEALTHY people are pushing SAG to accept this Contract AT THE EXPENSE OF ALL OF US, the typical
RevelationJoeTess 2 years ago
average Member. They want to "get back to work" RIGHT AWAY, making more money and getting richer and richer, AT OUR EXPENSE. They don't care that this Contract means that we won't be able to feed ourselves and our families. They don't care that we have paid into this Union for twenty, forty, fifty years to protect us--they only care about getting RICHER RIGHT NOW. WE ARE NOT THE ONES HOLDING UP PRODUCTION--IT'S THE PRODUCERS. WE ARE NOT THE ONES CHOOSING TO 'MOVE OVER' TO A NEW MODEL--IT'S THE
RevelationJoeTess 2 years ago
PRODUCERS--TO MAKE MORE MONEY, AT OUR EXPENSE. WHY WOULD THEY BE MOVING OVER PRODUCT TO THE INTERNET IF THERE WEREN'T BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BE MADE? OUR LIVES AND CAREERS ARE THE ONLY THING BEING SACRIFICED RIGHT NOW--FOR GREED. THE RICH TO GET RICHER, AT THE EXPENSE OF THE SMALLEST PERSON ON THE TOTEM POLE. They are saying that "because the Economy is bad right now" that WE SHOULD SACRIFICE OUR FUTURES--WHEN THEY ARE CAUSING THIS! They are the ONLY ONES making a PROFIT in a hurting Economy
RevelationJoeTess 2 years ago
and they even WANT THE PENNIES WE NEED TO SURVIVE! They say "they are losing money to the cable markets"--THEY OWN THE CABLE MARKETS! IT'S A SCAM! I have been in this Union for 17 years of my life. My entire life has been set-up on a business-model that is being ripped out from under us right now like a rug. Our Union fought hard in the Fifties to setup this business model, where WE ARE COMPENSATED FOR USE AND RE-USE OF OUR IMAGE, WHICH IS ALL WE HAVE TO SELL. Now they want to take that from us
RevelationJoeTess 2 years ago
practically FOR FREE. ALL WE HAVE TO SELL IN THE WORLD FREE. Half of our own BOARD has been corrupted by GREED--that's why we are in this mess. You don't push through a Contract that will only benefit the WEALTHIEST members of a Union, and destroy the careers livelihoods of the REST. WE ARE THE MAJORITY OF THIS UNION--NOT THE GREEDY TOP PERCENTILE. We are asking for PEANUTS in the grand-scheme of this and WE ARE BEING BLAMED for "holding up work". PEANUTS. They want to buy a bigger yacht and
RevelationJoeTess 2 years ago
mansion, WHEN IT WILL MEAN THE END OF OUR CAREERS. My career will end here. I will not be able to survive in my PROFESSION, in which I have made a meager living for 17 years--and now I have no other skills. WE have the same RIGHTS in America as the RICHEST. This contract will be used as the template for ALL future negotiations in new media. We can't make another mistake like we did when VHS was "new". THIS CAN BE NEGOTIATED FAIRLY WITHOUT A STRIKE. EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO BE AN ACTOR. VOTE NO.
RevelationJoeTess 2 years ago 2
hay all
well now is the time for everyone with balls to stand up for ourselves. sometimes in life we have to say no and it may hirt us. for a little while but the good of the whole is at stake. i work allot in commercials and have seen residuals go from 30k- 50k on a national down to 20k. you are the union not the board. think about it and use the power your have. its your union. you decide. or just bend over and follow. ???????? Frankie Ray
hollywoodbadguy1 2 years ago 2
John--thanks for the great video. The main thing to focus on here is that THE CONTRACT THAT WE ARE FIGHTING TO NEGOTIATE RIGHT NOW WILL BE USED AS THE TEMPLATE FOR ALL FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE AMPTP--THEY WILL NEVER GIVE US MORE THAN WHAT WE FIGHT TO GET RIGHT NOW--that is a historical fact in the history of our Guilds' contractual bargaining with them. NOW is the ONLY thing that matters. We can't make the mistakes we made in the past with DVD and VHS causing billions of lost $ for members
RevelationJoeTess 2 years ago
Come to the Rallies. Stand up for yourself and your future in this Union. We are making a difference...
And, when you get a chance, check out the response video to scab David Lawrence who made those erroneous and misrepresented claims in his videos to yours-- go to RevelationJoeTess 's channel and check out some interesting info about how David Lawrence isn't even a SAG member... he's FICORE
RevelationJoeTess 2 years ago
Variety is saying a deal has most likely been reached - SAG/Producers meet again Tuesday.
Remember Actors -- NO NEW MEDIA RESIDUALS - NO CONTRACT! IT IS OUR FUTURE!! THEY'VE TAKEN ENOUGH FROM US ALREADY - NOT MEETING OUR QUOTES, LESS HEALTH CARE, ETC. FIGHT FOR OUR FUTURE!
girlygirlindahood 2 years ago
Bravo! I already quit my TV and watch online now.
Let's not salt the soil.
ednatrumbull 2 years ago
I'm so glad you took the time to make this video for all of us "little" people. I think its great that we are fighting for our union rights and I hope that if we do strike that we get the results we ALL NEED. Not just the A listers want cuz they are already rackin in the dough. Thanks again xxxxxxx
GAILBUGEJA 2 years ago
The agent's breakdowns DO have these shitty internet webisode deals in them -- many non-union and many paying way under SAG's minimum scale salary for film/tv deals. As well, many bona fide SAG franchised agents have negotiated contracts with these webisode producers -- contracts that did not include residuals or P&H .... from major studio subsidiaries. FACT!
girlygirlindahood 3 years ago
I just emailed a link to your video to close to 300 people. I want people to make their own decisions and hear as many opinions as possible.
I personally agree with you.
I believe our future is going to be determined with THIS contract, because New Media is Now Media.
And those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it
thejustshall 3 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
While you all are fighting to preserve a few dollars in FUTURE residual checks, I (and thousands of others) are losing 10's of thousands of dollars in loss of work THIS year. Since September of 2007 I have seen my income literally cut in half due to a WGA strike and now a SAG pseudo strike, which I might add is far from over only meaning continued loss of 1,000's of dollars.
kamerakrazy 3 years ago
I am out over $50K that I will never get back in residual checks. If I'm not mistaken, the majority of middle-class actors have alternative means of generating income to supplement their needs. I RELY ON TV & FILM PRODUCTION FOR 100% OF MY INCOME! Are you going to pay my child support with your residual check? Are you going to help my 2 college bound kids buy books with your residual check? If the answer is NO, then stop this insanity, sign a contract and let's all get back to work!!
kamerakrazy 3 years ago
You're making my point! This new contract wants to move TV and eventually Feature Film re-runs through the internet and pay you NOTHING! Unless you can pay your child support on $26 every six months. They know we're weak right now. This is a union-busting contract. We have to get a better deal or not only will you lose your residuals, there won't be any pension fund for you when you retire. GET INFORMED!
middleclassactor 3 years ago
I only want to point out that Actor's Access doesn't provide the same breakdowns that agents get. It provides only those Breakdowns that Casting Directors want actors to see. So naturally you will find a lot more webisodes than pilots and films since webisodes and student films are about the only kind of projects a casting director will allow actors to see.
Actor's Access is a misleading way to gauge how much paid union work is available.
I do agree that producers will never give-back. Ever
rockythesquirrel 3 years ago
This is an incredibly self serving narrow minded view of the AFTRA contract for webisodes. This is NOT our future and this posturing and selected investigation is laughable. Disingenuous? This guy defines the word!!! Blame the other unions for the HUGE mistakes that were made by Doug Allen and Allen Rosenberg. Come on!!!
testtubetv 3 years ago
I already posted my suport for your video here, but just wanted to let you know that I have become disgusted with this David H. Lawerence character's responses to this video. I am done debating him, as I feel he is entirely disingenuous and simply seeking attention. But wanted to again thank you starting this debate here. I think there are some posts there (on his reply video) from several people today that are worth reading. - I am hesitant to post there again - he just wants hits & attention.
CuHulan33 3 years ago 2
Comment removed
CuHulan33 3 years ago
FYI -- the sunset clause is BS ... don't fall for it. New Media already has TV ads... not only talking webisodes but current network TV shows are already on the internet. There are currently NO internet residuals set-up. That is the real issue -- and history demonstrates according to the "DVD" contract never fairly revisited again in 20 years .... how can the actors possibly trust the producers? Now especially after they won't grant the timed contract so we are in sync with our sister unions.
girlygirlindahood 3 years ago 3
I was informed the sunset clause would help us get a totally new contract on new media next time. From scratch! Ok, sure, fine, whatever! Why not now.... 5% of nothing is nothing, but 5% of hundreds of millions is something! Either way can't we all decide on a percentage? What's the harm??? Puleeze... such snowjob language .... "sunset clause" My arse! We simply can't trust those sneaky producers, no we can't!!!
girlygirlindahood 3 years ago 2
you absolutely CANNOT trust the producers. Sunset Clause indeed! either its in the contract NOW to protect NOW or it's not. It's a VERY difficult thing to do later AND after how many projects have been done with no monies coming in from those projects. It's all about them, and if you dont stand up for yourself now? forget it! they have NO reason to come back and include it later.
daGOONKiE 3 years ago
they believe theyknow better then everyone else. It seems that they understand a paycheck. which makes them dangerous to our union and easily influence by our bosses the producers.
DavidVRey 3 years ago
fillabustered the board, he knew the board was up to something. they fired Doug allen & gagged rosenberg. but now we still have no contract after the crap that went on in the board roam because the amptp added demands.
in short we will have to strike or except the contract as is. Which would be fine with the dissenters becuase most the really vocal ones who most of them are series regulars who get like $20,000/episode. I am not rerring to the a listers who are entitled to an opinion but.....
DavidVRey 3 years ago
to stop the exihibit a contract, so that sag can have a chance at better becuase the gave amptp leverage. they literally only have a small percent of network television and will do anything to increase that number even if it means you have to work 10 times as much to make living.
the doug allen & alan rosenberg mess!
this was not there fault management but l of course we needed to blame somebody so they blamed doug allen and the sag president, during the baord where alan rosenberg....
DavidVRey 3 years ago
as they can and then strengthen them later. now sag having establish strong contracts will not except the shit contracts they have becuase for aftra it really is a better then nothing situation for them.
how does this crap relate to the current contract negotiations. Sag being for the actors decided not to negotiate first when asked by the amptp, aftra when behind there back and made deal really quick. the sga leadership knowing that put sag in bad position. tried to use dual cardholders....
DavidVRey 3 years ago
someone mention aftra rates being higher then sags. This is only 1 contract the network exhibit a contract. All the contract rates are really low and I have been a member since 1995. the terms get worse as time passes. payrates for background actually got were higher when I joined. For a long time there was only a hand full of shows to work. They realized this and decided to bring in new work for actors, but sag had it all. so they undercut sag. they want to establish as many contracts.....
DavidVRey 3 years ago
about the conspiracy thoeries!
amptp is not trying to destroy Sag. Becuase they need actors and actors that are good and they know this. which means sag.
Aftra under cut our contracts before these negotaitions started with the basic cable agreement. The amptp would more then likely be sending a lot business to aftra anyways. They just decided to use aftra as leverage to play aftra v.s. sag
why is aftra doing this: They suck and they know it. continued next post
DavidVRey 3 years ago
Back Tom Bower, Scott Wilson, Kent McCord and all other Membership First supporters that know what's at stake. Vote for a strike authorization and protect our asses!!!
Cedarsedge 3 years ago 3
JUST IN:
The Motion Picture & Television Fund was founded in 1921 by Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith and the home in Woodland Hills is the safety net for a lot of older Hollywood veterans.
Jeffrey Katzenberg and other Motion Picture & Television Fund officials just revealed plans to close the acute-care hospital and long-term care residence at the home in Woodland Hills. Google the rest of the information.
Hoffgrund 3 years ago
Hallelujah! Thanks for making this video.
LivePublic 3 years ago 3
The vast majority of those webisodes aren't studio gigs anyway... they're the equivalent of student films - and can't afford to be union anyway. Sure, eventually things will probably go that way - but it's misleading to imply that if SAG got jurisdiction over these things that they'd suddenly all be union gigs. They'd just hire non-sag (not as good) actors.
Les2 3 years ago
If what you say is true, then where is all the work? I don't believe John is implying what you stated. LA casiting went all no union affiliation 1 day after AFTRA approved the contract for Broadcasters, or I should say broadcasters said screw the actors. Their needs are not ours. We dont rely on residuals or anything the actors need to make a livable living. Wed. March 4th 2009, FOX Studios, 11am-2pm Join the rally with Scott Wilson and other SAG members and IASTE Members walking in Solidarity
Kelpine 3 years ago
Unite For Strength Board members must be all newer actors who don't have a CLUE what it is like to make 200K in residuals a year. I can not believe that they would sell us down the river like AFTRA did to it's members. But yet, they are the same ones who want a merger with AFTRA, so I guess it shouldn't surprise me. They need to look at the history of our negotiations.Thanks to Unite for Strength, our voting rights have been stripped and our SAG union is divided. Good job, John.
surfinannie 3 years ago 2
Something new too consider?
UFS = United For Stars
SMF or MF, same difference =
SAG's Membership First
Kelpine 3 years ago
Wow... magnificent vid.. thanks doggie...
Well the end is near but thank the lord in heaven we didn't sign that turd...
but... since they came to a conclusion just recently... what DID we sign..??
DJEvillincoln 3 years ago
Great Video.Too bad more idiots didn't watch it before they voted for the new board members who were nominated on to our SAG Board who have split our union. They have ruined our business. The reason all the A LIst Actors are on board with what the producers want is that they get "points" on the back end of THEIR deals. They don't care about people who have worked hard to get totally screwed.Thanks alot.
surfinannie 3 years ago
GET EDUCATED
A listers are damned if they do and damned if they don't.
You all want to blame the new board for this?? Get a clue!! all 46 negotiations, the entire RIFT with AFTRA and the 7 months of doing nothing were done under the watch of Doug Allen, Alan and Membership First. The new board was brought in September 18, 2008. Well after all this was done. But hey, why let the truth get in the way of a good argument. Watch David Lawrences Video and read the actual issues.
yayayarat 3 years ago
yayayarat
the issue is participation in future profits by establishing a residual formula now not in 3 years. todays poultry few dollars will later be hundreds of thousands or possibly millions of dollars. if not then the producers have lost nothing. why there doing is becuase these people are trying as large a profit as they can and that means paying actors less in this case. But don't have to accept it becuase they might not make money right away. No business makes money right away!
DavidVRey 3 years ago
lol your funny!
David Lawerence-Truth? lol Your Funny!
Truth would scorch DL if he even got close to it! Your Funny! You want truth, go talk to Scott Wilson walking with a sign in hand in front of SAG headquarters. He was on the negotiating committee before united for stars infiltrated the SAG members governing body and slowed down SAG progress even more. If not for the 2012 provision that the amptp required, UFS would of signed the powder covered turd of an offer.Send us the SAV ballot.
Kelpine 3 years ago
This is funny. you blame UFS for this? Doug and Alan had 8 months and 46 negotiations to get something done before UFS became the majority after September 18. FACT. You can blame them all you want , but they were handed a mess as the majority. Typical MF support response. Bully, Bully, Bully and then blame.
yayayarat 3 years ago
I don't blame anyone for anything. I hold myself accountable. Everything the guy says may have it's place but it doesn't have a Damn thing to with the Big Picture. So I will keep pounding the pavement for multiple issues & core principles, with a sign in my hand. While you sit in here and there blumbering about blame and fault. I won't respond when you reply. Your not worth the effort. I picket for the tens of thousands of SAG members that aren't like you. Solidairty Works See you all at FOX
Kelpine 3 years ago
You are confused. I guess you have time to picket? For what? These are big business, you can stand outside all you want and scream at them. They only understand money. We botched a contract negotiation over a 10 months ago and now actors are finally getting involved? That is laughable. Where you were in May/June? I was screaming for a SAV then. Not now. Good thing you are fighting for a contract when you have like 5 credits in 20 years
yayayarat 3 years ago
I make time to picket and there's no yelling. Unlike you I know urgency and the need to be visible.Where was Iin MAY & June? 7 days phone banjs for the town hall meetings.Prior to that, 16 days walking with WGA. more than I can mention in such a short post. But I'm not here to justifiy myself. lol good once again your promoting me and my channel. What is your real name so people can look at your resume or do you have one? I been back in the biz 2 years and booked 7 Guild roles and a Natl. spot.
Kelpine 3 years ago
7 roles after the WGA strike to date when people like you say there is no work. You keep going to those non union calls. Enjoy your one time compensation. If you book em. You use an alias and have no photo? Who are you? You have a fedious for me or what? You ask why I picket? If you have to ask, then you definitley have no clue. I will waste no more time with some one that is narrow minded and cant pathom the big picture. You stay in your little world while members that care do what is needed.
Kelpine 3 years ago
JUST IN Bollywood is keen to go global & d reach out to a global audienc. It has made several attempts so far: Indian producers have set up offices in the U.S. to oversee distribution. On Feb. 6, tycoon Anil Ambani's Reliance Big Entertainment said it had signed separate development deals with the production companies of actress Julia Roberts and director Brett Ratner. Reliance last year announced similar deals with the production companies of Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tom Hanks
Hoffgrund 3 years ago
good for you, getting the facts out there. "a" list assholes who'll never worry about money again have no right to speak for the rest of us.
buckomb 3 years ago 2
"Casting director"? ....give me a break. yayayarat is correct. There are only a few CDs that are respected in this biz. The rest are a bunch of losers.
Cedarsedge 3 years ago
Hey, if you are a member of S.A.G and Alan is calling for a strike authorization.......you damn well back him up!
We should have had a strike back in 2001 to clear all this crap up but Daniels didn't have the balls to call for a strike because of the BS excuse of "the economy". Movies all turned to crap.
The mentality of the actors voted in Melissa???? Show some backbone people! Vote for a "STRIKE AUTHORIZATION"!
Don't be a bunch of wimps!
Cedarsedge 3 years ago
easy on that. an SAV is a great tool when used properly. Alan has not been a good president, but then again, I don't believe actors should be running guilds. Regardless, an SAV now is death to SAG. There is no leverage. TV is shot out for 2009 on the networks and pilot season will be done. You would be striking and not impacting anything. Had the leadership done an SAV in May/June 2008, then perfect.
yayayarat 3 years ago
Comment removed
yayayarat 3 years ago
all you pro "middle class actor' fans out there. GO to yahoo and type in "Hollywood Struggles to Find wealth on the Web" it was posted today, Feb 19th. No one is saying the future won't be on the web, but to risk the health of the union on this one thing is bad strategy
yayayarat 3 years ago
BRAVO!!!
Most Brilliant SIMPLE clarification
of a bad deal by AFTRA.
***** that's 5 STARS!
IMarcAlexander 3 years ago
Props to you for posting this - as a casting director dealing with "middle class" actors, MANY of them simply cannot act.
Everyone assumes, as many did during the tech boom of the 90's, that people will swallow anything that's in front of them.
The public is smart and call bull**** on bad acting and bad content.
They can throw up 2,000 "webisodes" but if 1,990 of them suck...
Are "Middle Class" actors REALLY going out to audition for these 100 dollar a day shows? REALLY?
But I applaud you
bgkcasting 3 years ago
Wow...that is pretty low ball. I would LOVE, LOVE, lOVE to know what you have cast. My guess is low budget films and commercials. This is another bigger issue in this town is the god complex of some CD's. We all need each other man and if you don't like actors, do something else.
yayayarat 3 years ago
Your ability to make a living as an actor has been on a steady decline since the late 90's, due to a crumbling advertising industry and declining ratings (and yes, as work goes to the web).
Your anger and blame is misplaced.
There are TWO "unions" (they're Guilds) representing the same pile of actors, they are different only by the medium they "cover." They fight one another and are racing to the bottom.
Here's an idea: "ONE UNION (and I do mean "union") for ALL ACTORS!"
Genius isn't it?
FatLester3 3 years ago 2
I've searched on Actors Access for non-union webisodes, and I've never, ever seen more than three or four per page.
I'm not exactly saying that he's lying ...
StuffThatMadeMeLaugh 3 years ago
I agree w/ you and your video 110%. Well-done on getting the word out succinctly. :) J
jayfray84 3 years ago
I viewed David H. Lawrence's response vid to this "SAG ELEPHANT" vid. Lawrence's is a well thought out and I think it is a perfectly respectable and level headed response. It does NOT undo or negate anything middleclassactor states here.
Too bad that there are posters here who continue to mock middleclassactor. He put is face, words, and career out there for the world to scrutinize. I don't have the courage to do such a vid.
DrChebutykin 3 years ago
AFTRA is a joke- wish it wasn't, but its open enrollment policy and diluted membership practices have led it to the verge of financial ruin.
mayfieldheights 3 years ago
Thanks for taking the time to make and post this video. TV & Web ARE merging. Period. This contract could signal death in the future to the working actor. Furthermore, These A-List actors trying to get this contract ratified are all ALSO PRODUCERS (or married to them) is that not a HUGE conflict of interest -- Last time I checked the City Mayor is NOT aloowed to sit on the Board of the Fire Department Union -- AND THAT IS FOR A F*&@ING REASON.
lunafran33 3 years ago
John, thank you SO much for posting this. I have a couple of SAG friends who were starting to make strides and then became against authorizing a strike. I know it would suck, but it would be a sacrifice I would be willing to make to sustain my career in the future. With a deal like this, why would anyone want to hire union actors? This makes the reality of the situation that much foreboding...
lesigh68 3 years ago
The residuals are a HUGE part of what actors are entitled to, and there is NOTHING to safeguard the actors for weppys. The actors now are not getting residuals for them, nor will they. And the point you still are ignoring is that: once a union makes a crappy agreement for their members, it's hard pressed and IMPOSSIBLE to change it FOR the members good.
daGOONKiE 3 years ago
Thank you a million times, John! I have been utterly baffled by what's been happening and how the democratic process of asking the MEMBERSHIIP whether we would support a strike AUTHORIZATION, i.e. give our negotiators the only real tool that ever means anything, got derailed. Unfortunately, I now begin to get it. Even if the truth hurts, it's better than feel-good lies. That s**t should have ended along with the Bush administration. You're great John, hang in!
corey949 3 years ago
I was glad to see you today at the rally in front of the AMPTP.
All of us are grateful for your video news on the problems we are living in at the present.
We need to vote no on this offer of loss.
tdfoolery 3 years ago
Thanks for the vid. Very informative.
giuseppi77 3 years ago
Well said! If the A-listers would pull their heads from their butts and realize that their support for the authorization only guarantees that SAG won't HAVE to strike, we might be able to get some work done and get our new media and cost of living increase needs met. Support our union- support the authorization!
mayfieldheights 3 years ago
A listers on both sides are there. They are damned if they do and damned if they don't. What do you think a strike will achieve? Seriously. Strike now?? All pilots are AFTRA. All TV shows are shot out for the year. Cable shows go into production and SAG Network TV shows are left blowing in the wind. Actors will still do pilots, just AFTRA pilots. They will still do Cable since it is a different contract. Strike. Come on now. Think.
yayayarat 3 years ago
These issues will continue to persist as long as there are two unions. As long as AFTRA is there to lure producers with lower costs, SAG will never have leverage. My feeling is the two unions must merge. Yes, the P&W will be a pain but in the long run it will pay off for actors.
martyyu 3 years ago
There is no lower costs on Network TV right now. AFTRA actually pays better than SAG's deal right now.
yayayarat 3 years ago
Very powerful and your point is really, really good but my question is why can't it be negotiated as opposed to straight to strike?! The strike affects the whole town not just actors.
Heather
heath500 3 years ago
heather - it can't be negotiated because Doug Allen and Alan Rosenberg botched negotiations 7 months ago when they torpedoed AFTRA leaving SAG alone in this. This won't get to a strike. No leverage to strike.
yayayarat 3 years ago
For those that believe that they will be able to negotiate 3-4 years down the road, your dreaming. That day will NEVER come. People out of work OR want to work, will take the $100/day, etc wages as a NU actor. They will continue to use them for everything. If a strike is NOT held and hold the producers AND the 'A' listers accountable NOW for their greed - might as well start looking for other employment.
daGOONKiE 3 years ago
A listers on both sides of the fence make that an invalid argument. If webisodes (i.e. Original online Content by AMPTP companies) is shown to be viable then you think you can get top talent to work for $100 a day? I don't. Top of show on a guest star is $6850. Hmmm....do the math. Do you really think that the viewers of TV (i.e targets of ads) are going to watch subpar talent and pay for it?? I don't
yayayarat 3 years ago
Proven: Gemini Division. Take a look at the actors in it. Take a look at the advertisers in it, integrated advertising. The original point remains: IF there is a job that needs to be filled AND an unemployed actor needs to pay bills: there is always going to be a demand, and the horse is already out of the corral, so to speak.
daGOONKiE 3 years ago
All valid points why fighting this contract so badly and even thinking to strike now is not a great move. You have no leverage with another union making a deal already and these are not profitable endeavors. Yes, they are being made, but there is covered performer clause that makes these "union' if they hire a union actor and the sunset clause to negotiate from scratch on future negotiations should this medium become deliverable.
yayayarat 3 years ago
When webisodes make money the people who work on them will be be able to demand pay. Currently there isn't much, if any money to be made in "new media". In the future there will be and at that point people will make a percentage of the value they add to the project. Will more people watch if your in it? how many? how much will they pay? There's your value. Cast and crew will make money on web based shows when the shows make money.
moovnpixrs 3 years ago
I don't understand the concern over these Webisodes. They are low budget, low quality productions people rarely see. They are usually produced by a group of friends with a used DVX100 camera and they make them because they want to do something creative when they can't get well paying roles. I don't know of Webisodes that make money. The movie making business is opening up to more people and SAG actors should be able to have these opportunities. BTW.. I'm non-union.
GreggAngel 3 years ago
Sure, webisodes don't make money, YET. TV as we know it is dead, everyone will soon be able to netflix shows instantly or stream them live through software on their TVs. Where is advertising going to? THINK ABOUT IT. Webisodes will be all we have soon. If we don't make money there, then we're doing it all for free.
clairebocking 3 years ago
Again. Are you talking about DVD residuals, which Membership First, Doug Allen and Alan R. GAVE UP in this negotiation or are you talking about original content for online only?? I agree that streaming residuals, etc are an issue, but right now there is no need for the producers to negotiate on this with an already viable actors union holding a TV contract till 2011. I am sorry, but that is fact. Read my post below. Its about content and the ability to find top talent
yayayarat 3 years ago
I do see your point and something needs to be agreed upon. But I don't see Webisodes taking over any time soon. Maybe 20 years down the line. I don't think the majority of the world population has the cash to get computer ready TV's in the near future. But I do like your forward thinking...
GreggAngel 3 years ago
I hate to take this guy down for being brave enough to share his views, but it's laughable to me that anyone who is trying to support herself as an actor would willingly join the unions. It strikes me that only those who want SAG and AFTRA's approval and leadership are those who are already reaping the benefits, and want to keep those benefits in place...or the naive, who still glamorize Hollywood. Other unions allow their members to work non-union because they understand, work is work.
strangevista 3 years ago
Strange, are you an actor? Union vs. Non union work? Really?
yayayarat 3 years ago
Unions provide health care, safe conditions and a recourse from 'glamourous' things like sexual harassment. I don't think these are benefits. I think they're basic human rights, that are NOT observed if you are non-union. I joined as soon as I could, and my life is far better now.
clairebocking 3 years ago
I see breakdowns that are used by casting directors everyday and yes there is a lot of non-union work. I too don't belong to any faction...unite for strength, members first, scientology...I am a member of SAG. There are agendas here that will come to light later...such as merging with AFTRA to form a uber union. Yeah, right , can't wait for Fritz Coleman to vote on my contract.
robkim41 3 years ago
Thanks for posting this video. So many people don't know whats going on and are swayed by big names without investigating motives behind promoting hidden agendas.
MelissaAnnRusso 3 years ago
I usually don't join these online links, but this is too important not to respond. John is absolutely correct. Celebrity actors, who, God bless em, are represented by major talent agencies, are also producers. Period. AMPTP has never negotiated in good faith for non-celebrity actors, and they definitely do not intend to in the age of "new media." By the way, so-called "new media" is the same business model--it is just an episode on different hardware.
honcx1955 3 years ago
Thank you sir!
MonsoonalLizard 3 years ago
Thank you for that..
dompace1 3 years ago
he has a strong view on the web-series issue. I believe that in 3 years we will be able to negotiate a reasonable contract as the medium becomes more mainstream and commercially viable.
bluejean614 3 years ago
doubt it bluejean614, history does not demonstrate that SAG has been able to negotiate a better contract after one has already been established and signed off on. It's now or never!
girlygirlindahood 3 years ago
To build an entire position based on Actors Access listings is fallacious. Also, when webisodes begin paying anyone for anything, you will have an argument. Right now, most web series are not about making money but about someone trying to sell their idea or talent to some larger entity. Youtube et al costs the viewer nothing.
GADAWG3 3 years ago
What does P&W mean?
2drsdwn 3 years ago
Hi,
P & W is Pension and Welfare I believe. someone else can verify or add info if im incorrect. i joined jan. 2004.
there is pension and health too but do not know if both are the same. I am trying to read up on the history because i want to know for myself about improvements in fair labor for performers. the Pension and Welfare Plan is said to have formed in 1960, a result of a strike, for better benfits. T
thusharijayasekera 3 years ago
Great video, thanks for laying it out. It's such a shame that most of these comments reach such an astounding level of ignorance.
Waldovonerich 3 years ago
Now watch David H Lawrence's video and you'll find out that this video equals ingnorance.
yayayarat 3 years ago
Do you think you have to pay your dues to sing the blues? Oh, wait. Alan and his soon to be ex bought a house and then built another one on the west side of LA while making a mid seven figure income while only paying union dues capped at .25% up to $2,500 annually. HMMMMMMMMMMMMM
ko730 3 years ago
This was such a clear way of expressing what's going on out there. Thanks for taking the time to put this together and post it.
AyeshaAdamo 3 years ago 2
bravo!
AyeshaAdamo 3 years ago 2
wait you too? pay him.
ko730 3 years ago
can you see me? pay me.
ko730 3 years ago
you look pretty mad bro
CJGRIFFIN84 3 years ago
Comment removed
ko730 3 years ago
watch Alan sing the blues on you tube
ko730 3 years ago
Comment removed
ko730 3 years ago
Maybe you should get off Actors Access, stop doing voice overs, sit in on a budget meeting with people trying to make SAG films and series with escalating costs (due in no small part to actor's fees) with dwindling attendance and ratings and other sources of revenue, and then call the Als and tell them to take a more comprehensive look at the business before using the archaic rhetoric of the 30's. Or just go into the music businesss. Wait... what?
ko730 3 years ago
Comment removed
ko730 3 years ago
Hi YAYA, I just watched the whole season 3 of Heroes last week on netfilx. It came in very clear with perfect sound on a regular cable connection.
I think netfilx has more then 100 subscribers...
mattsison 3 years ago 2
Great. That is original internet distribution? Original programming? Nope.. you guys are all missing the big picture here. Our stalemate was on ORIGINAL INTERNET content. Doug and Alan agreed to things like internet residuals on move over, derivative and gave up DVD's in this negotiation (if you can call it that) and are fighting over the Original programming which isn't happening. Good fight huh? I agree on residuals for thigns like this, but when leadership pushes AFTRA away and
yayayarat 3 years ago
then gives up things like this and fights for orginal content, that is the issue. there is no way on this contract SAG is going to get ANYTHING on this type of residual. NO way on gods green earth. That ship has sailed till 2011 whether you like it or not. So while people are screaming residuals you have another union who reps actors (AFTRA) working on TV. There is no leverage to strike. I agree on residuals for streaming reruns and DVD increases, but to think you are going to get it now
yayayarat 3 years ago
is laughable. If you study the deal that has been presented, you are seeing that leadership gave this fight up to put the health of SAG on AMPTP company produced original content. We are not talking about DVD's, etc. That can't be achieved now without unity from AFTRA and that aint gonna happen till 2011. I get it. I totally get it, but its not smart to go to war with a handgun. We are outmanned here.
yayayarat 3 years ago
Anyone who says this guy is wrong....is not an actor....I am so disgusted by producers...and even more by AFTRA....they sold me out years ago....I record...and have gone in for EMI and others and not have been protected...AND told I was on a chorus contract when I was singing solo songs.....besides not even getting credit for individual work!! I have done nothing but LOST money with AFTRA... SAG has always protected me....but not AFTRA
CAROLKL 3 years ago
Not an actor? Really? I make a living as an actor on SAG contracts, so I am not an actor when I dispute the validity of a man who is using actors access as a research point for what is being done in this industry? Have you been F***ed on TV? That is question. This is not about your record deal. READ THE EXHIBIT A TV CONTRACT and lets keep the argument there. You are, like most supporters of this video, arguing apples to oranges.
yayayarat 3 years ago
Legally AFTRA & SAG can NOT be merged. PERIOD! Merging would mean the elimination of BOTH organizations and the start of a new one. In that case, what happens to all of the deals made, all of the health benifits and pension credits? YOU CAN'T JUST COMBINE THE TWO!!!
Do an AFL-CIO type thing; SAG take all the actors in film & television, AFTRA take all the live broadcasts (newscasters, etc.), as well as reality TV, and work out the other details. SAG-AFTRA or AFTRA-SAG, strength in numbers!
imtoredown 3 years ago 2
you all do know you can get a converter box that plays all shows you can watch on the internet on your television... and with crystal clear sound and picture. Also, you can watch many of the popular tv shows at will - kinda like TVO. If the average family gets a hold of this box, the internet tv becomes the tv you watch in your living room today. If I was a producer I would be pushing these boxes - Hek, I'd be giving it away if I dont' have to pay residuals to actors.
mattsison 3 years ago
I know the box you speak of, but that is not original made for internet productions
That and the box doesn't stream as well as people think, it depends on your broadband connection and can be spotty. I have seen them in action.
Again, if 100 people in LA or NY have these, I am not saying that majority of america. The people that advertising is pushing to isn't going to be support this.
I am not saying it isn't coming. But it is not coming by the end of this contract. While everyone is...
yayayarat 3 years ago
out there screaming the end is near, you are missing out on MILLIONS of dollars in TV minimums. THat is the issue.
Its not NOW media. That is 100 false.
yayayarat 3 years ago
Producers of web series are struggling artists trying to get their work off the ground in the most expedient way...if any where or are backed by studio/network money that's a different story. Period!
FatherOfThings 3 years ago
WEbisodes = short films from a few years ago.
yayayarat 3 years ago
As the producer of a "web show" we have been working closing with SAG for our upcoming second season, and they have been incredibly helpful and accommodating, so that we can become a signatory production and offer all of the benefits to our cast, without going broke in the process.
PoorPaulPoorPaul 3 years ago 3
Remember the "silent bit" rate?
It's gone and we'll never get it back.
Remember the walk-away lunch payment? Gone, & we'll never get it back.
Rememeber paid travel time to L&O: SVU's stages in NJ? Gone.
Rememeber when Penn Station was a late night safe-zone drop off location? Gone and we'll never get it back.
Webisodes will take the place of episodes, and SAG will never get them back IF this contract goes thru in it's current version.
middleclassactor is right.
DrChebutykin 3 years ago
Apples and Oranges.
I will give you $10,000 if Webisodes take over episodic Tv on TV in the next 3 years.
yayayarat 3 years ago
I'll take that bet.
cindyvirgo 3 years ago 2
you can have it If you think that people are moving over and watching Grey's Anatomy only on the "computer/internet"
yayayarat 3 years ago
John. If the only SAG work you've done as an actor for the past 2 years is BEN 10; SUPER BUDDY HERO ADVENTURES (according to IMDB), I would say the entire residual system needs to be dismantled and the IMPTP should contribute substantially to people and organizations that truly need the money.
ko730 3 years ago
IMDB lies. I work daily. I know actors on the background contract who give themselves character names, then list thier bogus characters next to and above series leads on IMDB.
I personall worked over 137 days on prime time network shows and features starring Oscar winners. You will not find me on IMBD, because I refuse to list my credits among liars.
If you trust IMBD for professional credits, you are a fool.
DrChebutykin 3 years ago
HA!!!! That is hilarious!!!!! So IMDB lies. I agree it is not 100% factual, BUT considering that 99% of all casting directors for TV and film use it, I think you are doing yourself a disservice.
That and TV/FILM credits are added many times by production, vs. actors adding it themselves. and if you not credited on TV it usually will say such.
Wow. Ignorance is bliss.
yayayarat 3 years ago
Regarding your statment: "...99% of all casting directors for TV and film use... " IMDB.
Would you please name all 99% to which you refer?
I'm glad I made you laugh. I do enjoy owning your emotions and behaviour.
DrChebutykin 3 years ago
Well Doc. it is funny that you are that behind in the times. I just got back from lunch with friends, two of which are Casting Directors on top 10 network TV shows, 1 agent and a manager. All four said IMDBpro is on the computer all day long and used first when looking for talent or to find who is repped by who. Then for good measure I emailed a few other Casting Friends and yep, same response.
that and you don't put yourself on there, but the production goes.
Good luck my friend.
yayayarat 3 years ago
First, thank you for your kind words about my video reply to this one. I do appreciate that. It would be helpful if middleclassactor would approve it as a video comment - it's why I made it and it's waiting in his queue, but he won't approve it.
Second, a gentle bit of support for what has been said about IMDB/IMDBpro. Whoever said that 99 percent of the casting directors use it is absolutely correct. I intern at UDK, and all 10 of the CD's there have it, Breakdowns and CastIT up all day.
davidhlawrence 3 years ago
You may be doing yourself a disservice by not having yourself on IMDB. On the other hand, and I'm not sure in what period you had those 137 working days, you may know enough of the current crop of CD's not to have to worry about it yet. I wouldn't want to be left out of a free, often-used channel like IMDB if that's where my customers are constantly looking.
davidhlawrence 3 years ago
I have interned at 5 office in my time in Los Angeles and have to say that in every office IMDB and IMDB pro are up on computers all day. It is the first place to look for talent information.
yayayarat 3 years ago
So what? I've worked for years in series television and let it slack off. I do make most of my income in voice over acting now. Recently I have started going back out for episodic work. Do I NOT have a right to do that? And if you think residuals should be done away with, I many people in this industry will become truly needy people.
middleclassactor 3 years ago
I respect all actors and have been as respectful as possible to your POV on this, but to look at actors access as an industry resource and to make that claim as what is going on with webisodes. You don't mention any of the contract points. The sunset clause, the covered performer clause or the fact that SAG has no leverage to strike. Your video has gotten a lot of publicity, but to those in LA who work regularly and have been a part of this process from the start, your video is short-sighted.
yayayarat 3 years ago
you breakdown the projects that are being cast and the non union factor. You don't mention the covered performer clause.
First as an industry "professional" you would know that actors access is a non-union, student film, short film service that agents and managers don't use, let alone know it is there. Then you use that "professional" service to highlight your case. here are some real #'s
yayayarat 3 years ago
Breakdown Express (non Actor viewable - ask an manager friend for this info) from Mon-Weds of last week.
Episodic TV: 43 casting notices
Pilots: 13 casting notices
Features: 23 casting notices
Webisodes: 4 casting notices - non are produced by AMPTP companies.
ALL UNION PROJECTS. STUDIO SUPPORTED PILOTS.
yayayarat 3 years ago
yayayarat 3 years ago
The numbers you were/are using are wrong. I agree that SAG is losing this battle, and I blame the old NED Doug Allen and the guild suing Alan Rosenberg for this mess, but to honestly think we have legs to stand on for a strike is wrong.
Strikes are leverage. We have none. This was the NETWORK TV contract. The holding point on this contract was/is Original Content by AMPTP companies.
yayayarat 3 years ago
Also -- all the major studio/network pilots in pre-production and currently casting are AFTRA jobs. Producers ARE interested in breaking up SAG, no doubt!
girlygirlindahood 3 years ago
wait. you mean I get $900,000 an hour for a webisode? awesome.
ko730 3 years ago
dude. you're talking about WEBISODES! Do you know what those are?
ko730 3 years ago
Who's making two hour "webisode movies"? Oy.
RMSpuhler 3 years ago
no one yet this is the NOW media we are fighting over.
yayayarat 3 years ago
Disney has a few coming out actually. One they just recently decided to break down into wepisodes, but it was shown over the weekend in the entirety out in Maryland.
daGOONKiE 3 years ago
Nice site. Few things. Do you know the contract? Does it have an audience. i have googled it and it is not averaging a lot of visitors. Why? it is not advertised and/or promoted. I checked the advertisers and they are all NBC driven advertisers that look to be bonused time on this site for the show. It is happening, but that is one. It has no audience and isn't financially bringing in the cash. One show in a sea of many. 2011. Sunset Clause. Covered Perfomer Clause.
yayayarat 3 years ago
So basically I just showed you TWO instances of weppy based series that are HUGE and your still in denial about HOW big they are and will continue to be. The creator of GD said it was 'very lucrative' and WHY they have contracted for ANOTHER 12-15 weppys for a second season. Disney has several coming out AND one that will be released soon via the SciFi network. So I guess you didn't want any examples of HOW big this is and it will ONLY continue to grow.
daGOONKiE 3 years ago
No. You showed me one. I looked and saw the names attached and yes it is well done. I called SAG and AFTRA to find out the contracts on them, since you won't.
Based on all web based mags, the viewership ins't that great. They are not funded by orginal advertisers, but bonus time for linear advertisers.
So its there and can happen. Where is the viewership? I am talking about fighting for this when the sake of the whole union as a whole is at risk for one series and more on the way?
yayayarat 3 years ago
I dont care about contracts 'per se', MY point rem