The outcome of the Hollywood actors’ contract vote is likely to be a close one, with actors reportedly divided over various aspects of the agreement. The current negotiations, brokered by the Screen Actors Guild, have resulted in a proposed three-year deal that would entail pay increases and other concessions for Hollywood actors. However, there have been sharp criticisms leveled against some of the provisions in the contract, leading to a split amongst Hollywood’s various guilds.
The biggest point of contention appears to be the provisions related to streaming, which many actors argue are heavily weighted in favor of the studios. Under the agreement, actors would only receive compensation for content produced and aired on streaming platforms after a two-year period, while also receiving less money overall for their labor. Furthermore, this agreement does not cover residual payments for content streamed beyond the initial two-year window, leaving actors in the dark as to how much their work might generate down the road.
In spite of the criticisms, the Screen Actors Guild has immensely improved upon the language of the agreement from the previous deal, providing more leeway for actors to receive the pay increases they deserve. The deal also includes a 13 percent raise over the next three years and an additional bonus for members who reach certain milestones in their careers. It is, however, the lack of transparency over streaming pay that is causing much of the turmoil amongst Hollywood’s actors.
In the end, it is likely the outcome of the vote could be an extremely close one. Many actors are torn between pushing for further concessions, or accepting the current agreement and working out the streaming pay issues down the line. Either way, it is an important moment for Hollywood’s actors, and their decision will have ramifications for both current and future contracts.
