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SAG-AFTRA and Video Game Employers Reach a Tentative Agreement on Interactive Media Contract. National Board to Review

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SAG-Aftra Interactive Media Agreement

Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the signatory video game companies, which include Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Epic Games Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Take 2 Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc. have reached a tentative agreement on terms for the Interactive Media Contract, subject to review and approval by the National Board and ratification by the membership in the coming weeks. Specific details of the agreement will be released with the ratification materials.

It is expected the terms of a strike suspension agreement will be finalized with employers soon. Until such agreement is reached, however, SAG-AFTRA members will remain on strike against these employers.

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said:

Everyone at SAG-AFTRA is immensely grateful for the sacrifices made by video game performers and the dedication of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee throughout these many months of the video game strike. Patience and persistence has resulted in a deal that puts in place the necessary A.I. guardrails that defend performers’ livelihoods in the A.I. age, alongside other important gains. Thank you, Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Chair Sarah Elmaleh and Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez for your hard work and advocacy in pursuit of this contract.

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher stated:

Our video game performers stood strong against the biggest employers in one of the world’s most lucrative industries. Their incredible courage and persistence, combined with the tireless work of our negotiating committee, has at last secured a deal. The needle has been moved forward and we are much better off than before. As soon as this is ratified we roll up our sleeves and begin to plan the next negotiation. Every contract is a work in progress and progress is the name of the game.

SAG-AFTRA members have been on strike against video game employers since July 26, 2024. Prior to that, SAG-AFTRA members approved a video game strike authorization in September 2023 with a 98.32% yes vote.

SAG-AFTRA files an Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against Llama Productions over Darth Vader AI in Fortnite

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SAG-Aftra Interactive Media Agreement

The use of AI in entertainment has been a hot topic in recent years with a lot of negotiations and strikes regarding the topic. At the heart is the want of producers of content to be able to use AI to replicate actors, using their likeness and voice. The actors obviously want to be fairly compensated for that or it not to be used at all as the rise of this “creation” would diminish opportunities and endanger their livelihood.

Fortnite is currently doing a Star Wars crossover and that includes the replacement of human performers with AI technology which has caused SAG-AFTRA to not only speak out but take action.

SAG-AFTRA has released a statement as well as filed an “unfair labor practice charge” against Llama Productions to the NLRB. You can see a copy of that filing below.

We celebrate the right of our members and their estates to control the use of their digital replicas and welcome the use of new technologies to allow new generations to share in the enjoyment of those legacies and renowned roles. However, we must protect our right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members, including those who previously did the work of matching Darth Vader’s iconic rhythm and tone in video games.

Fortnite’s signatory company, Llama Productions, chose to replace the work of human performers with A.I. technology. Unfortunately, they did so without providing any notice of their intent to do this and without bargaining with us over appropriate terms. As such, we have filed an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB against Llama Productions.

In that filing SAG-AFTRA charges:

Within the past six months, the Employer, by its agents and representatives, failed and refused to bargain in good faith with the union by making unilateral changes to terms and conditions of employment, without providing notice to the union or the opportunity to bargain, by utilizing AI-generated voices to replace bargaining unit work on the Interactive Program Fortnite.

SAG-AFTRA has negotiating an Interactive Media Agreement with video game producers with a strike that began in July and remains in effect.

SAG-AFTRA went on strike against some of the largest game companies in July, after more than 18 months of negotiation during which employers refused to agree to A.I. terms that would protect all SAG-AFTRA members who work on video games. Meanwhile, more than 100 video games have been signed to the union’s Interim Agreement and Tiered Budget Independent Agreement, which contain the protections SAG-AFTRA was seeking, showing that the union’s terms are reasonable and feasible for business.

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SAG-AFTRA and Nickelodeon Reach a Tentative Agreement

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SAG-AFTRA logo

Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and Nickelodeon have reached a tentative agreement on terms for their 2025 SAG-AFTRA/Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Inc. Basic Cable Television Animation Agreement (“Nickelodeon Animation Agreement”).

The Nickelodeon Animation Agreement is the contract covering animated programs for Nickelodeon basic cable and Paramount+ (The Loud House, Patrick Star Show, Kamp Koral, Rock Paper Scissors, Rugrats, Dora the Explorer, etc.). 

Among the highlights of the contract are: 

  • Pay increases worth over $3.25 million dollars in instant gains for members.
  • Retained higher Legacy rates.
  • Increased rates for Interstitials.
  • Increased promo tag rate to $93 per tag.
  • Special allocation of Health and Retirement contributions increase 75% to Health, 25% to Retirement.
  • New 25% premium for multitracking/sweetening.
  • Incorporate the updated Television Animation Agreement Made For New Media Sideletter, which includes 2023 SVOD budgets for animation, SVOD residuals improvements, a Success Bonus, new AVOD terms.
  • Increased clip use payments. 
  • Payment due date moved up to 5 business days.
  • Substantial artificial intelligence protections and gains for voice actors from the Television Animation Agreement, that will automatically conform to any updated provisions secured in upcoming negotiations on that contract. These A.I. protections include:
    • Specific language acknowledging that the term “voice actors” includes only humans and that acknowledges the importance of human voice acting.
    • Removal of the requirement that a digital replica must exclusively sound like the recognizable natural voice of an actor in order to be protected. 
    • Language specifying that “employment-based digital replicas” need only be recognized and identifiable via contracts and other regular business documents, confirming that it was in fact the performer’s voice used to make the replica.  
    • Language specifying that “independently created digital replicas” need only sound like the “character voice” from which the replica was created. 
    • Confirmation that if the voice actor’s performance is digitally altered into a foreign language, the voice actor shall be eligible for residuals based on the distribution of the foreign language version.
    • Language clarifying that when prompting a generative artificial intelligence system with a performer name or names, consent of those performers is required. The contract has removed the requirement, which exists in live action, that a “major facial feature” be included in the prompt with no substitute for that criterion.
    • The establishment of regular, mandatory artificial intelligence meetings with producers, which will include discussion of methods and systems to track the use of digital replicas.

The 2025 SAG-AFTRA/Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Inc. Basic Cable Television Animation Agreement is a three-year contract that will be considered for ratification by SAG-AFTRA’s National Board. 

Abrams Books Employees Announce Vote to Unionize

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Abrams UAW Local 2110

Unionization in the “geek space” was a big thing for a bit and then just seemed to peter out. But, employees at Abrams Books are looking to be the latest. On Monday, the United Auto Workers, Local 2110 petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to allow Abrams’ employees to vote on whether to unionize. Editors, publicists, marketers, production managers, designers, managing editors, sales, distribution, mailroom, IT, and finance staffers would be eligible to vote.

Wages are at the center for the want to unionize. Entry-level salaries for employees at the Big Five publishing houses are about $50,000 a year, Entry-level salaries at Abrams remain at $40,000. That, as well as a lack of job security and the need for greater transparency are reasons for the unionization attempt.

Sarah Robbins, an associate editor for five years said:

The work we do at the company is essential. Without our labor, Abrams couldn’t publish any books. We want to be heard and treated with respect, which includes fair wages and better job protections.

Abrams is aware of the UAW’s request to the NLRB but has not released a comment.

Abrams, founded in 1949, publishes art books, graphic novels, comics, and children’s books. It’s the home of the wildly successful Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series.

UAW Local 2110 also represents employees at HarperCollins, the New Press, and the Asian American Writers Workshop.

(via Publisher’s Weekly)

SAG-AFTRA Leaders Head to Capitol Hill to reintroduce the NO FAKES Act

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SAG-AFTRA logo

Today, a press conference was held celebrating the SAG-AFTRA-supported, bi-partisan Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act as it was reintroduced in the Senate. If passed, the bill — sponsored by Sens. Marsha Blackburn, Chris Coons, Amy Klobuchar, and Thom Tillis — would establish a federal right in voice and likeness to protect against unauthorized use of digital replicas in audiovisual works and sound recordings. 

The legislation goes beyond protecting actors, recording artists, and broadcasters, but also targets deepfakes which can, and have, ruined lives. It protects individuals from harm and also the creative community that rely on their face and voice for their livelihood. With it, individuals can demand platforms to remove illegal voice and image clones. Also, individuals would be able to seek damages from those who intentionally cause harm.

The NO FAKES Act would preserve existing protections at the state level, such as Tennessee’s landmark SAG-AFTRA-supported ELVIS Act and California’s SAG-AFTRA-sponsored AB2602, while providing one strong, consent-based framework for digital replica uses in expressive works nationwide. 

SAG-AFTRA Introduces a New Independent Agreement for Video Game Localization

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SAG-Aftra Interactive Media Agreement

SAG-AFTRA has announced its introduction of the Independent Interactive Localization Agreement. This agreement, which contains the same streamlined, easy to understand baseline terms as the union’s Tiered Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement, covers localization of video game projects produced in a language other than English. In addition to A.I. protections, the new agreement includes expanded session and voiceprint options for both principal and atmospheric roles as compared to the original Localization Agreement. All contract language was based on direct feedback from the community that does this work.

With over 130 video game projects currently signed to the union’s interim and independent agreements, SAG-AFTRA hopes this new Independent Interactive Localization Agreement will benefit companies who are willing to agree to the union’s terms by allowing them to hire SAG-AFTRA talent. The agreement will also provide employment opportunities to performers who work in video game localization — a process in which an actor replaces the dialogue from a foreign language to English.

The full text of the agreement, a rate sheet, and a Producers Guide are available for review in SAG-AFTRA’s digital Production Center.

The SAG-AFTRA strike against all signatories to the Interactive Media Agreement remains in effect, with the exception of games signed to the Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement, the Interim Interactive Media Agreement and now the Independent Interactive Localization Agreement. 

SAG-AFTRA and Ethovox sign an agreement that empowers actors and secures A.I. guardrails

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SAG-AFTRA and Ethovox

SAG-AFTRA and Ethovox have announced a new agreement that ensures performers are protected and empowered in the A.I. age. 

Co-founded by BAFTA Games Award-winner Cissy Jones, Ethovox is building a fully-authenticated foundational A.I. model for voice. In addition to ensuring performers can participate in Ethovox’s consensual foundational model knowing that they will be protected and compensated fairly, the voice model will reflect a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Further, the SAG-AFTRA-Ethovox contract leads the field in performer compensation as it provides both session fees and ongoing revenue sharing for the life of the foundational model.

A foundational voice model provides the basis for digital replicas. It requires volumes of underlying voice data to enable the replicas to function properly. The Ethovox model will not be user-facing, and the voices included in the model will not be identifiable in any of the speech generated. 

The Ethovox Agreement was approved by the union’s Corporate/Educational & Non-Broadcast Committee and was additionally presented to and approved by SAG-AFTRA’s National Executive Committee.

Those who would like to learn more can visit www.sagaftra.org/ethovox.

The SAG-AFTRA Strike Continues with Negotiations Extended

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SAG-Aftra Interactive Media Agreement

After three days of scheduled negotiations, SAG-AFTRA has announced that Interactive Media Agreement negotiations with employers would continue, with new dates to be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

Negotiations resumed with the employer unit which includes Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Llama Productions LLC, Take 2 Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc. on October 23.

The SAG-AFTRA strike against all signatories to the Interactive Media Agreement began in July and remains in effect, with the exception of games signed to the Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement or an Interim Interactive Media Agreement.

SAG-AFTRA went on strike against some of the largest game companies in July, after more than 18 months of negotiation during which employers refused to agree to A.I. terms that would protect all SAG-AFTRA members who work on video games. Meanwhile, more than 100 video games have been signed to the union’s Interim Agreement and Tiered Budget Independent Agreement, which contain the protections SAG-AFTRA was seeking, showing that the union’s terms are reasonable and feasible for business.

International Federation of Actors Declares Support for SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strike

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SAG-Aftra Interactive Media Agreement

The International Federation of Actors has issued a resolution declaring its support for SAG-AFTRA’s video game strike. The Executive Committee of the union federation, which goes by FIA, its French acronym, and represents performers unions from some 60 countries, voted unanimously in favor of the decisive statement during its meeting in New Zealand.  

The resolution, which was proposed jointly by Actors’ Equity Association, Canada’s ACTRA, and Equity UK, along with performers unions from Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and Uruguay, reads, in part, “FIA and its affiliates express unwavering support for SAG-AFTRA and its members in their stand against corporate exploitation, the unchecked use of A.I., and their broader fight for fair wages, reasonable working conditions, as well as the protection of performers’ rights and creative contributions to the video game industry.

“FIA and its member unions worldwide will continue to show solidarity with SAG-AFTRA, offering all legally permissible support for as long as necessary to ensure that the integrity and rights of performers are upheld, and to deter any attempts by video game companies to circumvent the terms of the strike by seeking to engage talent outside union agreements.” 

FIA held its Executive Committee meeting in Auckland from Oct. 1–4. At the meeting, members discussed a variety of issues impacting entertainment professionals around the globe, including artificial intelligence, which is the central issue in the video game strike and one of the main factors leading to last year’s TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike. FIA’s president, Gabrielle Carteris, is the former president of SAG-AFTRA, and the first American to hold the seat.

SAG-AFTRA went on strike against some of the largest game companies in July, after more than 18 months of negotiation during which employers refused to agree to A.I. terms that would protect all SAG-AFTRA members who work on video games. Meanwhile, more than 100 video games have been signed to the union’s Interim Agreement and Tiered Budget Independent Agreement, which contain the protections SAG-AFTRA was seeking, showing that the union’s terms are reasonable and feasible for business.

SAG-AFTRA and the convenience bargaining group with whom the union negotiates its Interactive Media Agreement will resume negotiations on Wednesday, October 23. The convenience bargaining group includes Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Llama Productions LLC, Take 2 Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc.

SAG-AFTRA Video Game Performers will hold a picket outside Activision on October 16

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SAG-Aftra Interactive Media Agreement

SAG-AFTRA will be holding a picket at Activision on Wednesday, October 16. SAG-AFTRA members who perform in video games went on strike against all video game companies signed to the Interactive Media Agreement, effective 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 26.

SAG-AFTRA is striking this contract so that members working in interactive media (video games) can continue earning a living doing the job they love. Our members’ work and likenesses are being exploited by artificial intelligence, and video game companies have refused to offer a fair deal that addresses this existential threat.

Where: Activision Productions Inc.; 2701 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404      
When: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 9 a.m. – 12 Noon PT

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