SAG-AFTRA

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation headquarters just got a multimillion-dollar makeover. Introducing the new Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists, a stunning 15,000-square-foot facility with a screening room, on-camera studio and voiceover lab. Foundation Executive Director Cyd Wilson takes listeners on a behind-the-scenes tour, revealing how the new Center supports performers through free educational...

In this episode, we bring you a panel discussion from LA Comic-Con 2024 that shines a light on the often-unseen world of video game character creation. Moderated by Linsay Rousseau, the panel features industry experts and SAG-AFTRA members Sarah Elmaleh, Jasiri Booker, Andi Norris, and Seth Allyn Austin. These talented artists discuss the intricate process of bringing video game characters to life...

October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and promotes inclusive employment practices. To update us on disability representation in the entertainment industry, we're joined by two esteemed SAG-AFTRA members, Christine Bruno and Nic Novicki. Bruno is chair of the National and New York Local Performers with D...

The last few years have been challenging for those in the entertainment industry, as our members and other workers have experienced a slowdown in production. But what's the cause? Some think it was the strikes last year; others think broader economic forces are really at play. SAG-AFTRA Chief Economist David Vivano joins the podcast to offer expert analysis on geographical trends in production, th...

What do young performers need to know in 2024 and beyond, and how can their families nurture and protect them? As we navigate an era of rapid technological change and expanding media platforms, it's more important than ever to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing our youngest members. To help explore this important topic, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator D...

SAG-AFTRA and the AFL-CIO hosted the 2024 Labor Innovation & Technology Summit in Las Vegas earlier this year. In this episode commemorating Labor Day, we replay an illuminating panel discussion called "Workers' Rights In The Age of Tech," which features prominent labor leaders addressing the critical intersection of technology and workers' rights. The panel was hosted by AFL-CIO President Liz Shu...

SAG-AFTRA recently secured a new agreement that marks a significant milestone in the union's ongoing efforts to protect performers in the age of artificial intelligence. The agreement with the online platform Narrativ establishes crucial protections and opportunities for voice performers working in audio commercials. To explore the key details of this agreement and how it will affect and benefit m...

After more than eighteen months of negotiations, time has run out! As of July 26 at 12:01 a.m., SAG-AFTRA members who perform in video games have been on strike against their employers — the major video game companies! Find out what's next as  SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, DuncanCrabtree-Ireland talks to a panel of experts about the key issues at stake. Guests this we...

Listen in on last week's Comic-Con 2024 panel, featuring top game performers Ashly Burch, Noshir Dalal, Sarah Elmaleh and Shannon Woodward. The actors talk about the unique challenges of voice and movement performance in video games, the threat of AI to their profession, and the irreplaceable role of human performance. They also discuss SAG-AFTRA's recent strike against major game publishers and t...

In part 2 of our series on contract negotiations, we explore the bargaining and ratification process, including communication with other unions before talks begin, the structure and dynamic of different negotiation sessions, and the challenges in achieving the union's desired contract terms. Our panel of demystifiers includes SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtr...

SAG-AFTRA regularly negotiates contracts with major studios, networks, and production companies. It's a complex process that most members don't get to see up close. That's why we're excited to bring you this two-part series that breaks down what happens behind those doors. In this episode, we focus on the early stages of negotiations, from researching trends to getting critical member input. Our p...

You know Paul W. Downs as a writer, director, co-creator and star of the comedy series Hacks. But you may not know Paul has been an active and outspoken champion of SAG-AFTRA and the WGA. In this episode, Paul shares his journey from getting his SAG-AFTRA card to advocating for fair contracts during last year's writer and actor strikes. He talks about balancing acting, directing and show-running w...

Artificial Intelligence has been in the news lately, sparking debates and making headlines. In this episode, we give an update about developments happening in A.I. impacting SAG-AFTRA members and the creative community.  We talk about the significance of the high-profile dispute between actor/member Scarlett Johansson and OpenAI over the company's use of a voice virtually indistinguishable from he...

In this episode, we explore the rapidly growing world of influencers and how SAG-AFTRA supports and protects them through its groundbreaking Influencer Agreement and Influencer Waiver. Sidney Raskind, a TikTok and Instagram creator with over 5 million followers, shares his journey to digital success and the challenges faced by influencers. Joining the show is SAG-AFTRA Manager of Contract Strategi...

On April 30, the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary's subcommittee on intellectual property will hold a hearing on the NO FAKES Act. The bipartisan proposal would protect all people's voices, images and likeness from unauthorized recreations from generative A.I. In this episode, host and SAG AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland is joined by two people with intimate knowled...

From heroes to villains, video game characters drive compelling narratives and make our favorite games engaging. But who is the talent behind the performances, what are the challenges they face, and what skills do they possess to become accomplished in this field? To find out, we are joined by performance capture actor Noshir Dalal. Nosh, as he is known, has starred as Charles Smith in Red Dead Re...

How will A.I. affect the entertainment business, and what is SAG-AFTRA doing to defend its members? SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland tackled those crucial topics and more in a recent panel discussion at SXSW. In this episode, we listen to portions of a live fireside chat between Duncan and Fast Company Editor-in-Chief Brendan Vaughan. **The views e...

The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards occurred at the Shrine Auditorium in LA  on February 24, streaming live globally on Netflix for the first time. The night was filled with surprises, laughs, tears, and some truly historic firsts. Executive Producer Jon Brockett, Director Alex Rudzinski, and Head Writer Matt Roberts join the podcast to walk us through the highlights and give us the scoop o...

Several states have introduced legislation to curb unauthorized and abusive uses of AI, and both the House and Senate have introduced legislation to strengthen image and voice likeness protections. The No Fakes Act and the No AI Fraud Act are bipartisan efforts to address, on a Federal level, the increasing threat of AI and digital clones to the rights of SAG-AFTRA members and other performers. In...

What are the newest tech trends shaping 2024 and beyond, and what will be their impact, both good and bad, on the entertainment industry? Brian Comiskey, the Director of Thematic Programs and resident Futurist at the Consumer Technology Association, joins the show to tackle this important topic. Brian studies how the latest technology trends will shape tomorrow, covering a variety of sectors, incl...

Earlier this month, SAG-AFTRA and its partners, the AFL-CIO and AFL-CIO Tech Institute, hosted the 5th Annual Labor Innovation & Technology Summit (LIT) in Las Vegas. The Summit brought together leaders from across the labor movement, entertainment sector, and technology space to discuss what innovation means for the future of workers. In this episode, we hear some powerful and thought-provoking m...

In this episode recorded last spring, we revisit our conversation with Sam Valentine, the host of the popular podcast "One Broke Actress." Sam shares tips for working actors to create a healthy lifestyle that works for them financially, creatively, physically and mentally. The episode dives into life as an actor between jobs, auditions and acting classes. It also highlights the importance of plann...

Many SAG-AFTRA members have questions about AI provisions in the recently ratified 2023 TV/Theatrical Contract. To help clarify, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Contract Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, and SAG-AFTRA General Counsel Jeffrey Bennett recently hosted an Instagram Live in a spirited and informative conversation. This episode is a replay of the session. **The views e...

Will AI take our jobs? Will we ever see decent residuals from a streaming service? Is the self-tape process going to get better for actors? These are just some of the hundreds of questions from SAG-AFTRA members about the tentative 2023 TV/Theatrical Contracts. To help explain the new benefits and protections the 2023 contract offers, National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtre...

SAG-AFTRA's vibrant picket lines would not be possible without the tireless direction of our Strike Captains, who ensure that the daily activities run effectively, smoothly and safely. In this episode, we talk to captains from coast to coast about what they do, the inspiring sights they've seen, and what they've learned about the union and themselves during these intense days. **The views expresse...