SAG-AFTRA

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...

SAG-AFTRA's fight for a fair contract extends to all corners of the U.S., including all 25 locals who work under the terms of the TV/Theatrical agreement. In this episode, we talk to representatives from some of the small and mid-size locals to explore how the strike is affecting them. Guests include Gail Crouner,  a member of the SAG-AFTRA Dallas-Forth Worth local and the TV Theatrical Negotiatin...

Last month, SAG-AFTRA's National Board voted unanimously to send a strike authorization vote to SAG-AFTRA members for their ongoing negotiations with signatory video game companies and the Interactive Media Agreement. Despite earning a staggering $19 billion in revenue in 2022, these video game companies refuse to pay the voice and performance capture artists a living wage or even offer these tale...

In this episode, we take a closer look at the union's Interim Agreement, which allows SAG-AFTRA members employed on certain independent productions to proceed without violating the strike order. The terms of the agreement match SAG-AFTRA's last offer to the studios and streamers represented by the AMPTP. Our panel includes SAG-AFTRA President and chair of the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee Fr...

On July 13th, the SAG-AFTRA national board voted unanimously to issue a strike order against the studios and streamers. This historic decision was made after the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) failed to reach a deal that adequately addressed the issues most important to the union's members. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Dresher joins hosts Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and Ben Wh...

Actor and acting coach Michael D. Cohen shares his insights on the art of "specificity" for acting auditions and improving your performance. Michael talks about actor agenda vs. character agenda, knowing the character's "dream of dreams," and offers helpful tips for taped auditions. Michael's talk is a replay of a live PTEOE presentation streamed live on the SAG-AFTRA YouTube channel last March. *...

The acceleration of AI has become a hot and contentious topic for many in the entertainment industry. In this episode, we explore how SAG-AFTRA members can safely engage in this burgeoning technology and make sure they're benefitting from its opportunities. Guests include members Crispin Freeman and Sarah Elmaleh, who have lent their voices to some of the most popular video games, and SAG-AFTRA ex...

Whether they're just starting out or have been in the business for years, working actors must create a healthy lifestyle that works for them financially, creatively, physically and mentally. This episode dives into life as an actor between jobs, auditions and acting classes. Our guest is Sam Valentine, the host of the popular podcast "One Broke Actress," where she shares real-world advice, tips an...

Late last year, SAG-AFTRA introduced two new podcast contracts that make it easy for producers to be flexible and creative in covering their podcasts at all budgets. Sue-Anne Morrow, National Director/Contract Strategic Initiatives & Podcasts at SAG-AFTRA, walks us through the details of these new agreements. She's joined by Drew Rausch and Jason Silva, executive producers of the podcast Macaw, wh...