discussion ATRL Stands with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA

[Ryan]

In Support of Equitable Compensation: The ATRL Community Backs WGA and SAG-AFTRA

 

 

The ATRL community firmly extends its support to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). The current industry landscape, characterized by considerable wage disparities, insufficient residuals, and stubborn resistance from studios to cater to basic needs, demands immediate and effective remedies.

 

The WGA proposes a tiered 6%-5%-5% increase in all minimums and residual bases, along with a guaranteed second step when a screenplay hiring is for less than 250% of minimum. They also suggest a one-time increase to most residual bases by 4%-3%-2% or 2.5%. If implemented, these measures would secure writers an additional $429 million annually, vastly outstripping the AMPTP's offer of $86 million per year.

 

SAG-AFTRA's proposals include an 11% general wage increase in the first year, followed by 4% raises in each of the next two years. They demand adjustments to per diem rates to reflect inflation, improved wardrobe and fitting allowances, and enhanced provisions for major role performers and background actors. Their call for Hair and Makeup Equity underscores the necessity for all sets to include skilled hair and makeup professionals, capable of catering to diverse hair textures/styles and skin tones. Additionally, SAG-AFTRA is working to elevate the P&H contribution caps that have remained unchanged for more than 40 years.

 

One significant issue SAG-AFTRA is fighting for concerns the implications of Artificial Intelligence on human-created work. The union seeks comprehensive provisions to protect performers from unauthorized digital replication or substantial alterations to their voice, likeness, or performance using AI, insisting on informed consent and equitable compensation.

 

Despite the considerable wealth disparity in the industry, as evidenced by the AMPTP's billions in annual revenue, the compensation offered to writers and actors remains woefully inadequate. This discrepancy is amplified by the grossly inflated salaries of studio executives:

 

• David Zaslav, Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.: $498,915,318
• Ari Emanuel, Endeavor Group Holdings Inc.: $346,935,367
• Reed Hastings, Netflix: $209,780,532
• Bob Iger, Walt Disney Co.: $195,092,460
• Ted Sarandos, Netflix: $192,171,581
• Rupert Murdoch, Fox Corp.: $174,929,867
• Lachlan Murdoch, Fox Corp.: $171,359,374
• Brian Roberts, Comcast Corp.: $170,158,088
• Joseph Ianniello, Paramount Global: $152,793,125
• Patrick Whitesell, Endeavor Group Holdings Inc.: $143,584,597

 

These figures starkly contrast the average writer's income. For instance, the top-earning Hollywood executive accrued $498 million over the past five years, an amount 384 times larger than the average writer's compensation.

 

The ATRL community resolutely stands with the SAG-AFTRA and WGA, earnestly hoping for a fruitful conclusion to the strikes, resulting in necessary industry reforms. True progress must not compromise the livelihoods and rights of writers and actors - the creative lifeblood of the industry.

 

In Solidarity,

 

@ATRL Administration

[Gwendolyn]

Thank you for this wonderful post explaining what our fellow actors and writers are fighting for 

[réveuse]

Thank for you this important message! Our writers and actors need this .

[Smarticle]

I fear some ATRLers don't support 

[wowsignal14]

slay

[Gossip_Boy]

[Relampago.]

End those fat cats!

[Broken]

[DeepEnd]

Let's not get political this is a pop music site... 

[Lovett]

1 minute ago, DeepEnd said:

Let's not get political this is a pop music site... 

Stupid take.

[Ryan]

2 minutes ago, DeepEnd said:

Let's not get political this is a pop music site... 

Our very identity is political #1.

 

Supporting unions is not a political decision. It’s only political if you don’t believe unions have a right to exist because of your conservative ideology. And if so, ATRL is not the place for you.

[Lee!!]

9 minutes ago, DeepEnd said:

Let's not get political this is a pop music site... 

Isn't your avatar from a film where actors are involved, reciting lines from writers?

[réveuse]

17 minutes ago, DeepEnd said:

Let's not get political this is a pop music site... 

Excuse me, did you just actually say that?

[Stunnah]

I thought this was a music forum! Maybe we should amplify musicians' voices about streaming royalties first. 

[NoOneDiesFromLove]

these studios need to pay up 

[Peroxide]

39 minutes ago, DeepEnd said:

Let's not get political this is a pop music site... 

Supporting the strike shouldn’t be seen as “political”… jeez.

[Ryan]

12 minutes ago, Stunnah said:

I thought this was a music forum! Maybe we should amplify musicians' voices about streaming royalties first. 

We did this already years ago. If they go on strike we’ll support them too!

[Lovett]

30 minutes ago, Stunnah said:

I thought this was a music forum! Maybe we should amplify musicians' voices about streaming royalties first. 

This isn't solely a music forum though.

[JGibson]

Well said. 

[Anvarie]

Are the admins going to start paying atrl users for creating free content and driving hundreds of thousands of views to these ads plastered all over the site? 

[DeepEnd]

7 minutes ago, Anvarie said:

Are the admins going to start paying atrl users for creating free content and driving hundreds of thousands of views to these ads plastered all over the site? 

The admin n mods r as bad as the studio executives 

[Anvarie]

2 hours ago, DeepEnd said:

The admin n mods r as bad as the studio executives 

Wbk 

[JustHoran]

Good 

[liquiddiamonds]

Get them @Ryan 

 

Let’s support the minds behind the things we discuss and admire instead of those that only make a bank off of it

[harwee]

 

 

I thought I was going crazy seeing some posters here parroting anti-artist sentiments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 30, 2023 by harwee