SAG Talks, Not Much Happens
Heading into the holiday weekend, there are no fireworks coming from the Screen Actors Guild.
The union briefly resumed talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and TV Producers today, but the meeting ended with SAG asking for more time to review the new contract the studios have proposed.
On Tuesday, SAG executive director Doug Allen said the deal as it stands is sorely lacking in the new-media residuals department.
SAG reps said they would contact the AMPTP on Monday, but no other sit-downs have been scheduled. The actors’ previous contract with the alliance expired yesterday at 12:01 a.m.
“On Wednesday, we met at SAG’s request for four hours to answer SAG’s questions about our final offer,” the AMPTP said in a statement. “SAG asked for more time to study our final offer and indicated it will contact the Producers on Monday. We remain hopeful that SAG will advise that it is accepting our final offer.”
SAG has yet to call for a strike-authorization vote and has expressed its intention to keep its 120,000 members working under the auspices of the old contract until a new one can be hammered out.
“Guild negotiators are engaged in, and committed to, the negotiating process and are confident that an equal commitment from management will allow the parties to reach a fair agreement that serves the needs of Screen Actors Guild members, their employers and the industry,” read the statement issued by SAG Wednesday after talks ended.
As of today, cameras were still rolling on 17 major studio films, including the Da Vinci Code sequel Angels & Demons, according to a list compiled by the Hollywood Reporter, which also counted Toy Story 3 and five other animated films in production.
No plans to strike, says SAG president
There’s good news and bad news coming from the on-going talks between the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The bad news is that there has been very little progress in talks between SAG and the studios concerning a new contract.
With their current contract expiring on June 30th, SAG members are looking for higher pay for “middle-tier” actors, those making less than $100,000 a year, and a greater cut of profits from DVD and new media sales — a main sticking point during this past winter’s Writers Guild strike. In addition to those woes, there are bitter splits taking place between SAG members and those of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) after the smaller union ratified an agreement with the studios.
The good news, at least for film and television viewers, is that SAG has no immediate plans to strike.
In a statement to the press SAG president Alan Rosenberg said, “We have taken no steps to initiate a strike authorization vote by the members of Screen Actors Guild. Any talk about a strike or a management lockout at this point is simply a distraction.” Rosenberg added that SAG is coming to the negotiations in good faith to settle on a fair contract for their actors. These statements have not eased the fears of the studios: they’ve been rushing to complete their current projects before a proposed strike. Here’s hoping the union and the studios can resolve heir issues.
Jimmy Kimmel Live renewed through 2010
Have you noticed that Jimmy Kimmel Live has slowly but surely become a big force at ABC? It doesn’t do Jay Leno numbers, but the ratings have increased in the past few months, the network has given him prime real estate on prime time during the NBA Finals, and there just seems to be a buzz about the show. ABC must have noticed too because they’ve extended Kimmel’s contract through the 2010 season.
This is good news for Kimmel fans, as there has been much talk about what would happen to Kimmel if ABC were to grab Leno after Leno exits his show on NBC and Conan O’Brien takes over. Would Kimmel be pushed to 12:35 if Leno comes aboard, or even later if ABC also decided to keep Nightline? Of course, there’s no word on whether or not this new contract guarantees Kimmel the 12:05am slot. Leno leaves his show in 2009.
I hope Kimmel stays around for a long time. I can’t get into his musical guests, but he has the best monlogue on late night, in my opinion.
Vanessa Hudgens Househunts, Hits the Gym
Vanessa Hudgens Househunts, Hits the Gym
With a new contract rumored to be in the works, Vanessa Hudgens looks to be itching to spend a little of her soon-to-be BIG bank account.
The High School Musical sweetheart started off her Wednesday by checking out a few $2 million dollar homes in the Hollywood Hills.
Vanessa looked at five houses by the time she was finished up, with an agent by her side the entire way through.
Later in the day, the 18-year-old actress headed to the gym with her father, who allegedly splashed a photographer with water as they left. Vanessa seemed to be surprised by her father’s actions and yelled “Dad” at him.