The SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement: What We’ve Learned So Far.
Here we are, rapidly approaching the end of “Hot Labor Summer” and there does not appear to be an amicable end in sight for SAG-AFTRA members (or WGA members for that matter).
As we tend mostly to work with indie films (i.e. non-AMPTP affiliated movies), our past few weeks have been a crash course in the SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement. These agreements are being offered only to certain projects that have no AMPTP affiliation, and are truly independent. In the midst of a difficult year for this business, the Interim Agreement is a golden ticket to indie producers and filmmakers who have spent years developing and financing their project and are now ready to shoot, as well as for productions in the middle of prep who may lose their films entirely if they are forced to delay production too long.
What we appreciate about the Interim Agreement is that it protects SAG-AFTRA’s members’ interests by having independent producers agree to the key terms and asks by the Guild, while simultaneously allowing all the crew, caterers, drivers, dry cleaning services, prop and rental houses, and all the service providers keep working.
So, in the interest of not hoarding information, here’s a bunch of stuff we’ve learned along the way:
Casting-Interim Status vs. Interim Agreement Status
On the SAG-AFTRA website, there’s a list of approved productions with 2 different possible status updates.
If a production has “Casting-Interim" status listed next to it, it means the production has undergone SAG’s due diligence and has qualified for the Interim Agreement. It means the production is not AMPTP affiliated, and has signed the Interim Agreement issued to it by SAG-AFTRA. The production is now permitted to cast their project and engage with talent and talent reps.
Importantly, at this point, they have not yet become a SAG-AFTRA signatory company (presumably because they’re still undergoing the normal signatory process that was still a thing even before the strike).
If a production has "Interim Agreement" status listed next to it, it means the production has signed the Interim Agreement AND have become a SAG Signatory Company (i.e. SAG have cleared their performers to work on the project).
How Long Until Your Project Receives the Interim Agreement
There is a huge number of productions in the queue - last we heard it was more than 800. And every time we requested an update, SAG-AFTRA has patiently assured us they are slowly making their way through. Our understanding is that they’re going through the applications in order of start date (the closer the production date, the sooner the review).
The Interim Agreement is signed. Now What?
You are essentially agreeing to comply with SAG-AFTRA's best asks, and then once the collective bargaining agreement is reached with the AMPTP, the terms of that new collective bargaining agreement will govern. In sum, that means, these are just some of the new terms being agreed to: an 11% increase to SAG minimum base salary rates with an additional 4% on July 1, 2024, and further 4% bump on July 1, 2025; Schedule F increases from $65k to $114k on July 1, 2024; and a lot of changes to calculations of residuals based on budget, length and type of distribution (we won’t like, it’s confusing!).
Interim Agreements are just the first hurdle
And one more thing we’d like to share with the class - Just because you get the Interim Agreement, doesn't mean there you’re on the home stretch. You’ll still need to make sure that the performers you’re engaging with are willing and open to work during a strike and that in the event other unions/guilds form a picket line, everyone is still OK to move forward. As you’ve probably noted in reading this so far, it’s a complicated issue!
If you’re embarking on the SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement application, we hope you found this helpful. And if you’re currently undergoing the process, make like that inspiration cat poster and “hang in there!”.
Cheers and solidarity,
The E/S Collab. Team
Disclaimer: This post should not be construed as legal, commercial or financial advice and should be used for informational purposes only.