The current SAG contract with the studios ends at the end of this month. And from the looks of it, progress on a new deal between the SAG and the AMPTP has stalled. The dark eye of the strike looms in the near distance. Or not.

The AFTRA has already cut a deal with the AMPTP which weakens any leverage the SAG might have had. The SAG points of contention are DVD residuals, clip consent, force majeure (frees studios and SAG from liability should a strike or natural disaster or something else beyond control occurs), new media jurisdiction, product integration (SAG wants to right to refuse to do product placement), middle class actor coverage and internet residuals. But the AFTRA has already agreed to a deal without force majeure, DVD residuals, or product integration. Why would the studios bother giving in to SAG demands when the AFTRA has already danced their dance?

The SAG needs 75% of its members to support a strike if it comes to that. I suspect that members will want to work more than they will want to hold out for a deal that isn’t coming.

[Via Variety]

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