Members Want Decades-Old Interactive Contract Modernized
After nearly two years of unsuccessful negotiations, SAG-AFTRA has called a strike against certain video game producers, effective at 12:01 a.m. PT today.
SAG-AFTRA is striking the following video game employers: Activision Publishing, Inc.; Blindlight, LLC; Corps of Discovery Films; Disney Character Voices, Inc.; Electronic Arts Productions, Inc.; Formosa Interactive, LLC; Insomniac Games, Inc.; Interactive Associates, Inc.; Take 2 Interactive Software; VoiceWorks Productions, Inc.; and WB Games, Inc.
The strike covers all games made by these companies that went into production after Feb. 17, 2015.
Why Are They Striking?
SAG-AFTRA tried for more than 19 months to negotiate a new deal with employers in the video game industry. Meanwhile, performers have been governed by the more than two-decade old contract still in place. That has left voice actors without the protections necessary to work in the modern video game industry. “SAG-AFTRA has gone to the negotiations table with serious concerns affecting voiceover and stunt performers,” said SAG-AFTRA Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez. “It’s time for video game employers to take our concerns seriously and negotiate a modern contract based on actor safety, industry precedent and best practices.”
“SAG-AFTRA doesn’t want to strike, who does? But we cannot stand by and watch our members suffer serious injury and put their careers at risk in the current environment,” said Keythe Farley, a voice actor, casting director, and voice director who chairs SAG-AFTRA’s Interactive Committee. “The time is now for a new contract for our members.”
The major points of contention are:
- Secondary Compensation
- Unlike many other SAG-AFTRA contracts, there is currently NOT a secondary compensation structure on any video games.
- Producers Hiding Important Information
- Transparency is lacking in the video game industry and actors need to know more about the projects that they are working on
- Employers Are Not Taking Voice Actors Seriously
- The employers have said no to most of SAG-AFTRA’s proposals and haven’t taken these negotiations seriously
- Change Has Been Slow
- The SAG-AFTRA Interactive Contract was originally written in 1994.
SAG-AFTRA members will picket Electronic Arts in Playa Vista, CA at 10:30 a.m. PT, Monday, Oct. 24.
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