Video game voice actors and motion-capture performers have called a strike over failed labor contract negotiations focused around AI-related protections for staff, bringing about one other work stoppage in Hollywood.
The SAG-AFTRA has called a strike of the Interactive Media Agreement that covers video game performers, effective Friday, the union said Thursday.
The choice follows months of negotiations with major videogame firms including Activision Productions, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, Disney Character Voices and Warner Bros Discovery’s WB Games.
The Interactive Media Agreement expired in November 2022 and was being prolonged on a monthly basis throughout the talks.
“Although agreements have been reached on many issues vital to SAG-AFTRA members, the employers refuse to plainly affirm, in clear and enforceable language, that they’ll protect all performers covered by this contract of their AI language,” the union said in an announcement.
The SAG-AFTRA also represents the film and tv actors who went on strike in July last yr over concerns of inadequate safeguards against artificial intelligence, putting Hollywood within the midst of two simultaneous work stoppages for the primary time in 63 years.
Other than AI protections, the SAG-AFTRA’s most pressing issues within the contract negotiations for videogame performers are higher pay, medical treatment and breaks for motion capture performers.
SAG-AFTRA is searching for wage increases for videogame performers, saying their pay has not kept pace with inflation, and pursuing more protections for the motion-capture performers who wear markers or sensors on the skin or a body suit to assist game makers create character movements.
“We’re disillusioned the union has chosen to walk away after we are so near a deal, and we remain prepared to resume negotiations. We’ve already found common ground on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and extra safety provisions,” said Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the videogame producers party to the Interactive Media Agreement.
The offer presented to the SAG-AFTRA features AI protections that include requiring consent and fair compensation to all performers working under the IMA, Cooling said.
Video game voice actors and motion-capture performers have called a strike over failed labor contract negotiations focused around AI-related protections for staff, bringing about one other work stoppage in Hollywood.
The SAG-AFTRA has called a strike of the Interactive Media Agreement that covers video game performers, effective Friday, the union said Thursday.
The choice follows months of negotiations with major videogame firms including Activision Productions, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, Disney Character Voices and Warner Bros Discovery’s WB Games.
The Interactive Media Agreement expired in November 2022 and was being prolonged on a monthly basis throughout the talks.
“Although agreements have been reached on many issues vital to SAG-AFTRA members, the employers refuse to plainly affirm, in clear and enforceable language, that they’ll protect all performers covered by this contract of their AI language,” the union said in an announcement.
The SAG-AFTRA also represents the film and tv actors who went on strike in July last yr over concerns of inadequate safeguards against artificial intelligence, putting Hollywood within the midst of two simultaneous work stoppages for the primary time in 63 years.
Other than AI protections, the SAG-AFTRA’s most pressing issues within the contract negotiations for videogame performers are higher pay, medical treatment and breaks for motion capture performers.
SAG-AFTRA is searching for wage increases for videogame performers, saying their pay has not kept pace with inflation, and pursuing more protections for the motion-capture performers who wear markers or sensors on the skin or a body suit to assist game makers create character movements.
“We’re disillusioned the union has chosen to walk away after we are so near a deal, and we remain prepared to resume negotiations. We’ve already found common ground on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and extra safety provisions,” said Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the videogame producers party to the Interactive Media Agreement.
The offer presented to the SAG-AFTRA features AI protections that include requiring consent and fair compensation to all performers working under the IMA, Cooling said.
