This ridiculous AMPTP ad runs in Wednesday's trades despite the fact that the Screen Actors Guild has stated that it has no strike plans. But the Big Media cartel would rather engage in destructive fear-mongering rather than explain why it offered the WGA at least 10 "last best final' offers during those negotiations:
(See my two SAG/AFTRA/AMPTP articles in LA Weekly: here and here.)
Does this mean we can either strike or get a ride on a camera crane?
Comment by #44 — July 1, 2008 @ 7:43 pm
Well we know that the tenth final deal is the one the WGA took. Besides we all know that David Young has been known to stretch the truth. It’s in the best interest of the WGA to hope that SAG gets a better deal because of the favored nation clause. There is no better deal. There’s only this deal. Maybe Tom Short can get a better deal. He’s willing to throw his members under the bus.
Comment by just a thought — July 1, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
SAG is saying they are different than everyone else, but they choose to accept other guilds choices, example…wga got 10 last deals, so we should also…
SAG is picking and choosing whatever pleases them from a PR point of view. Accept the fact that you have LOST, because there is NO way to come out of this a winner.
Comment by betty — July 1, 2008 @ 8:01 pm
No, #44, what it means is that SAG has no leverage, they know it, we know it and the AMPTP knows it. Like the WGA, they’re showing up to a gun fight, with nothing more than a pocket knife.
I believe that actors deserve what ever they ask for, as did the writers, as do us folks BTL. But deserve really has nothing to do with it. Unless you have the leverage to force the other side to give it to you. And they don’t. Nor do we.
Whether it’s the new world order, a new economic partnership or global economics, doesn’t matter, it’s the way it is. Until all the hollywood guilds and unions stop fighting amongst themselves approach this business for what it’s become, a global enterprise, we’ll be lucky to see new contracts that preserve MOST of what we have now, let alone actually gain something.
SAG is just posturing, and everyone knows it.
Comment by #45 — July 1, 2008 @ 8:17 pm
#44 Now that’s F@#king funny!
It means the AMPTP is scared. There’s no other reason they would run an Ad like this - to create fear and fighting amongst the people. They know SAG is the most powerful of all the film unions (check out http://www.sag.org). The mistake that SAG made was it should have gone first in the negotiations of all the unions - SAG would have shut this town down in one day and than made a great deal, which could have been used as a template for the rest (WGA, DGA and AFTRA). Now we have to do it backwards - but don’t worry it will be done, it’s going to get loud, but it will get done… All the other unions are secretly cheering us (SAG) on - we (SAG, DGA, WGA and AFTRA) have a favored nation clause, so what ever gains we make, they get them too.
Keep the faith. There will be no Strike!
Comment by John — July 1, 2008 @ 8:17 pm
Time to join us in the real world, AMPTP, not you’re imaginary ones. The rest of us know what’s happening is, in fact, what’s happening, and not what you say will occur.
Comment by Caitlin — July 1, 2008 @ 8:21 pm
I don’t think that the focus is the only thing being pulled with this ad.
Comment by A Grip's Wife — July 1, 2008 @ 8:29 pm
#44-
“That’s not a toy to impress your lady friends Bond”
Comment by notgoingtoTip — July 1, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
Hey editors do you recognize that photo of the crew on the camera crane.
I believe it is borrowed from the Avid start-up picture.
Just another piece of the puzzle.
But seriously, have a great 4th of July and maybe someday we will all be back to work.
Comment by BTL and sinking fast — July 1, 2008 @ 9:07 pm
do you know how a crane shot is made. You first find where the shots ends and work your way backwards to where the shot begins. This shot began with the writers and end with the actors
Comment by just a thought — July 1, 2008 @ 9:30 pm
Memo to John:
The AMPTP is not scared. That is delusional thinking. They have all the leverage. SAG is not the most powerful, but the most dysfunctional of the labor unions. SAG would have shut this town down and made a deal in one day? In what universe? They’re where they are because of poor leadership and lack of negotiating skills. As #45 said, they brought a pen-knife (the Allens) to a gun fight.
Comment by scott — July 1, 2008 @ 10:06 pm
What the AMPTP doesn’t want you to know:
1. Residuals protect more than just actors. Why?
Low Residuals = Cheap Reruns
Cheap Reruns = MORE Reruns
Reruns don’t hire Grips, Electrics, Carpenters, Teamsters, Prop Masters, Caterers, Camera Operators, or ANYONE for that matter.
THERE ARE NO “ECONOMIC GAINS” IN CHEAP RERUNS.
Except for the AMPTP.
Comment by Anonymous — July 1, 2008 @ 10:16 pm
Oh, it’s getting interesting. Actor’s getting educated, new information coming out daily about what low-life’s the AMPTP and AFTRA have been in their collusive, underhanded, cluster-fucking of SAG. It’s beginning to blow up in their faces, and I’m beginning to think that if the AFTRA vote doesn’t go our way, it’s still only a question of time before we get the entirely fair, reasonable, and long overdue things we’re asking for. Think SAG won’t strike because we’re “backed into a corner?” Willing to bet your career on it Mr. Suit? Why? Because, when it comes right down to it: actors don’t give a rats ass what suits think, or the trades - butt-boys for the industry so they don’t lose their advertising - or agents, or union whores (AFTRA leadership)who sell out their “sister” union - word gets around - fast. And word is just NOW getting fully around, and it’s only gonna get worse for the AMPTP and the leadership of AFTRA that made this deal with the devil. The stars who stood with SAG? Will be remembered. The stars who didn’t? Will be remembered too. I’d love to see the reception Tom Hanks gets the next time he gets on stage at the SAG awards. Oh, baby. Talk about an arrogant, out of touch with the middle class actor (the VAST MAJORITY OF THE UNION) move. We won’t forget Tommy-boy.
Comment by Dan300 — July 1, 2008 @ 10:18 pm
What the AMPTP doesn’t want you to know:
2. When the union is ready and willing to come to work, but management refuses to provide the facilities, materials or financing, that’s not called a strike.
It’s called a lockout.
SAG has not stopped one day of work for anyone. We continued to work through the Writer’s Strike, supporting their picket lines in our time off. We have been auditioning and going to work every day since, and we will continue auditioning and going to work tomorrow.
Comment by Anonymous — July 1, 2008 @ 10:23 pm
What the AMPTP doesn’t want you to know:
3. Product Integration is NOT THE SAME for writers and directors as it is for actors.
A WGA member can write the line, “Hey I think I’ll have a delicious Coca-Cola! It’s my favorite thirst-quenching beverage!”
A DGA member can direct an actor to say it.
Then they can BOTH go to work next week and do the same for Pepsi.
A SAG member, once he or she SAYS the line for the camera, CAN NOT. Pepsi will not hire that actor for their commercials, they will not want that actor for their shows. Just ask Will Arnett.
Comment by Anonymous — July 1, 2008 @ 10:31 pm
To: Scott/AMPTP Big Media Cartel,
I think he said Pocket knife, not Pen-knife — but anyways if you were paying attention you would be reading the Ad(AMPTP) more closely, it clearly spells fear on all angles. Just like Nikki Finke said and just like your reaction to my post, like a scared little AMPTP child - Fearfully. What’s wrong with SAG getting the best deal possible? They have made it very clear that they are not going to Strike. So what’s your beef?
As for AMPTP having all the leverage. What leverage do you have with no talent(Actors, Writers and Directors)? None. You can sit in your office all day long and do what with no Film/Television productions?
So YES SAG is the most powerful and maybe somewhat dysfunctional union. But name me one union that isn’t? Without Actors what are you going to shoot? The Crafts Service table. Think about it…
ox,
Johnny
p.s. Like Nikki Finke said the AMPTP Strike Fear-Mongering in Trades. Just like your reaction.
Comment by John — July 1, 2008 @ 10:46 pm
You nailed it #45.
Comment by Harold — July 1, 2008 @ 10:53 pm
Just look at quarter life to see the future. Bad writing bad acting.
Comment by just a thought — July 2, 2008 @ 12:31 am
Just look at quarter life to see the future. Bad writing bad acting.
Yes, I’ll say any old shit!
Comment by Just an asshole — July 2, 2008 @ 12:56 am
Why can’t SAG take the offer to the membership for a vote. Your getting as good a deal as the other unions got and the best increase in your history. Tell me when in ANY other contract negotiation you made more progress? Which one was that? Which year did you get a bigger percentage pay raise? Bigger PH&W? Bigger anything??!!!
Can’t remember?
There’s a reason we put tape on the floor to show you where to stand. Actors aren’t leaders, they are Actors. They are told what to say, where to stand, who to say it to, what to hold in their hands, how to dress, how to hold a prop. The sad part is when you start to believe your own character is actually you. Im not a negotiator but I played one on TV.
Comment by NotgoingtoTip — July 2, 2008 @ 6:15 am
To “Notgoingtotip”
“There’s a reason we put tape on the floor to show you where to stand. Actors aren’t leaders, they are Actors.”
I would love to know what you do, and watch you try and do it with only non union actors. Stay out of our fight, we send in the NED to negotiate you idiot. The actors aren’t doing the negotiation, and by your handle I can see your contempt for us, then why post on this blog under our union business.
We have an ex actor for governor currently and one that was President, are you really going to try and make us all waiters who need to be told where to stand? Go post somewhere else they must have other links on Drudge you can troll around on.
Comment by sagmember — July 2, 2008 @ 7:17 am
sagmember-
So answer the question.
Why not give the offer to the membership to vote on? What is the reason NOT to do this?
When was the contract negotiation where you were offered more than you are now?
Im not saying SAG actors are bad at their craft. Don’t be so insecure. Im saying you don’t know how to lead. Allen isn’t an actor? HMMM did not know that.
Is it really membership first? But you won’t let them vote on a deal?
Comment by notgoingtoTip — July 2, 2008 @ 7:44 am
It’s very saddening to realize just how much propaganda and complete and utter BS that has been forced fed into the weak minds of many that post here.
All the fear that is being mongered here. So sad.
80,000 SAG members make less than $1000 a year from acting.
These poor wannabes can’t find real acting work, but yet for some pathetic reasons feel compelled to hang on to their SAG cards.
But now they have found a way to feel important and special via Internet blogs such as this one.
And there are happy to spout retarded drivel, without any thought. Without any common sense. Without using their own brains at all.
There are simply being used as pawns in the unnecessary battle and I guess for them, being a pawn is better than being a loser wannabe.
CBS’s Les Moonves (a former loser wannabe actor by the way) is making 37 million this year.
He makes in one day what two-thirds of SAG’s membership combined make in one year.
Pure Darwinism at its best. Les is stronger and smarter than the rest of us and he figured out how to get what he wanted.
And while he is flying around in his G5 and banging Julie Chen, the rest of us are sitting in our underwear, in front of our computers, verbally masturbating with each other and feeling good about it.
Now, as for me, I’m am going to head out to my private country club, play some golf, then sit by the pool, have some lunch, maybe a few tall, ice cold rum and cokes and enjoy the life that my SAG/AFTRA earnings have given me. And will always give me.
Fear nothing my friends.
Comment by LP — July 2, 2008 @ 8:13 am
SAG is a powerful guild in that it has a lot of members. But, as LP pointed out, very very few of them are making a living through their guild employment. Less than 15% make anything close to a living wage by acting.
This makes them nearly unique in the panoply of unions and guilds. The democratic process works very badly in a guild or union that does not offer their members any way to make a living. Despite the rhetoric, the vast majority of members have literally nothing at stake in the health of the industry or fellow entertainment guilds…
So what is this all about for them? Vague concepts of justice, anger, and free floating resentment…
And note the bitterest resentment is reserved for the guild that has the highest employment…the DGA.
Comment by a suit — July 2, 2008 @ 9:42 am
Well, I’m not in the room but I imagine they aren’t happy with the deal offered and are hoping it can get a bit better. Perhaps just a few points and maybe they will put it to a vote. They are also waiting to see what happens with the aftra vote.
I feel both leaders have made serious errors in regards to what is best for their members in how they have handled these contract talks, but they are hardly the only reason things have stalled.
Reread Nikki’s post, if big business wants us to continue to work we will, they can afford it and the writers strike cost them more money than they saved holding out, and they lost viewers they will never get back. It’s emotion over common sense. We will not be broken over this, we will not take nothing because we went last, and corporate greed is what is driving this not the artists.
Comment by sagmember — July 2, 2008 @ 9:54 am
How about if the AMPTP sends the SAG proposal to their shareholders for a vote?
Comment by Anonymous — July 2, 2008 @ 11:12 am
Anonymous-
“How about if the AMPTP sends the SAG proposal to their shareholders for a vote?”
How about you take a business class.
Shareholders don’t vote on contracts of this type. Union members vote on contracts involving union members contracts. It is incumbent upon the SAG leadership to put the contract offer up for a vote.
There is absolutely no reason why they shouldn’t let the members vote. If anyone can tell me why they shouldn’t let it go to vote, please explain. You can’t say your fighting for the members and not let them have a voice. You can’t slow and stop work without having their voices heard. Even the best PR firm in the world can’t explain this kind of hypocrisy.
The WGA, DGA, AFTRA, IATSE, TEAMSTERS all did it. SAG needs to do it now or change its name to ADD, because it has a hard time focusing on its contract and its membership.
dysfunctional is as dysfunctional does
Comment by NotgoingtoTip — July 2, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
F*CK the AMPTP. I hope piracy destroys this business.
Comment by bob-e — July 2, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
LP
I wouldnt be trashing the 80,000 who make less than 1000 a year acting. It could happen to anyone. One or tow bad movie performances by money take in and you will find yourself in the same boat as those 80,000 so SHAME ON YOU!!!
Comment by john — July 2, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
Dear Dan300,
I’m sure “Tommyboy” Hanks is quaking in his boots at the thought of you and yours being against him.
Comment by Scott — July 2, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
Dear John,
Good post, good points. But I’ll tell you what we’ll shoot. More “Real Incredible Animal” shows, more reality shows, and more AFTRA shows. And guess who gets to work on those shows? The DGA. The one union, not SAG, where nothing can be done without it.
Comment by Scott — July 2, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
I think once this ugliness is over. The guilds and unions involved should use part of the pension funds and buy stock in these companies so at the stock holders meeting we can have a collective voice.
Money is power.
Comment by just a thought — July 2, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
Well, Scott. I’ll tell you one thing. Hanks knows damn well that he made a very dicey move, one of self-interest, because he’s a big-time producer, and he’s tired of “being held hostage” by the demands of middle class actors. Say what you want, but thems fightin’ words. Thems the kind of words that put you on the wrong side of your own union for… well, till you take the dirt nap, basically. he can never undo what he’s done. Actors will always remember that, in their hour of need, Tom Hanks got behind the union that represents less than 10% of tv, as opposed to the union that covers ALL film and 90% of television - and ALL of the films he’s ever made. And why? Because he’s a big, swingin’ dick. He’s got stuff to do. Movies to shoot. Places to go. Productions to produce. Popes to meet. So, “out of my way middle-class actors - you’re starting to ANNOY me with this ‘we need protection for the internet and maybe a raise in a 25 year old dvd residual’ thing. I’m TOM HAAAAAAAAANNNKKKSSS!!!!”
He may not be quaking in his boots, but, I guarantee you there’s a small voice in the back of his head going “uh… fuck… I can never take that back… they’re gonna all be really pissed off… and, I, I, I - everybody liked me! Now? I sold out SAG for a union that makes three tv shows in some guys basement.”
Comment by Dan300 — July 2, 2008 @ 2:22 pm
Wow Dan300, tell me how you really feel. It may be that he was doing this in support of middle-class actors, knowing that the internecine warfare that is SAG vs AFTRA was going to hurt everybody. I’ll ask him the next time I see him.
Comment by Scott — July 2, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
Scott, you’re absolutely correct that the “interecine warfare” between SAG and AFTRA is going to harm every member of those two guilds.
But not as much as ratifying the AFTRA contract.
Comment by A-Listers should stay out of it — July 2, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
I don’t know about you but …………. I still wanna ride the crane.
Comment by #44 — July 2, 2008 @ 6:09 pm
you want to end SAG’s dysfunction? Very simple I think. You create a rule that to remain an active (i.e. VOTING) member of SAG you have to make a certain amount through Guild sanctioned work every year. If you don’t, you remain a member, but you pay less dues and you don’t vote. In one fell swoop, you will have changed the culture and leadership of SAG.
Done.
Comment by a suit — July 3, 2008 @ 8:37 am
Hey Suit, you really think reason and logic will be entertained by this crew of bloggers.
Comment by Scott — July 3, 2008 @ 11:41 am
suit i love that idea
Comment by John — July 3, 2008 @ 2:21 pm