Following the historic Screen Actors Guild-America Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike, the rules of engagement for performers have changed. As an actor in Los Angeles, understanding these updates is essential to protecting yourself in a digital-first industry.
Guarding your digital replica
With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), companies often use digital replicas of celebrities without their clear consent. Under the California Labor Code section 927, you have the right to reasonably specific descriptions of how AI will use your voice or visual likeness. Crucially, these AI clauses are legally unenforceable unless legal counsel or a labor union is present during negotiations
Securing the streaming success bonus
You are entitled to a success bonus if you are part of a high-budget streaming show. As of now, the threshold is at least 20% of the service’s domestic subscribers within the first 90 days of each exhibition year. Under the new rules, studios must share confidential viewer metrics with SAG-AFTRA, making it harder for them to hide a show’s success.
Preparing for self-tape auditions
One of the major wins of the 2023 strike is establishing clear boundaries for home auditions. Casting agents cannot ask you for more than eight pages of sides for a first self-tape audition for a television or theatrical project. This can increase to 12 pages for callbacks.
Additionally, they cannot require you to provide high-quality lighting or sound and demand a turnaround of less than 48 hours for a self-tape submission.
Winning the contract war
Disputes arise when your contract’s language does not align with your actual duties on set. While the union provides protection, the fine print significantly matters because it can dictate your future security.
Seeking legal guidance can be an invaluable resource. An experienced entertainment law attorney can review your agreements and help you tailor them based on your preferences.