Even as the Hollywood writers strike grinds on, the folks who put their words into Action! agreed to a tentative contract agreement with the major studios.
The Directors Guild of America, the union representing film and TV directors, said it inked a “historic” three-year contract with producers that addresses some of their biggest concerns.
AI: The labor deal asserts that generative AI is not a person (huge) and that it cannot replace guild members’ responsibilities.
Gun safety: The contract bans live ammunition on set following the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during the filming of Rust in 2021.
Residuals: Foreign residuals—a type of royalty that’s been eroded in the streaming era—will get a 76% bump for the biggest streaming services.
The Guild and its negotiating leaders framed the contract as a big win for directors that gives them “unprecedented gains.” The union members will show whether they concur when they vote on the proposed contract tomorrow.
Big picture: The agreement with the directors resolves just one of three high-stakes labor negotiations in Hollywood right now. As you know, more than 11,000 writers have been striking for five weeks, and actors will also vote on whether to authorize a strike by 5pm PT today.