A Strategic Tool in a Historic Strike
During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), nearly all scripted film and television production in the United States ground to a halt. In the midst of this industry-wide shutdown, the union deployed a strategic tool: the Interim Agreement. This was a special contract that the union offered to independent production companies that were not part of, or affiliated with, the major studios and streaming services represented by the AMPTP.
By signing an Interim Agreement, an independent producer agreed to adhere to all the terms that the union was proposing in its negotiations with the AMPTP—specifically, the terms the major studios were fighting against. This included higher wages, improved streaming residuals, and crucial protections regarding artificial intelligence. In exchange, the union would allow its members to work on that specific project during the strike.
The Dual Purpose of the Agreement
The Interim Agreement strategy was designed to achieve two primary goals simultaneously:
- Provide a Lifeline for Workers: The agreements allowed thousands of union actors and crew members from other unions (who honor SAG-AFTRA picket lines) to work on approved independent projects. This eased the immense financial pressure the strike placed on individuals and kept a segment of the film ecosystem alive.
- Apply Strategic Pressure on the AMPTP: Each independent production that successfully operated under the Interim Agreement served as a proof-of-concept for the union’s demands. It demonstrated to the AMPTP that their proposed terms were not unreasonable and that productions could, in fact, function under them. This tactic was intended to divide the AMPTP’s smaller members from its larger ones and weaken the studios’ negotiating position.
Controversy and Impact
The strategy was not without controversy. Some high-profile union members argued that any work during a strike diluted its power and that total solidarity was necessary. Others passionately defended the agreements as a brilliant tactic that supported independent film while simultaneously isolating the major studios. Ultimately, over 300 independent projects were granted Interim Agreements. The policy showcased the union’s flexible and aggressive approach to the negotiation, and many of the terms agreed to in the interim deals were ultimately reflected in the final contract that ended the historic strike.