Fran Drescher’s resolution to not run for reelection as SAG-AFTRA president opens up the race to steer a serious Hollywood labor union at a pivotal time as actors face points such because the rise of AI and a difficult job market two years after a protracted strike.
Actors Sean Astin and Chuck Slavin are searching for to succeed Drescher within the upcoming election that goals to deal with considerations about job protections, healthcare and increasing residuals. Astin, identified for appearing within the “The Lord of the Rings” movies, is on SAG-AFTRA’s nationwide and native L.A. board, whereas Slavin is on the union’s New England board.
“It’s time on this particular state of affairs the place we actually want reform,” Slavin mentioned in an interview. “We’re not getting it, as a result of what we’re getting proper now could be a rearrangement of the deck chairs on the Titanic.”
Hollywood’s leisure business has important obstacles, as firms in the reduction of on manufacturing amid studio consolidation and lots of TV and movies are made elsewhere as a result of decrease prices and monetary incentives.
In the meantime, innovation in AI know-how has made it simpler for artists to create their very own visible results and conceptualization of their concepts with out hiring actors. All of that has made it harder for performers and different leisure employees to seek out jobs which can be sustainable to reside in Southern California.
Hollywood unions are making ready to barter new contracts with main studios subsequent 12 months.
In 2023 — the final contract negotiations — the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA led twin Hollywood strikes that resulted in firms halting work on many productions. The offers that ended the strikes carved out extra pay and AI protections for writers and actors.
Drescher was the face of the actors’ strike, delivering a fiery speech that addressed class points within the leisure business. She requested whether or not Disney Chief Government Bob Iger was an “ignoramus” after he mentioned actors’ calls for weren’t real looking.
SAG-AFTRA’s contract, reached after a 118-day strike, introduced an estimated $1 billion in features for members over three years, in keeping with the union. The contract included streaming bonuses and AI protections, together with requiring employers to have consent from actors earlier than creating or utilizing “digital replicas” and to pay performers if these replicas had been used.
“Right here’s a lady who’s difficult these male moguls and having to arm wrestle them, realizing that her personal profession might be at stake,” mentioned Stephen Galloway, dean of Chapman College’s Dodge Faculty of Movie and Media Arts. “She was fearless.”
Drescher, referred to as the lead character within the sitcom “The Nanny,” had positioned herself as a nonpartisan chief. She was reelected amid the strike in 2023, receiving 81% of the votes solid. In her marketing campaign assertion, Drescher mentioned that “member unity might be my best legacy.”
Drescher and SAG-AFTRA pushed for nationwide and state laws to deliver extra AI protections to performers, together with payments that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into legislation final 12 months that gave actors extra management over their digital likenesses.
Drescher’s resolution to not run for reelection turned official on Friday when her identify didn’t seem on the poll distributed by the union. She didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Slavin mentioned that whereas Drescher did a “nice” job, he felt the AI protections in its present contract may have gone loads farther. The contract ended up getting accepted by 78% of the votes solid by SAG-AFTRA’s members.
Slavin, who has acted within the film “Annabelle Hooper and the Ghosts of Nantucket,” mentioned his platform will prioritize AI guardrails, equitable contracts for all members no matter their market dimension, advocate for higher residuals and assist shield weak employees.
Astin is operating as a part of the “The Coalition” slate, which advocates for points together with AI protections, strengthening U.S. manufacturing and increasing residuals, in keeping with its web site.
Astin’s consultant didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Workers author Meg James contributed to this report.
