Background Artists continue to be left out of receiving any real gains in this proposed contract.
Of the $318 million supposed increase - Background Artists only cost the AMPTP $600,000 (0.19%) of this “Historic Gain.” In actuality, having 1 added spot in Los Angeles generates 5 times the return in income and benefits compared to the $600,000 initial cost. Over a three-year period, a spot that would have cost the AMPTP $1 million would have yielded $6 million for Background Artists and the Union . The failure to make adding spots a priority was detrimental to the future of Background Artists and a blow to the health of the entire union costing jobs and much needed contributions.
In the 28 years since SAG-AFTRA assumed jurisdiction of SEG (Screen Extras Guild) in covered work, Background Artists have suffered a national net loss of 36 spots. New York was hit the hardest and has seen no improvements at all. Adding only 1 spot in Los Angeles of July of 2021 does not go nearly far enough to compensate for these historic losses.
REAL LIFE EXAMPLE
The current Los Angeles (X-I Contract) TV Cap is 21 Background Artist spots and the New York (X-II Contract) TV Cap is 25 Background Artist spots. Adding 5 spots in L.A. and 1 in New York would bring the two schedules into agreement with 26 spots and creates up to 31,500 jobs.
Background Artists also remain unprotected from the use of digital doubles via scanning further threatening background jobs and protections. Even Netflix has basic protections for Background Artists that are missing in this contract.
REAL LIFE EXAMPLE
You go to set and are asked to step into a scanner. This is uncovered work. If you have not agreed in advance when you accept the job, you can refuse. But, if you accept the job and do not negotiate terms, you will not receive any additional pay and the producers can use the footage any way they want. The official position of SAG AFTRA staff is the scan can only be used for the single production for that single day's work, but since it is uncovered work, that position would have to be arbitrated if challenged. Under the Netflix deal, digital doubles cannot be used towards the background caps. There is no such protection here. Again, SAG AFTRA could challenge that, but it is not in the contract.
The new nudity provisions give Principal Performers the right to have 48 hours’ notice of all details involving nudity or simulated sex acts. Background Artists are not given this same guarantee, instead only promised a “best effort.” If producers know 48 hours in advance what Principal Performers will be doing, they certainly know what will be asked of background. Producers have only offered a bulletin to casting directors asking them to make details known in advance “if possible.” This is an unacceptable inequity and is Discriminatory.
REAL LIFE EXAMPLE
You are told that you are hired for nude work, but when you get to the set, you find out that the job involves simulated sex. You don't want to do it. You are entitled to say no and be paid for the day, but you may feel pressured to say yes because you fear retaliation or a responsibility to complete the shot. If production had given you the same 48 hours’ advanced notice that principal actors will get, you would have been able to say no at the start and never have had to be put in this compromising situation.