LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dissent regarding the tentative agreement of SAG-AFTRA with the studios is surfacing again as one of the board members, Matthew Modine, said in a pre-Thanksgiving statement that he is going to vote against the deal.
The 'Stranger Things' actor had previously voted against the deal during a meeting that happened on November 10 after the conclusion of the 118-day-long strike that concluded on November 8.
In the statement given recently, the National Board member Modine rallied against the deal with special focus on its AI provisions and said, “Consent, in the context of this agreement, is tyranny,” before adding, “It is submission.”
He continued, “If ratified, SAG-AFTRA members who consent will be digitally exploited in ways not clearly defined and are currently beyond our individual abilities to control,” and explained, “The US Government, with all its resources, doesn’t know how to create AI guardrails to provide protections for citizens."
The two-time failed presidential candidate added, “SAG-AFTRA certainly doesn’t have the financial resources or technology to navigate the AI tsunami crashing upon the shores of the entertainment industry," per Deadline.
'This deal is painfully inadequate'
Matthew Modine's stance of voting against guild's deal with the studios has significantly divided the Internet.
While a section of social media users supported Modine, another section opposed him. Both sides, however, gave solid reason for their choices.
One netizen said, "If these people think voting no is a good idea, they're wrong. You're gonna have a long and hard fight ahead of you if you vote no. They got the best deal they could - you're negotiating with the studios. No one else. The CEOs aren't just gonna come back and make a better deal."
Another person, who claims to be a part of the SAG-AFTRA, reasoned for an imperative vote while explaining, "After months on this, I’m a YES - to set protections #InformedConsent& compensation NOW that we can build upon. See webinar @robnederhorst explaining the tech will take years to get a 4-second digital replica to even move in a lifelike manner. It’s cheaper to hire a human."
Someone else said, "Our data is our leverage. Voting no."
Someone else supported Modine and said, "Matthew would have been a great president of SAG/AFTRA with all of his experience of over 40 years."
Another user gave a balanced opinion and said, "Looking forward to reading the agreement tomorrow (it would be irresponsible to comment until I see what's in the MOA (memorandum of agreement) itself so I have some idea of how the attorneys are writing & structuring the 2023 CBA (Codified Basic Agreement). I have ?s besides AI."
"This deal is painfully inadequate. Hard f***ing no," said someone with conviction.
Another user criticized, ""As two time failed Guild presidential candidate" says it all. He failed twice and Justine Bateman wants the position herself so bad it's obvious. All about self serving interests and trying to use scare tactics to do it."
"@MatthewModine brings up good points in his statement regarding #AI. We need more concrete points on how consent will work and won’t destroy performers’ careers. I’m not voting yet either way, but it’s wise for #SagAftraMembers to take his words seriously & think deeper," chimed in another.
When will the Memorandum of Agreement come out?
SAG-AFTRA is yet to release the Memorandum of Agreement that is being considered, The newly re-elected President Fran Drescher announced on her social media on Wednesday, November 22, that the 128-page long Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) will be coming out November 24 at noon PT.
Drescher was heard saying, “It is the most lucrative, innovative and protective contract in entertainment union history!”
The ratification vote started on November 14 and is expected to continue to the early days of December. Till now SAG-AFTRA has released bullet points of the deal and an 18-page Summary of the deal.
