Here is a quick reference of key terms from the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA deals.
WGA
- Wage increases: Three-year film and TV contract pay increased 5% in the first year, 4% in the next, and 3.5% in the third
- Streaming bonuses: Writers receive bonuses if at least 20% of the streaming platform’s users view the project within 90 days of release. Those bonuses will be 50% of their residual—so about $10,000-$16,000 for TV episodes and $40,500 for films with $30+ million budgets.
- AI: Writers can use AI or generative AI as a tool and it will still be deemed literary material the writer must be paid for like anything else—without crediting AI
- Staffing: TV writers room must have a minimum of three writers for seasons of six episodes, and at least six for seasons of 13+
SAG-AFTRA
- Wage increases:
- For principal roles: 7% in the first year, another 4% next year, and another 3.5% after that
- For background roles: 11% in the first year and the same as speakers in subsequent years
- Streaming bonuses: Same qualifiers as the WGA. Actors’ bonuses will be 100% of their residuals, but 75% will go to the actor and 25% will go to a joint fund that distributes to all union members. They’re estimating $40 million in these bonuses per year, so $10 million to the general fund.
- AI: Actors must give consent to have their likeness used by AI