The result could be a dearth of indie films in 2024 and beyond.
She said shes had several projects topple this year due to the strikes.
Clearing that hurdle is the only way they can cast their films.
SAG-AFTRA “Rock The City For A Fair Contract” strike rally at Times Square in New York City.Getty Images
The key to the indie business is getting actors interested in our projects.
That is the lifeblood of our business getting an actor to say, I like your script.
I am interested in it.
It lets a producer put the financing together.
He and several others asked to speak on background given the sensitivity of the issues.
They check every dollar you are spending, every investor that is putting money in.
They go through the organization with a microscope.
And you are sweating bullets, another producer said of the signatory vetting process.
Early-stage projects dont have that information.
A lot of us are in no-mans land, just waiting.
My program is in the queue, but I have no idea when we may hear back.
And in the case of one film, perhaps ever.
The signatory process is completed later before the project is officially cleared for members to work.
The producers say they fully support a rigorous signatory process to ensure all is in order before production starts.
We have done it many times and will continue to do so without hesitation, Paris said.
But meanwhile, speeding up the process for interim casting agreements is crucial to jump-start projects.
- they will become full signatory which includes signing the Interim Agreement.
With this promise, memorialized in a simple document, the trueindiesshould be approved for casting and negotiating terms.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the guilds national executive director and chief negotiator, has spoken frequently aboutinterim agreementsfor non-AMPTP productions.
They provide jobs for performers and crews at a critical time.
They show solidarity and demonstrate the industry can move forward without the Association of Motion Pictures and Television Producers.
But its been complicated.
The backlash has been ferocious if something doesnt sit right with the broader community.
Theyve got to tread carefully, said one.
How serious are you?
But thats kind of Paris point.
We should be able to have conversations with actors.
It feels like its a no-win situation, said another producer.
Obviously, the studio outcome is basically off the table.
The indie outcome isnt.
