Controversial Provision Allows “Independent” Projects to Continue Despite Strike

SAG-AFTRA has granted approval for three AMC Networks shows to restart production, under its controversial provision allowing “independent” projects to continue despite the strike.

Shows Granted Approval

The shows include “Interview With the Vampire,” which was shooting in Prague when the strike started, and two “Walking Dead” spinoffs: “The Ones Who Live” and “Daryl Dixon.” The latter project was on hiatus and can resume shooting in France.

Interim Agreements

SAG-AFTRA has granted “interim agreements” to more than 300 projects since the strike began in mid-July. The agreements allow productions that are not connected to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to keep shooting, provided they abide by the terms of SAG-AFTRA’s last proposal to the studios.

AMC and Stalwart Films

AMC and its production arm, Stalwart Films, are not members of the AMPTP. But they are “authorized companies,” meaning that they adhere to the terms negotiated by the studio group.

Controversial Interim Agreements

The interim agreements have been controversial within SAG-AFTRA, as many members feel they undermine the solidarity of the strike. The union has repeatedly to the membership why it believes the agreements undercut the AMPTP, and urged members not to make negative remarks about actors who perform in approved productions.

U.S.-Based Projects and Writers Guild of America

The union did bow to pressure, however, when it agreed not to grant interim agreements to U.S.-based projects that were written under the jurisdiction of the Writers Guild of America. The AMC shows will be able to continue as they shoot overseas.

Approval for Apple TV+ Show

SAG-AFTRA had earlier given approval to “Tehran,” an Apple TV+ show that shoots in Israel. The union said the waiver was granted — even though Apple is an AMPTP member company — to adhere to local labor laws.

Post-Production and Premieres

“The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live” had completed production, but still needs to do post-production, which includes dialogue replacement with the principal actors. It is expected to premiere in 2024.

“The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon” is due to premiere on Sept. 10 on AMC. It stars Norman Reedus in the title role, reprising his character from the original series. AMC announced in July that it would get a second season.

Adjustment of Interim Agreements

Once SAG-AFTRA reaches an agreement with the AMPTP, the “interim agreements” will be adjusted to reflect those terms.

Deadline Report

Deadline was first to report the agreements.

Contributor

Michael Schneider contributed to this story.