BACKSTAGE: SAG-AFTRA AND ACTORS’ EQUITY FEUD OVER STREAMING RIGHTS FOR THEATER PRODUCTIONS

The two biggest unions that represent actors are currently fighting. The conflict concerns who should handle the contracts for theater productions that are recorded for streaming. Actors’ Equity Association has accused SAG-AFTRA of taking theater productions that it would normally cover with its contracts. Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA has launched an unprecedented investigation into Equity’s business and filed a formal complaint.

Since the theater industry was shut down nationwide in March, producers have been scrambling to figure out a way to continue creating work during a time when artists cannot be in close contact with each other. A workaround has been to create shows for online streaming or to be performed live via Zoom; but the solution threw into question which union would cover the working contract for actors.

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