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11:00 July 9th, 2008

Look who’s advertising in Sun Valley

Posted by: Susan Zeidler
Tags: Mediafile, , , ,

sag-photo2.jpgThe Screen Actors Guild ran an ad in the local paper on Wednesday seeking better labor terms. We’re not talking about the L.A. Times here, but rather the Idaho Mountain Express, straight out of Sun Valley, Idaho, where Hollywood’s elite are bumping shoulders at the annual Allen & Co conference.

SAG was dealt a blow late Tuesday when another smaller Hollywood union ratified a new prime-time TV contract.  SAG’s contract talks stalemated last week over some of the same issues that led to a 14-week screenwriters’ strike that paralyzed Hollywood and centered on disagreements over how union talent should be paid for work created for the Internet.

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists won final approval despite an unusual all-out campaign by SAG to vote down the AFTRA accord. A “no” vote would have given SAG more leverage to negotiate a more favorable settlement with studios.

So why the ad in Idaho? Here’s what Screen Actors Guild National President and National Negotiating Committee Chair Alan Rosenberg said in a release:

This media conference is the place where significant deals get made.  We wanted to remind the entertainment media leaders in attendance that there is another important deal to be made.  Actors are the creative heart of the entertainment business, and our Screen Actors Guild members want to partner with our industry to invest in and share the rewards of our mutual digital future. Let’s keep talking and let’s make a fair deal.

One comment so far

Dear everyone in Hollywood,

Leave Idaho alone. It is one of the last places in America that hasn’t been corrupted by you. Nobody cares bout the actors in Hollywood, only themselves. Maybe if they made quality movies people would care. Take a hike.

- Posted by cassie silvester

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