Casting Directors and Studios Are “Far Apart” in Contract Negotiations As Deadline Nears

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Casting Directors and Studios Are “Far Apart” in Contract Negotiations As Deadline Nears

As a passionate follower of the entertainment industry and someone who has witnessed the hardships faced by those behind the scenes, I find myself deeply invested in this ongoing negotiation between Teamsters Local 399 and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The dedication and resilience shown by the casting professionals, particularly Bernie Telsey, Sherry Thomas, and their fellow negotiators, is truly inspiring.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’m eagerly awaiting the progress of ongoing negotiations between casting directors and Hollywood studios. They’ve got their eyes set on finalizing a new deal this week, before we reach the September 30th contract expiration date. Here’s to hoping for a swift resolution!

Based on a post from Teamsters Local 399, along with Teamsters Local 817 who collectively represent approximately 700 casting professionals in Los Angeles and New York City, the statement was made that after an entire day of negotiations yesterday, they departed from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) at around 1 am without reaching a preliminary agreement. The Local further expressed on Wednesday’s social media post that it appears more time is needed to continue discussions with the Studios and Streamers, as there remains a significant gap in terms of fair compensation across all job classifications.

The union emphasized that “the struggle continues” and that they would soon announce meeting dates and times for further discussions this week. They declared their negotiating committee was resolute in striving towards a preliminary agreement, one that could be endorsed prior to the Monday, September 30th contract expiration. The union also highlighted that their member-led group has been tirelessly collaborating and advocating on behalf of all Los Angeles and New York Casting Professionals.

The Hollywood Reporter contacted the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to seek their response.

The Teamsters Unions Local 399 and Local 817 initiated negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on August 26th. Following an initial round of discussions, they temporarily halted before resuming for two pre-planned bargaining sessions on Monday and Tuesday.

During the current round of negotiations, the Teamsters Locals, representing approximately 700 casting professionals (including directors, associates, and assistants), have made it a top priority to address member compensation. The negotiating team has been working diligently to establish fair minimum wage rates for casting directors, in response to claims of decreasing wages in the industry. Furthermore, they have advocated for substantial wage increases for associate casting directors and have already begun discussions about union wages and benefits for newly-unionized casting assistants, who joined the Teamsters only two weeks before negotiations commenced.

In an interview with THR held on Friday, Bernie Telsey, casting director for Teamsters Local 817 and a member of the negotiating committee, shared that there had been progress in negotiations regarding casting assistant contracts. He stated, “It seems like the representatives from AMPTP are starting to recognize that assistants play a significant role and should have access to healthcare, pension plans, and a seat at the table.

However, Telsey and two other casting directors consistently highlighted the desire for alterations in compensation methods within the casting industry. Sherry Thomas, a casting director and negotiating committee member known for shows like “Breaking Bad” and “Barry”, stated, “We understand where we draw the line, and I believe we are all prepared to uphold these boundaries. We recognize our value.

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2024-09-25 21:24