SAG-AFTRA Proposes Tilly Tax For Synthetic Actors
Actors' union SAG-AFTRA prepares to negotiate with studios on Feb. 9 over AI and streaming-era pay, including a proposed royalty — dubbed a 'Tilly tax' — on synthetic actors to flow into the union's pension and health funds. Talks also revisit streaming residuals after the 2023 strike, with past demands for 1% of streamer revenues (~$500 million) and a current $40 million projected success bonus. The outcome could reshape studio costs and actor compensation.
Key Points
- 1Proposes royalty on synthetic-actor usage to channel payments into SAG-AFTRA pension and health funds
- 2Highlights AI and streaming as central negotiation drivers after 2023 strike and ongoing fears
- 3Signals potential industry payments change; studios may face new compliance and cost allocation responsibilities
Scoring Rationale
Timely, industry-wide negotiating development with concrete financial proposals; limited by preliminary nature and single-source reporting.
Sources
Public references used for this report.
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