SAG talks extended

The actors guild will keep going at it with the studios and networks for an extra week, perhaps a sign that at least some progress is being made in cutting a deal (though very little information is leaking out about the contract talks). With SAG negotiations extended until May 2, AFTRA (the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) has agreed to postpone the start of its negotiations until May 5. The actors guilds are conducting separate contract talks because of a silly squabble over jurisdiction. From Variety:

For SAG to make a deal, it will almost certainly have to back away from its demands for improved DVD residuals and new-media terms that are better than those in the DGA and WGA pacts. Both those positions are non-starters for the majors. In a sign that SAG may be willing to concede on those points, SAG sent an email to members earlier this week that omitted any mention of DVD or new media. Instead, the missive highlighted the need to improve earnings for middle-income actors and stressed the need for language dealing with the “forced endorsement” issued via compensation or pre-approval rights for product placement endorsements within scenes.