Negotiators for actors and the major Hollywood studios met again Saturday in another effort to hammer out an agreement that would end the 114-day strike that's brought film and scripted television production to a halt.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios, made an offer to the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists during Saturday's session, and union officials said they were reviewing the offer.
"We received an offer today from the AMPTP, which they characterized as their `Last, Best, and Final Offer,"' the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee said in a statement provided to City News Service. "We are reviewing it and considering our response within the context of the critical issues addressed in our proposals."
Details of the offer were not immediately available.
SAG-AFTRA is seeking limitations on the use of artificial intelligence to re-create actors' likenesses and performances, while the AMPTP has advocated for informed consent and fair pay in situations where performers are digitally replicated, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The studios have warned that unless a deal is reached this week it will be impossible for the broadcasters to salvage half a season of scripted television.
The 2024 summer movie season is also increasingly in peril, as more and more films have been delayed to 2025.
The union's other demands include general wage increases, boosts in compensation for successful streaming programs, and improvements in health and retirement benefits.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Saturday's session was attended by leaders of the major studios and streaming services.
The strike is the longest TV/film work stoppage in the union's history.
A New York University professor has shared a cautionary message for Gen Zers who prioritize remote work and work-life balance, stating that they may face challenges in reaching top executive positions and achieving the same level of financial success as others. Suzy Welch, a professor at NYU Stern School of Business, explained in an interview with Insider that while remote workers may consider work-life balance as their own version of success, there are trade-offs to rejecting the traditional hustle culture, particularly at a young age.
According to Welch, young individuals who opt for a work arrangement that involves minimal time spent in the office or working entirely remotely may have a different idea of success compared to the traditional definition. She acknowledged that they are less likely to become CEOs, but stressed that personal career goals may differ for these individuals. Welch highlighted that those who have experienced working in traditional office environments understand the advantages of in-person collaboration and the magic that can happen when people come together.
This perspective aligns with that of another NYU professor, Scott Galloway, who previously advised young people not to spend too much time at home if they aspire to achieve professional and personal success. Despite feeling that work is central to their identities, as reported in a 2023 Deloitte survey, Gen Z and millennials also prioritize achieving a better work-life balance.
These attitudes are reflected in emerging workplace trends on platforms like TikTok, where concepts like "lazy-girl jobs" and the "snail-girl" lifestyle promote low-stress, high-paying jobs with minimal effort. Welch emphasized that individuals who choose these paths should be prepared for a potential lack of financial rewards compared to their more hardworking counterparts. She highlighted that success has never come to those who simply show up and work a nine-to-five job, neither in her generation nor in the future.
Welch attributed some of these challenges to Gen Z's tendency to avoid confronting anxiety and advised them to tackle stress head-on. While acknowledging the seriousness of anxiety disorders, she referred to the more common, everyday stress that her generation would label as "stress." Welch provided an example where someone may desire to attend a party but must prioritize dealing with clients, implying that such real-life trade-offs are an integral part of adulthood and the journey of self-discovery.
In conclusion, Welch's message serves as a reminder to Gen Zers that their chosen work-life balance preferences may lead to different outcomes in terms of career trajectory and financial success. The decisions they must make when transitioning from school to the professional world involve real-life trade-offs, self-discovery, and overcoming uncomfortable feelings and sleepless nights.