SAG-AFTRA has given permission for 39 independent productions to shoot during the strike, after confirming they are not tied to AMPTP companies.
The list includes two projects from A24, the independent production company: “Mother Mary”, starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel, and “Death of a Unicorn”, starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, which will begin shooting soon in Hungary.
A24 is not part of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, a company spokesman said.
Projects also include “The Rivals of Amziah King,” starring Matthew McConaughey, “Flight Risk,” starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Mel Gibson, “Dust Bunny” starring Mads Mikkelsen and Sigourney Weaver, “Bride Hard” with Rebel Wilson, and The Chosen, a TV series about the life of Jesus.
The union had announced that it would approve interim agreements, known as “waivers”, for independent film and TV productions.
On Tuesday, the union posted a list of the 39 projects approved so far. Some projects have already been completed but require a waiver for the actors to be promoted.
The productions agree to abide by the terms of SAG-AFTRA’s latest offer during contract negotiations. Ultimately, the productions will abide by the final deal negotiated by the AMPTP.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, executive director of the union, said on a conference call on Tuesday that actors are actively encouraged to take part in such projects.
He said if independent productions can move forward on the union’s terms, it undermines the studio’s talking point that the union’s demands are “unrealistic.”
SAG-AFTRA launched its first strike against the film and TV companies in 43 years on Thursday. The main issues are artificial intelligence, streaming revenue sharing, and base increases in minimums to keep pace with inflation.