Self-Tapes, Streaming Residuals: What Some Actors Are Striking For

#127: Hollywood is at a standstill right now, with first screenwriters — and now actors — out on strike. SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents actors, is calling for a number of changes in their now stalled contract negotiations with the AMPTP, the organization that represents studios and streamers. They include inflation-based wage increases, protections against artificial intelligence, and a share in revenue for streaming content. Another contentious issue? Self-taped auditions, which became the norm during the pandemic.

The amount of time and resources actors are now expected to spend recording themselves for auditions is a big issue for many actors, including Sarah Ramos (Parenthood, The Bear), who spoke with us about why the practice has become "untenable." Ramos is also on SAG-AFTRA's negotiating committee.

• Read SAG-AFTRA’s summary of negotiation points, including on the self-tape issue
• And what the AMPTP has to say about the negotiations