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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Aug 30

Make sure you mail in your ballot before September 12th.
-CODA-

Tim Friedlander.
#244 convention delegate

"Through my work on the new tech and GAPP committees as well as my advocacy through NAVA, I'm at the forefront of the video industry for over a decade and one of the leading voices in the fight to protect all creatives in the age of AI.

The artistic world is at a crossroads and we need strong, honest, and compassionate advocates to help guide the way."

Vote by September 12!!

Check your mail and follow the instructions on the ballot.

SAG-AFTRA

Assaf Cohen
#222 convention delegate

"I served for 7 years on the SAG-AFTRA (and legacy SAG) national and La local boards. I also served on multiple tv/theatrical negotiating committees, executive committees, the Merger Task Force.

I work extensively on-camera and lately more and more in animation, interactive video games, dubbing, and audiobook narration."

Vote by September 12!!

Check your mail and follow the instructions on the packet.

SAG-AFTRA

James Croak
059 LA Local Board
098 National Board
273 Convention Delegate

"I am a father and stunt performer with a passion to serve the union. I've submitted proposals with a focus on education, communication, and protection.

I also have a 20 Page reimagining of our app and ways for improving the union for our members and staff.

We have a tremendous opportunity to audit and improve the relationship between the union and its members. I appreciate your support."

Vote by September 12!!

SAG-AFTRA

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Aug 30

CODA believes the best way to improve the standing of voice actors in our industry is to push for positive change from within. These six voice actors are running for office in SAG-AFTRA and we encourage you to include them in your voting selections.

Marin M. Miller
#016 LA Local Board
#076 National Board
#125 Convention Delegate

"I have fought for better transparency and wages with the grassroots performers advocacy group I co-founded. Our efforts have resulted in the founding of the dubbing steering committee at SAG-AFTRA and thousands of Union jobs. Voice actors struggle to have their voices represented in SAG-AFTRA because we have no elected representatives.

Help us change that!"

Vote by September 12!!

Check your mail and follow the instructions on the packet.

SAG-AFTRA

Linsay Rousseau
#028 LA Local Board
#150 Convention Delegate

"I know firsthand that one size doesn't fit all. I've served on the interactive negotiating committee and LA Local Committees, always putting members first.

The video game negotiations proved what's possible when we stand strong together.

I don't represent one category-
I represent all of us. I'm running because OUR Union deserves leadership that listens, shows up, and never quits."

Vote by September 12!!

Check your mail and follow the instructions on the packet.

SAG-AFTRA

Scott Lambright
#008 LA Local Board
#107 Convention Delegate

"Listening to concerns from members helps shape my views. I've held the line through the recently settled IMA strike and the TV and Theatrical strike.

On the picket line, I learned so much from colleagues, friends, and supporters who I'm lucky to call allies in these trying times. I've served on an organizing committee and fought the good fight, so let me bring your voice to leadership!"

Vote by September 12!!

Check your mail and follow the instructions on the packet.

SAG-AFTRA

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · May 22

That's okay. We understand that this is all very confusing and complex. Nevertheless, we appreciate your repost and your help spreading accurate information. Thank you!
-CODA-

Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · May 22

🫶
-CODA-

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · May 22

#informationispower #knowyourworth #doyourhomework

GAI, Cont.

“Secondary Performance Payment”

What Is It: A payment for when they move a visual performance (movement or face, excluding VO) over to another game as-is. It is not an AI or replica payment at all. It’s your performance, copy paste into a new game.

SAG-AFTRA’s Position: This is what Integration is for, a payment obligation that already exists in the contract.

Employers Position: Integration as it currently exists doesn’t apply to on-camera or movement performance unless what’s being moved over is a clip of a game, exact copy of the shot, framing, everything in view is the same.

The Problem: Not how Integration works for voice, and rarely how performance is experienced in a game, which has any number of player-controllable angles on performance 99% of the time (much less skins, remastered graphics and other cosmetic tweaks). This is how they argue both concepts, SPP and Integration, exist at the same time.

Neg Comm argues this distinction is bogus, but they are not allowing it to hold up a deal.

Let’s Talk Some Numbers

“Neg Comm Went Back and Failed in Making a Deal”

81% of Membership who were at the last meeting voted to go back to the employers after receiving their previous “LBFO.”

Which means that 81% of Membership, who were able to attend the last meeting, were not pleased with the current terms as written despite a “LBFO”

Only 19% of Membership were interested in taking the offer as written.

59% of Members voted to go back and ask employers to fix ALL loopholes currently in the contract, including all of the language revolving around ICDRs listed here. Two other options were presented, which asked to fix only certain portions of the contract.

The point of these numbers? Members of Neg Comm are not the only ones who are making these decisions. It is the majority of Membership who decided to continue fighting. We have no doubts that Neg Comm will approach Membership with options of how to proceed and allow Membership to make their next decision.

We realize this is a heated time.

There is a lot at stake in these negotiations. We all want to go back to work. However, sharing misleading and inaccurate info graphics and charts does nothing to help us come to a sober understanding of the issues and makes it far more difficult for members to make wise, informed decisions about what contract we want to ratify.

It also shows the employers that there is a lack of solidarity in our community, which impacts the committee’s ability to negotiate the best deal possible.

Have Questions?

Reach out to Neg Comm members

If you feel uncomfortable, reach out to Matt Scott on the organizing staff at SAG-AFTRA (matt.scott@sagaftra.org)

If you are Non-U or FiCore, reach out to fellow actors who can ask your questions for you

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · May 22

So let’s discuss this LBFO in detail and some of the discrepancies we’ve seen with some of the information being shared to the public, so that we can all come together and make properly informed decisions moving forward.
#videogames #videogamestrike #letsbeinformed

Regarding ICDR (Independently Created Digital Replicas):

There are many things that are not covered by an ICDR. Only the things that are specifically mentioned are covered, and must be covered in each section between semicolons, and everything else that isn’t mentioned (or a DR) has no consent, transparency or compensation at all, no coverage on the contract.

For voice actors, that means something that performs as you but was prompted by the character name, or anything other than your name, is not covered.

Movement and facial performance is essentially carved out entirely, for reasons throughout the paragraph, but definitely if they swap your face out for a different likeness.

EX: They could replicate John Wick’s gun-fu directly from the movies, change Keanu Reeves’ face only, and it would not be covered by an ICDR. (“Likeness” refers to your features, not your performance.)

ICDRs, Cont. (3/3)
(Yes, It’s THAT Big of an Issue)

“Compensation Required”

Compensation for an IMA ICDR is freely negotiated. This means there is no minimum scale payment, you have to negotiate the rate as an actor individually. In addition, you do not automatically get pension and health contributions for any wages earned under an ICDR, you have to negotiate those terms into your ICDR contract as well.

So, compensation is required, but you only get what you can negotiate based on your individual leverage as an actor.

In the Animation and TV/Film contracts, those ICDRs also do not have scale minimums, but they do have any P&H contributions based on the wages negotiated included automatically.

Usually compensation, P&H, and the ability to withhold your artistry during a strike are guaranteed by a union contract and not left to individual actors to negotiate.

That’s the purpose of a union, to have safe and equitable minimum standards for actors.

Do you feel like you have the power to negotiate these things on your own?

GAI (Generative AI)

“GAI Protections”

Again, if employers prompt along the lines of “X character name saying X line”, even if you are the only person who has played that character and it comes out identifiable as you, it would not be covered. No consent, transparency, or compensation.

California Law AB 2602 only applies if a contract has not been negotiated by a lawyer or a union. Once a new IMA contract is ratified, that will be the protections we get moving forward. There is no other law to protect us yet. There is also no law pending or passed that will cover you in-character.

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · May 22

There are a lot of images being shared by the community, some of which are, unfortunately, not accurate. It does not help anyone to spread misinformation about the Last Best and Final Offer (LBFO) given to membership in regards to the IMA Contract.
#voiceover #voiceactors

The Latest “LBFO” IMA offer

We know there are a lot of images and questions circulating regarding the “LBFO”

Let’s discuss some discrepancies we’ve seen & concerns we still have based on what members of Neg Comm have provided

(Please note: This is going to be text heavy)

Regarding DR (Digital Replicas):

There is no such thing as a PCAP DR in the LBFO. Visual DRs are supposed to cover on-camera performances in video games, but the employers still reserve their interpretation of the contract that the only performance capture covered by the IMA is PCAP that has spoken dialogue. They do not consider any “movement-only PCAP” acting and don’t feel that they have to pay motion-only performers under union contracts.

Obviously, the union disagrees with that interpretation of the contract, but the committee has tried to make sure that any proposals in the contract effectively retain each side’s positions on this topic to address it in future negotiations.

Visual DRs only apply to visual performance (face or body) for cinematics, and only for a specific, objectively identifiable performer.

Employers are free to create in-game movement or facial
performance without consent, transparency or compensation.

“Can Suspend Consent During A Strike”

There are five instances in which you would not be able to suspend consent of something that creates new performance, even objectively identifiable as you in-character, during a strike.

i. DR (if prepaid sessions’ worth)
ii. ICDR
iii. Scratch
iv. Multi-game rights
v. Prompting

This could be for one or several of the following reasons:

i. Explicitly carved out (ICDR, scratch)
ii. Because they can prepay you and they get to “use what they’ve paid for” (DR, ICDR, scratch, multi-game rights)
iii. It’s not covered by the contract at all, no consent, transparency, compensation (prompting by ANYTHING other than the actor’s name)

And this could be for sideletter 6 games only (multi-game rights, DR) or even for struck games (ICDR, scratch, prompting).

To be clear, if they pre-pay you for any of your sessions for a DR, then you can’t suspend that pre-paid DR work during a strike for SL6 games. That can greatly reduce the effect of a strike. In TV/Film, even if they pay you ahead of time, you can go on strike and disrupt production. You are then required to go back to work once the strike is over.

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Reposted by Coalition of Dubbing Actors

NAVA @navavoices.org · Feb 21

Do you want to stay up-to-date about the latest news from the SAG-AFTRA Negotiating Committee?

Tim Friedlander, President of NAVA, will be moderating this discussion with Sarah Elmaleh, Zeke Alton, and Crispin Freeman.

Get updated info on where negotiations stand!

https://buff.ly/4bcNnec

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Nov 6

Come join fellow actors for a supportive, candid, and confidential conversation about whatever is hitting you hardest right now. There’s a lot going on in the world. This is a designated safe place to just let it out. If you'd like to attend, please be sure to RSVP.

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Sep 26

There’s lots of hot takes out there... but let keep them off social media!

Come scream AT real people, WITH real people at CODA’s first ever Un-Safe Space!

(Friendly reminder that anti-union sentiment online doesn’t help this strike end any faster.)

Let’s scream it out among friends!

Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Sep 21

We apologize, but this event is being rescheduled for NEXT Sunday (September 29th.) Thank you and we hope to see you there!

Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Sep 18

There’s lots of hot takes out there... but let keep them off social media!

Come scream AT real people, WITH real people at CODA’s first ever Un-Safe Space!

(Friendly reminder that anti-union sentiment online doesn’t help this strike end any faster.)

Let’s scream it out among friends!

Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Sep 18

There’s lots of hot takes out there... but let keep them off social media!

Come scream AT real people, WITH real people at CODA’s first ever Un-Safe Space!

(Friendly reminder that anti-union sentiment online doesn’t help this strike end any faster.)

Let’s scream it out among friends!

Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Aug 6

We believe it is in the best interest of all actors to support the SAG-AFTRA interactive strike. These are the actions we believe would be the most helpful to the community.

Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Aug 6

CODA is and has always been an actors advocacy group. It is pro-actor no matter where they are in their career and what their union status is. However, the AI threat to voiceover is an existential threat.

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Aug 6

Thank you for this opportunity. Unfortunately, I'm unavailable for any video game projects that have not signed SAG-AFTRA's interim agreements or their Tiered Budget Agreement. Please reach out to [email protected] for help signing one of these agreements.
-Your Name

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Aug 6

If you receive an SL6 audition and aren't sure how to respond, we recommend replying to the audition email with the following:

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Aug 6

We cannot allow SL6 to drag this strike out. CODA strongly urges all actors to avoid auditioning for and working on SL6 projects, despite language that makes them sound safe to work.

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Aug 6

SL6 makes video game strikes extremely inefficient and was the leading cause of the last video game strike in '16/'17 lasting nearly 18 months.

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Aug 6

Let's be clear about what a strike is: a strike is a DELIBERATE DISRUPTION OF WORK.

SL6 projects contain NO PROTECTION FROM AI. They are the opposite of "safe-to-work."

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Aug 6

These terms refer to projects that are "Side Letter 6" jobs (or SL6 for short.)

What is Side Letter 6? To be blunt, it's a serious flaw in the SAG-AFTRA video game contract that allows projects that have begun production before a strike was called to continue without disruption.

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Aug 6

To the game actors reading this:
As auditions for video games continue to come in, you're going to see some interesting language describing them.
Be on the lookout for terms like "grandfathered in" or "safe-to-work" or "safe harbor guidelines" or "non-struck."

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Aug 6

Side Letter 6 Projects contain NO PROTECTION FROM AI. They are the opposite of "safe-to-work."

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Jul 28

In this town hall, they'll explain what the union is doing to protect actors from exploitation by AI and what you can do to secure a future for all game performers. Register here by 8/1 at 3 PM PDT: forms.gle/rDKMx1zCs48E...

Game Strike AMA with Crispin Freeman & Zeke Alton - Thursday, 8/1/2024 (via Zoom)

Join two members of the SAG-AFTRA Interactive Negotiation Committee, veteran dubbing voice actor, Crispin Freeman, and NAVA board member Zeke Alton, as they share with you vital information about the ...

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Jul 28

Join two members of the SAG-AFTRA Interactive Negotiation Committee, Crispin Freeman and Zeke Alton, as they share with you vital information about the current Game Strike.

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Coalition of Dubbing Actors @codaunite.com · Jul 17

This event is primarily directed towards character work (dubbing, animation, interactive, etc). While the event is in a panel-format, discussion is encouraged.

Sign up here: forms.gle/jibRsEVUQ4S7...

Community Event: "Voice Acting while Remote"- Monday, 7/22/2024 (via Zoom)

Come join fellow actors for a supportive, candid, and confidential conversation about remote work in the voiceover industry. This event is primarily directed towards character work (dubbing, animation...

forms.gle