SAG shoots down video game voiceover deal
- October 29, 2009 16:34 PM PST
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The Screen Actor's Guild rejects a new contract with members of the videogame industry, pushes for better compensation.
The Screen Actor's Guild announced their rejection of a new contract regarding videogame voiceover work yesterday morning, citing concerns over an "atmospheric performer" clause. SAG has asked the companies involved (including Electronic Arts) to reopen negotiations, but representatives told Variety that they were "uncertain" about returning to the bargaining table.
The failed contract included wage increases and a mandate to establish guidelines for work-induced vocal stress, but it was the "atmospheric" provision which caused the lion's share of dissent at the Hollywood SAG member caucus. The organization sent the deal out two weeks ago to each of its four member caucuses for official consideration, and the votes were tallied Tuesday with 73 of 115 against the deal.
Titles like Uncharted 2 owe a lot of atmosphere to stunning voice acting, but the actors involved often don't have union support.
"From the actor's point of view, this is a lousy contract -- particularly in the multiple voices area," SAG member Peter Kwong told Variety. "I'm encouraging AFTRA members to vote this down." Kwong has previously done voiceover work for videogames like GoldenEye: Rogue Agent and Narc.
The controversial clause would permit game companies to employ actors for "atmospheric work" in up to 20 roles (with a max cap of 300 words each) at the base pay rate, about $782 for four hours of work. Many SAG members feel this is a major pay reduction from the current contract, though videogame industry reps argue that the new clause will permit actors to secure more work (and thus more money) in the long run.
EA is attempting to forge a new contract for employing union actors in its games.
Fellow actor union AFTRA (American Federation of Television & Radio Artists) has until November 12 to respond to the proposed contract, and their national board has strongly encouraged members to approve the new deal. Still, the new contract may not have much of an impact on the games industry; though AFTRA covers the majority of unionized voice actors working in videogames, Variety estimates nearly 75% of game voiceover work is done by non-union actors.
We've contacted a few SAG members who can hopefully provide us with more perspective on the news. We will keep you updated as new developments arise.
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- Oct 29 2009 at 07:16:20:PM PST
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about $782 for four hours of work
WTF? I'd be happy to read a few lines for four hours of work if I could make that amount. Bunch of over paid f'tards. How about they go back to minimum wage jobs & see if they are happy w/ that contract.
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Wait. So $195.50 an hour for four hours isn't ENOUGH for these guys? Do they realize a lot of people don't make that in a day? What idiot is going to vote against THAT?
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Ummmm who cares I usually don't care about voice actors usually voice acting in video games is cheesy anyway.
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Don't get me wrong I like a good story just like the next guy but gameplay comes first always IMO.
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I would gladly read all the lines in a game for free, just to be in the game. But like GeForceX said, I could really careless about whose doing voice overs, as long as the game play is great.
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