How Hollywood Thwarted Actors' Deal

Then the major Hollywood studios pulled the plug. The striking Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists and the producers' associations were then forced to return to the table yet again yesterday to write in new-media provisions which they hoped would be to Hollywood's liking. Why? All sides are fully aware how crucial U.S. productions are to the health of the Canadian production industry. Actors depend on the U.S. productions shooting in Canada for work, as do equipment companies, film labs, post-production companies, soundstage owners, caterers -- the list goes on and on. Sources close to the talks say that Hollywood studio reps have been focused on not setting any precedent on new-media pay or residuals ahead of the studios' own upcoming negotiations with the Screen Actors Guild and other unions in the United States. This is no secret. ACTRA has from the start accused the other side of kowtowing to the interests of the major studios. The Canadian Film and Television Production Association has countered that it has spoken with one voice at the talks and is working primarily in the interests of Canadian producers. http://www.theglobeandmail.com:80/servlet/story/LAC.20070220.ACTRA20/TPStory/TPEntertainment/Television/

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