SAG-AFTRA
News & Politics
About
Hosted by National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
Episodes
- Unpacking the 2026 TV/Theatrical Tentative Agreement
Earlier this month, SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP reached a tentative agreement on a successor contract to the 2023 TV/Theatrical Contracts covering motion pictures, scripted primetime dramatic television, streaming content and new media. This a…
- The Most Memorable Moments of the Actor Awards
In March, SAG-AFTRA hosted The 32nd Annual Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA, which streamed live on Netflix from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The show has been honoring outstanding performances in film and television for 32 yea…
- How the New Intimacy Coordinator Contract is Good for the Whole Industry
SAG-AFTRA's first collective bargaining agreement for intimacy coordinators took effect on Feb. 22, marking a watershed moment for a profession that didn't exist 15 years ago. The contract establishes industry-wide standards for the profes…
- What's Really Holding Back Latino Representation in Entertainment
Latino performers face a persistent gap between their presence in the entertainment industry and their representation in actual roles. Typecasting, stereotyping, and limited opportunities remain real challenges. But there's also progress h…
- The Women's Committee Gets Real About Industry Challenges
As we celebrate Women's History Month this March, we're recognizing not just the trailblazers of the past, but the women who are shaping our industry's future right now. In this episode, we share a powerful conversation that took place las…
- This Director Is Using Humor to Expose How AI Can't Act
We've all seen the headlines about A.I. and wondered what it all means for your career. There's a lot of anxiety and uncertainty about what AI synthetics can actually accomplish. Writer-director and Emmy-winning creator Sergio Cilli, decid…
- The Battle to Preserve Human Artistry in the Age of A.I.
AI-generated content and deepfakes are rewriting the rules of creative ownership. So what are writers, artists, and performers doing about it? In this panel discussion from the AI House at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, SA…
- The Digital Replica Rules Every Commercial Actor Needs to Know
SAG-AFTRA's 2025 commercials contracts delivered groundbreaking A.I. provisions, but what do they actually mean for you? Tracy Hyman, Executive Director of Commercials Contracts, and actor and negotiating committee member Nicole Cyrille br…
- Why Unions Need to be Part of the A.I. Conversation
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland sits down with journalist Matt Belloni from Puck at CES in Las Vegas for a no-holds-barred conversation about the future of A.I. and entertainment. Matt asks the tough questions: Why should A.I. companies care what…
- Legendary Songwriter Diane Warren On Her Superpower
Diane Warren is one of the most successful and prolific songwriters in music history — and a proud SAG-AFTRA member. Her catalog includes many of the biggest pop songs of the past several decades. In this episode, she talks about the relen…
- What SAG-AFTRA Learned at the International Federation of Actors Congress
SAG-AFTRA's top three national officers — President Sean Astin, Executive Vice President Linda Powell and Secretary-Treasurer Michelle Hurd — sit down together with National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland dur…
- James Cameron Wants to Protect Actors in the Age of A.I. Part 2
In the first part of our interview with legendary director James Cameron, he explained his actor-driven approach to performance capture and why human nuance is still at the core of great storytelling. In this second half, Cameron goes deep…
- James Cameron Wants to Protect Actors in the Age of A.I. Part 1
James Cameron has spent four decades pushing filmmaking technology forward, but at the core of his work is something deeply human. In this video, the Oscar-winning director of Terminator, Aliens, Titanic and the Avatar films (Avatar: Fire…
- New SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin on What's Next for the Union (Part 2)
In the second half of our conversation, newly elected SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin opens up about lessons from the 2023 strike, the challenges of member communication and his goals for the next round of TV/Theatrical negotiations. Sean a…
- New SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin On His Day-One Priorities (Part 1)
Sean Astin has spent most of his life in front of the camera starring in beloved films like The Goonies, Rudy, and The Lord of the Rings — and behind the scenes as a committed advocate for SAG-AFTRA and its members. Now he's leading our un…
- How to Be More Confident in Auditions
Auditions are part of every performer's journey, but that doesn't mean they come naturally. The process can feel overwhelming, especially with the rise of self-taping. How can performers approach auditions with less stress and more confide…
- Money Strategies Every Performer Should Know
Performers face unique financial challenges with multiple gigs and unpredictable income spread across different states and even other countries. But there are smart steps you can take right now to smooth the ups and downs of your income an…
- What Actors Get Wrong About Commercial Auditions
For many actors, commercials are a vital part of building and sustaining a career. But the world of commercial casting can sometimes feel like a mystery. There are differences from theatrical casting, and the skills that book a commercial…
- What It Takes to Build a Podcast From Scratch
Podcasting has never offered more ways to grow your career and your income. Actor, comedian and impressionist Amy Phillips shares how she built her hit show, Drama Darling: A Real Housewives Comedy Podcast, from the ground up. She taught h…
- What Unions Are Doing to Take On A.I.
This Labor Day, we're replaying a SXSW Panel Discussion from last spring with leaders from SAG-AFTRA, the Writers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America and IATSE. We talked about how our unions are protecting members in the age…
- Breaking Into Audiobook Narration
Audiobooks are one of the fastest growing segments in entertainment, but how do you land work and build a sustainable career as a narrator? Veteran performer and coach Sean Pratt has recorded nearly 1,200 titles over 25 years, voicing ever…
- A Top Voice Coach on the One Skill All Actors Should Know
Your voice is 50 percent of your instrument, but many performers don't realize they're not using it to its full potential. On this episode of the SAG-AFTRA podcast, voice coach and dialect expert Bob Corff—who's worked with stars like Anto…
- Don't Make These 5 Social Media Mistakes
Social media is a powerful tool for performers, but it can also be confusing and time-consuming. What should you post? How do you promote yourself without feeling cringey? And does any of it actually lead to work? In this episode, social m…
- They Built a Media Career Without Leaving Their Apartment
Creator V Spehar built a massive audience on TikTok by delivering news from under their desk. Then the media companies came calling. In this replay of an episode, V talks with SAG-AFTRA's Duncan Crabtree-Ireland about staying independent,…
- What Really Happens After You Send in Your Self-Tape
Self-taping can sometimes feel like sending your audition into a void. In this episode, veteran casting director Jenny Jue, known for her work on Inglourious Basterds and The Brothers Sun, explains what actually happens after you hit send.…
- What Every Actor Should Know About Auditioning
There's no shortage of advice out there for performers, but not all of it's helpful or even accurate. In this episode, Rob Brownstein — a working actor, respected teacher and SAG-AFTRA Professional Representatives Committee Chair — shares…
- How to Network Without Feeling Pushy
Performers often hear they have to "network to get work," but how can they do so without it feeling awkward, forced or just plain transactional? In this episode, host Duncan Crabtree-Ireland talks with performer-producer and SAG-AFTRA Next…
- How to Find, Keep, and Work with the Right Agent (Part 2)
In the second half of our conversation with Daisy Wu, senior partner at the Gersh Agency, we explore how the agent-actor relationship evolves over time—and what happens when success leads performers to rethink their reps. Wu shares hard tr…
- How to Find, Keep and Work with the Right Agent (Part 1)
What makes a great agent—and how do you build a relationship that lasts? In Part 1 of this two-part series, Daisy Wu, senior partner in the talent department at the Gersh Agency, offers a candid look at how representation really works. She…
- A Life of Achievement: Jane Fonda on Acting and Advocacy
At this year's SAG Awards, Jane Fonda was named the 60th recipient of the Life Achievement Award. The legendary actor and activist sat down with SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher in an Actor to Actor conversation about her remarkable caree…
- SXSW 2025 Panel: What the Unions Are Doing About A.I.
At SXSW 2025, labor leaders gathered in a provocative panel discussion to address one of entertainment's most pressing challenges: A.I. regulation. Hosted by SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Irelan…
- Meet the Union Reps Keeping Sets Safe For Performers
From stunt sequences to child protection, SAG-AFTRA members face unique challenges during production that require expert oversight. SAG-AFTRA Executive Director, Field Services Jim Damis and stunt performer Samantha MacIvor take listeners…
- Protecting Workers In Our Rapidly Changing Digital World
Earlier this month, labor leaders worldwide gathered in Las Vegas for the 6th Annual Labor Innovation & Technology Summit. The event, held alongside CES 2025, was co-founded by SAG-AFTRA, the AFL-CIO and the AFL-CIO Tech Institute to tackl…
- How V Spehar Built a News Empire from Under Their Desk
V Spehar is the creator of Under the Desk News, which has become Gen Z and Millennials' go-to source for news, reaching over 3 million loyal followers. Throughout their career, V has been a powerful advocate for workers' rights, bringing a…
- 10 Key Takeaways from CES 2025
For the last several years, SAG-AFTRA has made it a priority to attend CES, the world's largest consumer tech exhibition where companies descend on Las Vegas to showcase their latest inventions and innovations. Members of the National Inno…
- The SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contracts: What You Need to Know
With the SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contracts expiring on March 31, 2025, we're preparing to negotiate with the Joint Policy Committee, which represents advertisers and advertising agencies. Katie Von Till, actor and national chair of the Comme…
- Intimacy Coordinators Join SAG-AFTRA in Historic Vote
Intimacy coordinators are an essential part of creating safe and professional working environments on set, acting as advocates and liaisons between actors and production for scenes involving nudity, simulated sex and other intimate acts. L…
- NextGen Performers Share Strategies for Thriving in Entertainment
NextGen Performers (NGP) can face big challenges in building sustainable careers in the entertainment and media business. Creating opportunities, staying creative between gigs, practicing self-care and advocating for themselves are just so…
- Big News From the SAG-AFTRA Foundation
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation headquarters just got a multimillion-dollar makeover. Introducing the new Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists, a stunning 15,000-square-foot facility with a screening room, on-camera studio and voiceover lab…
- The Hidden Talent Behind Video Game Characters
In this episode, we bring you a panel discussion from LA Comic-Con 2024 that shines a light on the often-unseen world of video game character creation. Moderated by Linsay Rousseau, the panel features industry experts and SAG-AFTRA members…
- Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and promotes inclusive employment practices. To update us on disability representation in the entertainme…
- SAG-AFTRA's Chief Economist Examines the State of the Entertainment Industry
The last few years have been challenging for those in the entertainment industry, as our members and other workers have experienced a slowdown in production. But what's the cause? Some think it was the strikes last year; others think broad…
- Protecting and Supporting Young Performers In Today's Entertainment Industry
What do young performers need to know in 2024 and beyond, and how can their families nurture and protect them? As we navigate an era of rapid technological change and expanding media platforms, it's more important than ever to address the…
- Labor Leaders Speak Out About Tech
SAG-AFTRA and the AFL-CIO hosted the 2024 Labor Innovation & Technology Summit in Las Vegas earlier this year. In this episode commemorating Labor Day, we replay an illuminating panel discussion called "Workers' Rights In The Age of Tech,"…
- SAG-AFTRA Introduces A.I. Agreement with Narrativ
SAG-AFTRA recently secured a new agreement that marks a significant milestone in the union's ongoing efforts to protect performers in the age of artificial intelligence. The agreement with the online platform Narrativ establishes crucial p…
- The Video Game Strike: Performers Fight for Fair A.I. Protections
After more than eighteen months of negotiations, time has run out! As of July 26 at 12:01 a.m., SAG-AFTRA members who perform in video games have been on strike against their employers — the major video game companies! Find out what's next…
- The Human Art Behind Game Performance: Comic-Con 2024
Listen in on last week's Comic-Con 2024 panel, featuring top game performers Ashly Burch, Noshir Dalal, Sarah Elmaleh and Shannon Woodward. The actors talk about the unique challenges of voice and movement performance in video games, the t…
- Demystifying Contract Negotiations (Part 2)
In part 2 of our series on contract negotiations, we explore the bargaining and ratification process, including communication with other unions before talks begin, the structure and dynamic of different negotiation sessions, and the challe…
- Demystifying Contract Negotiations (Part 1)
SAG-AFTRA regularly negotiates contracts with major studios, networks, and production companies. It's a complex process that most members don't get to see up close. That's why we're excited to bring you this two-part series that breaks dow…
- 'We Are Stronger Together:' Hacks' Paul W. Downs on the Power of Unions
You know Paul W. Downs as a writer, director, co-creator and star of the comedy series Hacks. But you may not know Paul has been an active and outspoken champion of SAG-AFTRA and the WGA. In this episode, Paul shares his journey from getti…