In a groundbreaking development that marks the end of Hollywood's four-month strike, board members from Hollywood's actors union, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), have voted overwhelmingly to approve the deal with studios. The union's leadership, including executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, hailed the gains made during weeks of methodical negotiations.

At an afternoon news conference, Crabtree-Ireland announced that the tentative agreement had received 86% of the board's vote. However, the agreement still needs to be voted on by the union's members, who sacrificed their summer and early fall to join picket lines instead of working on film and television sets. The voting process will begin on Tuesday and continue until December.

Crabtree-Ireland emphasized that the deal will ensure the sustainability of the motion picture industry as a profession for working-class performers. Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher took a jab at the studios, questioning their strategy of waiting over two months before initiating talks. Drescher expressed her satisfaction at the outcome, saying, "Well honey, I quit smoking a long time ago."

Although Crabtree-Ireland and Drescher did not disclose the specifics of who disapproved of the deal and why, it is important to note that the board vote was weighted, making it unclear how many individuals voted against approval. However, the overall atmosphere at SAG-AFTRA's Los Angeles headquarters was a far cry from the defiant and angry tone of the news conference held in July when the strike was initially announced.

The board's vote is not merely a formality but a crucial step towards restoring normalcy in Hollywood. Actors, in particular, can resume their work even before the ratification process is completed, as Crabtree-Ireland confirmed that some actors have already resumed acting.

One of the key sticking points in the agreement was the control of artificial intelligence (AI). Drescher revealed that AI was a dealbreaker for the union, as they needed provisions to protect their members. The agreement now ensures that actors must give their informed consent for the use of their digital replicas, even for background actors in crowd scenes. Additionally, when AI is used to create a synthetic character from the images of multiple performers, consent must be obtained from each person, and the union must negotiate their pay.

The contract also includes several other noteworthy gains for actors. Productions will now require intimacy coordinators for scenes involving nudity or simulated sex, ensuring the safety and comfort of performers. Dancers who are asked to sing or singers who are asked to dance will be fully compensated for both skills. Sets must provide adequate hair and makeup artists who can cater to the specific ethnicities and appearances of performers. Furthermore, more protections and funding will be provided for self-taped auditions.

Compensation has also been a major focus of the negotiations. The agreement establishes a new fund to pay performers for future viewings of their work on streaming services, in addition to traditional residuals. A 7% general wage increase is effective immediately, followed by a 4% hike in July and another 3.5% a year later. Background actors will receive an 11% increase immediately, followed by the same 4% and 3.5% increases over the years. Additionally, there will be increased funding for the relocation of actors who have to move for TV series appearances.

The deal marks a significant victory for SAG-AFTRA and its members, with studios acknowledging the need to establish new revenue streams. The agreement also sets a precedent for industry standards in terms of consent, representation, and compensation. While more detailed information about the terms of the agreement will be released next week, the Hollywood labor unrest appears to be coming to an end, paving the way for a new era in the entertainment industry.

Note: The Associated Press journalist Krysta Fauria contributed reporting to this news item.