SAG negotiator says any kind of rush is premature

Screen Actors Guild of America Chief Negotiator Doug Allen on Monday downplayed expectations that a proposed contract negotiated by directors would hold sway with actors.

"Each guild must act in the best interests of its own membership," Allen said in a statement. "The rush to anoint this agreement as the 'solution' for this industry is premature."

Allen said he was reserving judgment until he received more specific details of the directors contract that was announced last week. "Much of it is simply unknown,'' he added.

The remarks come a day before Hollywood's striking writers are set to resume talks with major studios, which are hoping to use their contract with the directors as the basis for deals with the writers and actors, whose contract expires June 30.

Directors achieved a doubling of the current residual rate for downloads of TV shows and movies and established payments for advertising-supported streaming.

Still, critics, including board members of SAG, say the agreement gives studios too big a promotional window for streaming movies and TV programs, and exempts too many original Web shows from union coverage.

-- Richard Verrier

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