AFTRA Reaches Agreement For New Voice-Overs Contract

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists has reached an agreement with video game industry representatives that will see the industry's first ever streaming payments for voice-over performers. The current AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement contract is set to expire on June 30. This new 3 1/2 year agreement will see performers paid via a new cloud gaming fee, where artists are first paid a 15 percent one-time payment before the streaming payments. The contract will also see contributions to the AFTRA Health and Retirement Fund increased by 0.5 percent to 15.5 percent, while an extra 3 percent will be added on to all minimum compensation over the life of the contract, with 1 percent added immediately once the contract is ratified. This will bring the new minimum fee for a 4-hour session to $809, while effective on May 1, 2013, the minimum fee will jump to $825. AFTRA executive director Mathis L. Dunn, Jr. said of the new contract, "We now have a clear and enforceable provision where performers will see real dollars immediately. Cloud gaming is a growing part of the digital future and AFTRA is in on the ground floor." "This new provision guarantees that AFTRA members will continue to be a vital and relevant part of the gaming community. I applaud our Negotiating Committee for their hard work and vision."