U.K. Merchants Launch VOD Service Ideas Movies With Hollywood Content

British giant Dixons gets in around the VOD game. The audience, similar to the united states’s Best To Buy, lately introduced it might launch a streaming service referred to as Ideas Movies via its electronics merchants Currys and PC World, although partners weren't formerly revealed. Today it’s been added the service will unveil on March 1 with content from galleries including Disney and Warner Bros together with the United kingdom’s Momentum Pictures. The service won't behave as an immediate competitor to Netflix or Amazons LoveFilm because it will work on a pay-per-view, instead of subscription, model. Ideas game titles is going to be available on the day that because they are launched on DVD and Blu-ray and also the service will even come loaded on connected products offered store. Ideas Movies will even partner in Hollywoods purchase one, play anywhere UltraViolet digital library later this season. A complete pr release follows: Currys and PC World today introduced their expansion into a completely new category using the launch of Ideas Movies, their transactional on-demand movie and television streaming service. Available subscription-free of Thursday first March 2012, Ideas Movies is definitely an exciting new proposition in the UKs leading electrical merchants that will allow audiences to look at and purchase from a remarkable library of films and television shows from their Televisions, Mobile phones, laptops and pills. Joining track of major film galleries including Disney, Warner Bros, and Momentum Pictures means clients can rent or buy fantastic films and television episodes from launch, with new galleries being added imminently. With Ideas Movies, new releases will be included to the library at the time of release, meaning clients will get access to them the moment they become available. New releases are listed at 3.99 to rent and 12.99 to purchase and catalogue game titles are listed from 2.99 to rent and from 5.99 to purchase. Television shows start at 1.99. Because the UKs leading electrical merchants, Currys and PC World have been in the initial position of getting a captive audience to promote the brand new plan to, because they sell over 4.5million connected products every year and also have connection with 19million clients through in-store, on the internet and maintenance procedures. Each new connected device offered by Currys and PC World will include Ideas Movies pre-loaded and shown at purchase by store staff. Clients will have the ability to access their Ideas Movies on as much as five products, permitting these to start watching a movie on their own tablet in route home from work and continue watching while watching TV after they arrive home with no hiccups. Clients will even have the Ideas understanding site and United kingdom-based Customer Contact Center, just in case they've any queries while using the service. Initially readily available for Computers and Apple computers, Ideas Movies is going to be folded to pills, cell phones (both Android/iOS os's), Wise Televisions and consoles over the following six several weeks. Ideas Movies has joined with Rovi who'll manage digital supply chain and technical platform that provides the information to clients. Rovi is among the only firms that can provide the breadth of support and expertise across all of the products and platforms that Ideas Movies is going to be on. Understandably in the UKs biggest electrical store, Ideas Movies will even give clients accessibility best technology, enabling these to recreate the motion picture experience of their house with technology companies, including Apple Insider for Full-HD playback and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 seem for Televisions. Ideas Movies will even become an Ultraviolet store this year, working carefully using the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem, LLC (DECE) along with other UltraViolet stakeholders they are driving the need among customers to construct digital entertainment collections of the favourite movies and television shows. Niall OKeeffe, Ideas Development Director said: With Ideas Movies we're offering clients probably the most flexible service available they'll pay only for which they watch, will get access to all of the latest releases instantly, and may buy and examine films and television shows on an array of their connected products. Like a traditional store we're also within the unique position of having the ability to help clients who're less at ease with tech by showing them how you can install and employ the service. Televisions and also the home theatre sector is really a cornerstone in our business, and it is greatly exciting to become using this next thing and offering our clients great prepared to be loved on their own connected products. George Thangadurai, Gm of PC Client Services at Apple, added: “Intel Insider has opened up the doorways for that distribution and pleasure of premium content on Ultrabooks and Computers. Our collaboration with Dixons may be the latest illustration of how technology and entertainment can be employed in harmony to provide an excellent consumer experience. Ideas Movies clients will have the ability to watch the most recent movies on their own Ultrabooks watching them entirely 1080p HD on their own Televisions with Apple Wireless Display.”

Pilot Season: Lucy Liu to experience Watson in CBS' Elementary

Alan Ball Alan Ball will step lower as showrunner of True Bloodstream after next season. The creator and executive producer from the Cinemax vampire drama, which returns for Season 5 this summer time, introduced Monday he continues around the series inside a supervisory role should True Bloodstream be restored for any sixth season. He'll still behave as showrunner for that fifth season, that is presently being produced. True Blood's Alan Ball developing medical drama at Cinemax "True Bloodstream continues to be, and will still be, a highlight of not just my career but my existence," Ball stated inside a statement."Due to the great cast, authors, producers and crew, with whom I've been lucky enough to get work these past 5 years, I understand I possibly could take a step back and also the show continues to thrive when i anticipate new and exciting endeavors." "Whenever we extended our multi-year overall cope with Alan Ball in This summer 2011, we always intended when we proceeded to True Blood's sixth season that Alan would have a supervisory role around the series and never function as the day-to-day showrunner," Cinemax stated inside a statement. "When we go to season six, the show will stay within the very capable hands from the gifted team of authors and producers who've been using the show for several years." Ball's deal states he will build up series for Cinemax and Cinemax, where he already has two shows in contention. Banshee is to establish at Cinemax, and he's focusing on a medical drama for Cinemax. "This is actually the most effective world for Cinemax and Alan Ball," the network's statement continues."Alan will stay available as executive producer to see and recommend True Bloodstream and he'll be liberated to develop new shows for Cinemax and Cinemax. Banshee, which Alan can serve as executive producer, may be the first internally series for Cinemax and it is likely to begin production this spring." Cinemax renews True Bloodstream for any fifth season On Friday, Forbes.com reported that Ball was walking lower because of exhaustion. In This summer, Ball told reporters he wasn't prepared to leave behind True Bloodstream at this time. "You will see an finish for me personally sooner or later however i just closed an offer to complete another season," Ball stated at HBO's fall TV previews. "I haven't any need to leave because I am getting more enjoyable than I ever endured during my existence." Two days following the announcement of his new deal, Cinemax restored True Bloodstream for any 12-episode fifth season.

Spirit Awards: Weinstein Near-Sweep: The Artist, Michelle Wlliams, Jean Dujardin, Michel Hazanavicius, Guillaume Schiffman

SANTA MONICA The Artist won 4 awards. But its distributor The Weinstein Company swept 5 at today’s 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Picture, Best Male Lead, Best Female Lead, Best Director and Best Cinematographer.Hosted bySeth Rogen, the 27th annual awards ceremony took placeduring aluncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica.The Spirit Awards celebrate artist-driven filmmaking and recognizes the best achievements of todays independent filmmakers. This year the weather was cooperating: sunny and warm as the looky-loos lined up on the sand to snapa picture andgrab a handshake from their favorite stars arriving in afleet of black limos and cars. Seth Rogen opened the show by continuing the Spirit Awards’ long tradition ofprovocative standup,saying: “I have no fucking clue why were in a tent right now. There are previously existing structures where we could have done [the awards].You know you are at a class awars showif they have porto-potty.”… He notes how he’s “hosted a few Seders” before this. I dont know what the opposite of selling out is, but I want that to happen.” He tells the audience, “Im committed to watching all your movies. I made it through the first 5 minutes of every single one of them. Some start out slow, pretty fuckin slow. [He draws that out so its funnier.) ... Rogen lampoons Spirits for giving awards for Tallest Horse, Prettiest Pig"... He calls Spirits "the only awards show that is completely inconsequential. Nothing will come of this, absolutely nothing. It wont help you get paid any more. If anything, it proves youll work for nothing." Of all the four seasons there's no season like awards season. Without awards season we wouldn't know what a horrible bigot Brett Ratner is." ... "The Grammy's seem much more forgiving than the Oscars altogether. At the Grammys you can beat the shit out of your girlfriend and they'll ask you to perform. Twice." Rogen made fun of The Artist: "Didn't we learn anything from Roberto Bernini?" And he gave some backhanded compliments to George Clooney. "I loved The Descendants. I now know how George Clooney would look at a Jimmy Buffet concert: pretty fuckin sexy. You know a movie is good when it makes you feel bad for George Clooney." ... Rogen said it made him want to "hold him, caress him, undress him, then fuck the shit out of him." About the movie Drive, Rogen joked, "It made Jews look so scary I thought Mel Gibson made it... About the film Shame, Rogen noted how "Michael Fassbender's dick almost got the role of the knob in Albert Nobbs." Rogen went on to say, "Great year, I just learned there was another Olsen. The best one. Where were they keeping her?" Later, during the Spirit Awards show, Patricia Clarkson led a toast to the memory of independent film executive Bingham Ray who passed away at the most recent Sundance Film Festival: In January, we lost Bingham Ray. He was an independent film. He was gutsy, ingenious, a little out of focus, heartbreaking, unforgettable, and way too many curse words for PG-13. Please join me in a toast for this man that we loved very much. To Bingham. Thank you, Bingham. Wish you were here. Cheers, thank you. 2012 Film Independent Spirit Award Winners BEST FEATURE The Artist - Producer: Thomas Langmann Langmann onstagetalked about how hard it is getting film financing, thengave special thanks to Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Fremauxand The Weinstein Co's Harvey Weinstein. Backstage, Langmann was at first asked a question in French, drawing howls of protest from the English-speaking press. But the accommodating producer joked, I dont speak French,then immediately translated the question:It's about Harvey Weinstein, what is most important about him. [It is] his weight, he said, to laughter. I mean, hes big. And this is the end of our American career. He went on to praise Weinsteins tenacity in getting the movie made.”He came. He flew. We were totally unknown, and he went to see a movie that was silent and black and white.Our stars were not known here. He thought there was something that made it worth flying to come to see the movie. And he did, and here we are today. I have nothing bad to say. He called having this movie recognizeda tribute to Hollywood cinema,a dream come true. When director Michel Hazanavicius arrivedbackstage to join Langmann and actors James Cromwell and Penelope Ann Miller, Langmann deferred to the director. This is Mr. Magic, he said. SaidHazanavicius, There is no recipe to build magic, and credited luck and hiring talented people.He joked about the demands of constantly appearing atawards showsthis season. Its not the worst job you can find.People say you are nice guy, you are talented, you have a very charming French accent.And we have the police come to escort us from the airport. That was great! The director said he’s feeling a little stage fright for tomorrows Oscars. I can’t say Im super cool.But today -this is important too. This means a lot because it is a small movie, its not expensive, we did it with small money, and its black and white and silent.” But, with another apparent wink to Weinstein,”Small money, but his money,” the director added. BEST DIRECTOR Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist The Artist filmmakers just landedfrom the French Casar Awards and drovehere with a police escort (your tax dollars at work), according to Hazanavicius in his acceptance speech: “We just arrived from France five minutes ago. We came from the airport with a police escort so it was like a theme from Drive. As for independent film, you’re never really independent because you always need somebody.” BEST SCREENPLAY Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash – The Descendants BEST FIRST FEATURE (given to the director and producer) Margin Call – Director: J.C. Chandor; Producers: Robert Ogden Barnum, Michael Benaroya, Neal Dodson, Joe Jenckes, Corey Moosa, Zachary Quinto Chandor said backstage: “There was a tremendous concern inbringing this property to the screen and in shopping this around we could notfind the money to do it.There was trepidation about it.” Chandor noted that Quinto helped get his friends to take roles.”Castingwas always a big moving puzzle.But one by one, it came together.” Quinto said backstage: “The thing that actors respond to is material.When I read the script, it was unequivocally clear that I wanted to get behindthis project.J.C.’s affability, his ability to articulate his point of viewput actors at ease and disarmed them.I think all the credit goes back to J.C.Everyone signed on because of him and his screenplay. I just had to twist somearms.” Quinto said he’sproducing Chandor’s follow-up which is goinginto pre-productionsoon. BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY Will Reiser – 50/50 Reiser onstage said he “had to give credit where credit is due — to cancer”. (At 24, Reiser was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Six years later, he got a clean bill of health andwrote afilm comedy based on his cancer experiences.) The best part of winning, Reiser said backstage, was being part of a “prestigious list of names, writers who have been major influences. To be listed amongst those names is really special. I had no idea how much the movie would connect with people, because it was so personal to me and the guys, Seth and Evan.” He was affected by “how it has really touched people and connected with people, especially people who have been affected by cancer who can really relate to it.”He added that winning an Indie award was especially gratifying because in commercial film there “is less and less room for films like these.” And if you thought cancer was funny, Reiser says his next project is a comedy about Alzheimer’s disease based on a vacation he took with his grandmother who was in the early stages of the disease. He and grandma mistakenly ended up at a Jamaican couples resort. “And I lost her,” Reiser said. JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD Given to the writer,directo, and producer of the best feature made for under $500,000 Pariah Writer/Director: Dee Rees; Producer: Nekisa Cooper Rees said onstage: “Anytime we can have two whiskies before noon is alright…” “Pariah is a film about identity,” said director and writer Dee Rees backstage. “It’s a universal concept that everyone can relate to.I only referenced one other film in making this, and it was Paris Is Burning. The filmmakers of that movie thrust you in, exploring their world. We trusted the audience and didn’t want to overexplain.This award is meaningful to me because Cassavetes is one of my favorite directors.” Producer Nekisa Cooper said backstage:”You make a film for a half a million dollars and you’re always a winner.It took a village to make this film –IFP, Sundance Institute, Spike Lee. Our D.P. built lights to try to figure out ways to make shots better.We shot in 18 days, and we had a creative and technical crew. Our production designer transformed a 4-story brownstone into 10 different locations.”Cooper gave this advise towannabe filmmakers: “Find a good producer. Someone who’ll support a good vision around your film.” Presented by Anne Heche who reminded the audience, “There’s no such thing as a small film. Just a cheap film.” BEST FEMALE LEAD Michelle Williams – My Week With Marilyn Williams said onstage: “I came here to the Spirits for the first time 10 years ago and I wore my own clothesback then, they were not very good, and cut my ownhair,not so good.But I still remember the feeling that in this room, unlike others, that was OK. Because this was a room full of misfits, outlaws, loners, dreamers, mumblers, dropouts, just like me. Thank you for supporting me and welcoming me and making me feel at home in this room and this community. All the way back then, and now, when the only thing that I own that I am wearing is my dignity.” Backstage, Williams said that her friends think, “She’s the Susan Lucci of the Indie Spirit Awards” after not winning for nominated roles in Brokeback Mountain, Land Of Plenty, Wendy And Lucy, and Blue Valentine. About each film, she said, “I’m lucky to work with better and better people.” (She did share an ensemble award for 2008′s Synecdoche, NY.) Aboutportraying Marilyn Monroe, “Sometimes I can’t believe I did this role. I had to remove the fact that shewas an icon and put that out of my mind. I tried to think of her as an ordinary girl, which is how she wanted to be remembered. There wasn’t one pathway to her. The only way for me into her was time, so much time, and letting Marilyn dictate and letting the information about her take shape, rather than me controlling it. The most challenging thing in prepping a role like this is going through whatevermoments you’re facing at the time.” Does Williams feel sexier after playing the bombshell? “No, not really,” Williams deadpanned. BEST MALE LEAD Jean Dujardin – The Artist Dujardin was not here to accept, apparently because the plane carrying The Artist‘s talent and filmmakers coming into Los Angeles from the Cesar Awards in Paris hasn’t yet landed. Penelope Ann Miller accepted for Dujardin. Dujardin’s brother Marc Dujardin was supposed to accept for him but couldn’t be found. (“Perhaps he’s out having a cigarette” the person who came to accept said…) BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE Shailene Woodley – The Descendants Woodley said onstage: “To Fox Searchlight, Alexander Payne, and everyone in this film. They taught me tobe a better human being. I know that sounds so cheesy, but it’s true!” Backstage, the young actress who also stars in ABC Family’s The Secret Life Of The American Teenager, said she was shocked to win today over Oscar favorite Octavia Spencer — apparently not realizing that Spencer wasn’t nominated for a Spirit Award because The Help was ineligible. “She is such a nice woman, I definitely didn’t expect it,” Woodley said.”Im so grateful. I dont know if surprise is the right word. I think gratitude says it all.The role transformed me as a human being. I was surrounded by gentle kind grateful souls. Being on the film and experiencing it at 18 was kind of a catalyst for me as I was coming into my own.”As for herSecret Life colleagues, “Everyone is super stoked for me, it’s a beautiful supportive family.” She has no more movies in store and plans to continue to concentrate on the TV show, she said. BEST SUPPORTING MALE Christopher Plummer – Beginners Plummer said onstage: It’s taken me the longest time to realize the Spirit AwArds has nothing to do with booze. Pity really… I raise my glass to the dear Michael Mills who’s given me an extraordinary gift. Also to Ewan McGregor, that scene-stealing swine… Taking the microphone backstage, Plummer joked to a reporter motioning to him “What is it, do you want me to come sit down besides you?!” Despite all the notoriety this season for his role of Hal Fields in The Beginners, Plummer mentioned his role of Captain Von Trapp from The Sound of Music – something he rarely talks about.”My old persona seems to chase me around every year. Every generation of child has to go through Sound of Music. However, this film Beginners hasn’t been seen by a tremendous amount of people.By winning, I hope it helps this amazing film be seen again. I know it’s on DVD, but hopefully they’ll reissue it.” As far as what’s next, Plummer is going to do an HBOproject. “I’m going to croak any minute, so I have to keep going.” On how Plummer prepared for his Beginners role of an older man who comes out of the closet later in life, Plummer joked, “The whole crew was gay!…Actually, the director wrote a role with so much affection. I took the role because it was so human.”He had plenty of praise for his canine co-star in Beginners. “I think our Cosmo was much more human than Uggie from The Artist. That Uggie is just a trickster.” Later onstage, Goran Visnjic, who played Christopher Plummer’s young lover in Beginners, said: “I never thought I would get to work with the amazing Christopher Plummer, much less make out with him.” BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Guillaume Schiffman – The Artist Schiffman was on that plane carrying The Artist‘s talent and filmmakers coming into Los Angeles from the Cesar Awards in Paris and which hasn’t yet landed. Penelope Ann Miller accepted for him. BEST DOCUMENTARY(given to the director and producer) The Interrupters – Director/Producer: Steve James Producer: Alex Kotlowitz James already received a special distinction trophy for 1994′s Hoop Dreams. He said backstage: “This award means a lot for a film like this because it’s about urban violence in Chicago, and for this film to culminate with an award it means a lot.” The Interrupters tells the story of three community activists inChicago and the violencethat impacted the city. “Wherever you live, there are people trying to deal with this issue. The film was inspired by an article my producer Alex Kotlowitz wrote in The NY Times magazine,” explained James. “As far as being a filmmaker in Chicago, it’s a great place to be. When I went to Sundance, I was always asked if I was from Los Angeles or NY. Chicago is a great filmmaking and documentary community and all the filmmakers are close knit. We pull for each other. It’s the quintessential American city where you can tell every story.” James said he and Koslowitz plan to work together again, with an eye on feature collaborations. BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (given to the director) A Separation(Iran) – Director: Asghar Farhadi Onstage in Farsi, Farhadi said: “These must be independent awards because I’ve never received an award ina tent by the beach…” PIAGET PRODUCERSAWARD (honors emerging producers who,despite highly limited resources demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, andvision required to produce quality, independent films.Includes $25,000 unrestricted grant.) Sophia Lin – Take Shelter SOMEONE TO WATCHAWARD (recognizestalented filmmakerof singular visionwho hasnot yet received appropriate recognition.Includes$25,000 unrestricted grant) Mark Jackson – Without TRUER THAN FICTIONAWARD(presented to an emergingdirector of non-fiction features who has not yet received significantrecognition.Includes$25,000 unrestricted grant.) Heather Courtney – Where Soldiers Come From ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD(given to one films director, casting director, and its ensemble cast) Margin Call Director: J.C. Chandor; Casting Director: Tiffany Little Canfield,Bernard Telsey; Ensemble Cast: Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, PaulBettany, Jeremy Irons, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Zachary Quinto, KevinSpacey, Stanley Tucci Zachary Quinto accepted the award and said onstage. “As an actor in this film, I have great memories. As a producer, every day was abig fucking nightmare. Like having two Oscar winners and their schedules.I will take these lessons less happily with me but with a lot of newknowledge.” (Deadline contributors: Brian Brooks, Anthony D’Alessandro, Diane Haithman)

Friday Evening Lights and Hart of Dixie Star Scott Porter Is Engaged

Following a slow start for Safe House, the film edged the Vow for that No. 1 place in the box office throughout Presidents' Day Weekend. The Denzel Washington-fronted film, which finished third on Friday, made... Find Out More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Denzel WashingtonReese WitherspoonTom HardyChris PineStar Wars Episode I: The Phantom MenaceThe GreyThe Lady In BlackChronicleGhost Driver: Spirit Of VengeanceSafe HouseThe VowJourney 2: The Mysterious IslandThis Means WarThe Secret Realm Of Arrietty

Wet Hot American Summer season Follow-up Active!

Michael Showalter offers confirmationWet Hot American Summer season is most likely not the widely used funny film available, plus it certainly wasn't most likely the very best. But, as being a secret handshake among comedy connoisseurs, it's extended since be considered a quotable cult hit. Now co-creator Michael Showalter has confirmed he and regular collaborator David Wain hold the cast wanting to pay attention to a follow-up.Wain and Showalter first birthed the main one factor in 2001, where it turned up in cinemas to crickets and little critical support. However when it hit DVD, it needed off, and finally found the success it deserved.Occur 1981 at Camping Wooden, the film happens other family people . just before the different campers are due to mind for their parents. Along with the staff and teens who focus on the region, there's still plenty of incomplete business to handle, including love both requited and unrequited, the talent show as well as the small couple of a slice of Skylab falling to Earth that could just hit them...Even when explore think a thing that flopped in cinemas 11 in the past would be capable of grab a follow-up, consider the cast incorporated a roll-call of talent who've gone onto have large careers, including Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Amy Poehler, David Hyde Pierce and Janeane Garofalo. Showalter, speaking here network Bravo's Watch What Continues show, now states that everyone is excited to return. We should admit we question if Cooper may have time, consider his schedule is becoming a little more open...Back last June, Wain and Showalter first confirmed that they're taking into consideration the concept on Rob Goldsmith's excellent Q&A podcast, it is therefore nice to find out this factor seems being ongoing to maneuver forward. There's no official studio attached yet, but we'll keep our fingers joined.Be ready to find out more relevant for this as Wain and Showalter hit the press tour for approaching comedy Wanderlust, which ambles in on March 2.

ANALYSIS: SAG and AFTRA Unveil Merger Documents

SAG and AFTRA posted long-awaited merger documents on their websites today, detailing the structure of a new SAG-AFTRA that advocates hope will bring stability, unity and greater leverage but that a minority faction in SAG's Hollywood Division fears will mean the collapse of bargaining power, residuals and the guild itself.In about 80 pages of lawyerly language, two documents a merger agreement and a new constitution incorporate geographic and occupational diversity into a structure encompassing 10 national officers, 80 national board members (including the 10 officers), a biannual convention, a national executive committee and about three dozen locals, each with their own officers, boards and constitutions.Unexpectedly, the unions also released a third document, a feasibility study by experienced ERISA attorneys that in effect supports merging the two unions' pension and health plans. P&H has been the battleground on which merger opponents have staked their flag.The merger agreement and constitution indicate that existing members of either of the two unions there are currently almost 150,000 on active status will be grandfathered in to the new organization. However, if the unions merge, aspiring actorsactors non-members will find that getting in will be harder but the initiation fee will be lower than the two unions' existing fees combined. As the documents disclose, dues will go up for some members and down for others; it may be easier for the union to strike; and the rules governing agents will become even more confusing than they are already.The unions will launch a new, joint website that the unions on Friday to support the merger campaign, with details, FAQs and a calendar of informational meetings and other events. The ballot materials themselves will be sent to the two unions' membership for a vote on or about February 27, with a return and tabulation deadline of March 30.Meanwhile, here's a review of the documents released today.Pension and Health The P&H feasibility study could be a game changer, in light of its direct conclusions and credentialed pedigree of its author attorney Deborah Lerner, who's represented P&H plans in over two dozen plan mergers and half-dozen other lawyer contributors with decades of experience in ERISA, the key area of federal law that governs pension and health plans.According to the study, several hundred multiemployer pensions have merged over the last 25 years and there is no legal obstacle to merging the SAG and AFTRA pension and health plans. The report goes on to say that multiemployer plan mergers do not pose any increased risk of loss of benefits, according to the government agency in charge of mergers the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and plan trustees have a legal obligation to ensure that no participant's accrued benefits will be less after the merger than before.Rather than increasing risk, the report contends that "mergers are common and beneficial because they strengthen the financial base of the surviving plan, reduce administrative expenses, and permit employees to concentrate their covered work under one benefit structure." Even though merger of the unions would not automatically result in merger of the plans, the study says it would enable a structure where earnings under both plans could be combined for purposes of establishing eligibility, and would also facilitate the possibility of merging the plans.Based on their experience with hundreds of plan mergers, the study's authors conclude that such mergers have resulted in plans that are "more cost efficient, more stable and have been in the best interests of the plans' participants and beneficiaries."Underlying all of this is a key principle: as is legally required, the pension and health plans are jointly controlled by the unions and management, and are thus beyond the memberships' power to directly affect. The merger agreement says only that the new union will use its best efforts to maintain the current level of plan funding and of terms and conditions for members' workNotably, also, the new study is not an actuarial analysis of merger of the SAG and AFTRA plans. No such study has been done recently, so far as is known. The last study the so-called Mercer report was conducted in connection with the 2003 attempt to merge SAG and AFTRA.That report was never publicly released, and leaks by partisans in various camps management, pro-merger labor, anti-merger labor have offered divergent claims regarding its conclusions. It's unclear in any case whether those conclusions would be applicable today, eight years later, in light of dramatic changes in the economy, stock market, healthcare costs, entertainment industry, and distribution of television work between the two unions. Without a copy of the report, it's impossible to tell.Strikes and Contracts Subtle changes to the rules regarding strike-authorization votes have not even been hinted at in reports over the past weeks and months, but might come to loom large. Under the current "Phase I" rules, obtaining a strike authorization on the TV/theatrical contract requires mailing a ballot to the entire combined membership of the two unions, then obtaining a Yes vote from 75 percent of those voting.The new constitution retains the 75 percent figure, but limits voting to affected members, an ambiguous term that at least arguably limits the electorate to members who work under the contract at issue. The new rules also allow electronic balloting or voting at in-person meetings, as an alternative to mailed referenda. Also, if an employer seeks to impose a final contract offer or terminate an existing union agreement, the national board will have emergency authority to declare a strike.In a more positive vein, contracts can be ratified on a majority vote of affected members, with voting conducted by mail, electronically or in-person. As before, contract proposals will be developed by a wages and working conditions committee, and negotiations conducted by a negotiations committee.Talent Agents Of interest to agents is how they'll be regulated under the new union if merger passes. That's an issue because SAG's "franchise agreement" with talent agencies lapsed a decade ago with respect to agencies that are members of the talent agent associations in Los Angeles (ATA) or NY (NATR), whereas AFTRA's continues in force. The new structure leaves the differences intact: Until the national board adopts a comprehensive approach, each union's existing franchise agreement will apply to work within its prior jurisdiction, as well as to employment under that union's collective bargaining agreements in areas where jurisdiction previously overlapped.However, in the case of SAG work and ATA or NATR talent agencies, the agencies' own agreements (called GSAs) will continue to apply, rather than the expired franchise agreement. Preexisting waivers or adjustments will also remain in place for the time being.Working Rules Another area where the unions diverge is in their rules against working non-union. SAG's Global Rule 1 is strictly enforced, whereas AFTRA's "No Contract/No Work" rule is more loosely interpreted. Each of the preexisting rules will continue to apply within the prior union's traditional jurisdiction unless and until modified.Fees and Dues As "The Hollywood Reporter" previously reported, the new union's initiation fee will be $3,000, which is higher than SAG's $2,277 or AFTRA's $1,600, but less than the two combined.That translates to a 23% savings for actors who would otherwise join both unions as many do, since the overwhelming majority of new scripted television series have gone AFTRA since 2009, while movies remain a SAG-only business.Initiation fees aren't the only cost associated with union membership: there are also annual dues which, as with SAG and AFTRA, will be divided for SAG-AFTRA into a base component plus a percentage component based on earnings under the collective bargaining agreements.As THR previously reported, dues will decrease for some members and increase for others under a merged union. Base dues will be $198 per year, which is a decrease for dual-cardholders currently paying $116 to SAG and $128 to AFTRA.Work dues will be 1.575% of all earnings up to $500,000, earned under SAG, AFTRA, AFTRA Local or SAG-AFTRA union agreements. However, for any member working exclusively under non-multiemployer broadcaster agreements, work dues are 1.575% of earnings up to $100,000, plus 0.274% of earnings from $100,000 to $250,000.In a new development, initiation fees and base dues will automatically increase by 2% per year, starting three years after merger. In addition, they can be increased by a majority vote of the members or a 2/3 vote of the biannual convention delegates. That latter group, however, can only authorize an increase of 5% per year, and can't schedule any increases more than two years into the future.Membership Requirements As THR previously detailed, AFTRA's open door policy which allows anyone to join the union online by paying the initiation fee will end if the unions merge. Instead, someone will be eligible to join if: They've worked, are working or are about to work in a position covered by a SAG-AFTRA, AFTRA or SAG collective bargaining agreement other than as a background actor; They've completed three (3) days of work as a background actor under a SAG-AFTRA, AFTRA or SAG collective bargaining agreement; or The national board determines that the person is engaged in work that advances the union's organizing efforts or general goals.It's unclear whether one year's membership in Actors' Equity (plus having at least one principal role) or several smaller live performance unions will remain an avenue toward membership post-merger.Governance The new union will be governed initially by co-presidents, co-secretary-treasurers, a group of officers from both unions, an executive committee, and an unwieldy combined board comprised of the two unions' existing boards plus AFTRA national officers who are not otherwise accounted for.This transitional structure will last until the new union's first biannual convention, which will be in Los Angeles sometime before the end of September 2013.The national offices, and the initial office-holders, are: president (initially, as co-Presidents, SAG president Ken Howard and AFTRA president Roberta Reardon), executive vice president (current SAG 1st VP Ned Vaughn), co-Secretary-Treasurers (SAG's Amy Aquino and AFTRA's Matt Kimbrough), a VP from "the largest Local" (i.e., Los Angeles; AFTRA 2nd VP Gabrielle Carteris), a VP from the second largest Local (NY; SAG 2nd VP Mike Hodge), a VP from a tier of mid-size Locals, a VP from a tier of Small Locals (current SAG 3rd VP David Hartley-Margolin), an actor/performer VP (the current SAG Hollywood Division 1st Vice Chair), a broadcaster VP and a recording VP. In the interim structure, Reardon will appoint the Broadcaster, Recording Artist and Mid-size Local Vice Presidents from among the current AFTRA VPs.After the transition period, newly elected national officers will serve two-year terms, but the way they're elected will differ. Members will directly elect the president and secretary-treasurer; the executive VP will be elected by all convention delegates; and the geographic and occupational VPs will be elected by corresponding delegate caucuses. Elected delegates themselves will have two-year terms, while board members will serve for four years (except that some of those elected in 2013 will serve two-year terms, so that subsequent elections will be staggered). National officers, national board members and the presidents of each Local will be ex officio delegates.In a change from current SAG governance, the new constitution will require that board member alternates must have been elected to a Local's board or as Convention Delegate, and will also prohibit resigning board members from picking their own successors.As with both unions today, board members' votes in the new union will be weighted. In a twist, however, if the votes cast by LA board members (excluding the national officers) exceed a majority of the total votes cast, then an enhanced provision kicks in, requiring that a motion achieve a majority that's at least 5% above the total votes cast by LA board members, or that among the board members voting in favor, there must be one from LA, one from NY, one from a mid-size Local and one from a small one.The governance structure will also include a national broadcasters steering committee and a committee of Locals, which will represent the interests of Locals outside of NY and Los Angeles.On the staff side, there will be co-national executive directors. The documents don't indicate the co-NEDs' terms, or any other details regarding merger of staff (some of whom are themselves unionized).Locals The new union will have offices in LA, NY, and other places as decided by the board. Initially, at least, all of the existing SAG branches and AFTRA Locals will be retained, with duplicates merging by December. That results in a list of about three dozen Locals: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Dallas, Detroit, Fresno, Hawaii, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles (Hollywood), Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, NY, Omaha, Orlando, Peoria, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Rochester, Sacramento/Stockton, San Diego, San Francisco, Schenectady, Seattle, St. Louis, St. Paul, Utah, and Washington-BaltimoreThe Locals will apparently have significant autonomy: Subject to national board oversight, they'll have the right to organize members, and even conduct collective bargaining and call strikes, unless the collective bargaining agreement at issue is a national one or affects more than one Local.An unanswered question: Will the hometown Local be known as "Los Angeles" (AFTRA terminology) or "Hollywood" (SAG's)?Contract Waivers Initially, at least, waivers will handled as follows: commercials, corporate, educational and non-broadcast will be handled by existing joint committees. Waivers to AFTRA-only contracts will be reviewed by the executive committee. Waivers related to movie and television contracts (other than AFTRA-only) including in the sensitive area of basic cable will be handled by a committee composed of the members of SAG's existing television & theatrical contract standing committee plus an equal number of members selected by AFTRA president Reardon. There'll also be a new committee for waivers in interactive media (videogames).Miscellaneous If the merger passes, the two unions will merge into a new entity legally, a Delaware corporation to be formally called Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists but that will brand itself as SAG-AFTRA.The new union will succeed to AFTRA's current AFL-CIO charter and will be a member of the umbrella group called the "Associated Actors and Artistes of America," or Four A's. The new union will assume the collective bargaining rights of the existing unions and will make a demand that employers recognize it.The new union will also succeed to the existing unions' rights and obligations regarding foundations, subsidiary organizations, awards shows and programs, and other SAG or AFTRA-related entities. Other than that, there aren't any details on what the merger will mean for the SAG Awards, SAGIndie, SAG and AFTRA Foundations, and the like.Finally, in case one merger's not enough, the documents provide that future mergers can be approved by 60% of members voting or 60% of delegates voting in convention. The Hollywood Reporter