SAG, AMPTP: Hanks dials into backchannel talks (LAT, VAR, DHD)

By Nancy Tartaglione-Vialatte

SAG leaders including interim Executive Director David White and chief negotiator John McGuire have been having informal backchannel talks with studio executives this week in an effort to break the stalemate, reports the Los Angeles Times. Joining in the effort are such A-listers as Tom Hanks who have reached out to high-ranking execs to urge a compromise with the union.

Hanks and other A-listers have made calls to high-ranking executives at the major media conglomerates, says the LAT. The nudging is said to have had an effect with folks including News Corp. President Peter Chernin and Disney CEO Bob Iger having talked amongst themselves this week about how to resolve the dispute.

The conversations are said to be primarily focused on finding a compromise over the key sticking point of contract length. The most recent talks between the guild and the studios hit a wall with SAG insisting on a two-year deal to keep its expiration in line with the terminations of the DGA, WGA and AFTRA deals. The studios have insisted on a three-year term, saying that giving SAG a shorter term would break precedent.

There are signs, however, that both sides may be willing to compromise. "The CEOs are actively talking among themselves about a search for a possible solution," one person familiar with the talks told the LAT.

Over a year ago, Hanks and George Clooney joined with Robert DeNiro and Meryl Streep in urging SAG leaders to negotiate as early as possible.