SAG Says Members Made $1.6 Billion in ’97

Members of the Screen Actors Guild made a record $1.6 billion in 1997, according to figures released by the guild. The figures, compiled by the SAG-Producers Pension and Health Plans, show the biggest increase in 1997 coming from commercials (a 12.5% increase), followed by television (5.9%). Earnings from theatrical motion pictures, however, were down 10.2%, according to SAG. The release comes as SAG continues to negotiate with producers for a new television and motion picture contract. SAG President Richard Masur said he could not comment on the TV and theatrical figures due to the negotiations, but he attributed the strong commercial gains to the new SAG commercial contract that took effect in July. He said that although some SAG members felt that contract was “not as strong a deal as it could’ve been,” the figures show otherwise.