Jessica Chastain Urges Independent Film Producers to Sign Interim Agreements Amid Ongoing Strike

Actress and producer Jessica Chastain is asking independent producers to sign interim agreements amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.

"If a majority of independent producers, come forward and sign the Interim Agreement deal it will show the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) how wrong they are when they say our contract terms are unrealistic or unreasonable," the Memory star tweeted on Sunday.

"These agreements also provide employment opportunities for our crew members who are really struggling during the strike," she added. "By doing this, we advance our strike agenda as we keep the pressure on the struck companies in a way that nothing else will.”

Chastain accompanied her comments with a video of SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, who commented in the clip, "It’s strategic, the interim agreements, because the independents have to agree to our proposal."

"It shows the AMPTP that we’re not being unrealistic, but we’re actually being fair and thoughtful to our member body," Drescher added.

Per SAG-AFTRA's strike guidance, an interim agreement is defined as a contract that includes all terms and conditions for producers looking to employ the union's members on their specific independent productions.

In order to obtain an interim agreement, a producer must operate independently from companies belonging to the AMPTP, and agree to terms proposed by SAG-AFTRA in its negotiations with the AMPTP.