SAG lets indies off the hook

The union representing Hollywood’s actors, seeking to address the disruption in the independent film business caused by fears over a possible strike, said that certain productions would be allowed to continue shooting in the event of a walkout.

On Tuesday, the Screen Actors Guild announced it would offer contracts guaranteeing that producers of independent films could keep the cameras rolling past the expiration of the actors contract on June 30.

But there is a catch: Only producers who do not have financing or distribution with a studio or company represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers would qualify. Producers also would have to agree to abide by any SAG interim contract.

“These [contracts] will allow independent producers to continue their work and continue to generate job opportunities for our members,” Doug Allen, national executive director of SAG, said in a statement.

SAG offered such contracts in 2001, when there were similar fears of an actors strike.

The contracts are aimed at reassuring bond companies that have stopped issuing policies that protect investors in independent films because of concerns that shooting might be halted by an actors strike. Bond companies could lift the shooting deadline for productions that qualify for a SAG waiver.

“That’s fantastic news,” said Randall Emmett, producer of upcoming thriller “Righteous Kill,” who was forced to shelve several projects.

The guild said the policy was adopted by its board in October, but the union announced the program Tuesday, following reports highlighting how movie projects were being disrupted by the possibility of a strike by actors. Guild officials declined to comment.

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richard.verrier@latimes.com