Stars Sign New Contract

Has the recession humbled Hollywood stars? The year-long dispute between film and television companies and the Screen Actors Guild is finally over, which means that wary studios, freed from the threat of a strike, are likely to push new films into production. On Tuesday, an overwhelming 78 percent of SAG's 120,000 members voted to accept the two-year contract the studios offered. Initially, the proposed contract sharply divided the union, although eventually a pro-contract campaign led by Tom Hanks and George Clooney won the membership over. New media rights were the main issue on the table, with members like Martin Sheen and Ed Harris opposing the deal studios offered and suggesting that actors might miss out on the future earnings potential of online videos.