Producers, casting directors reach deal

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- A group of Hollywood film and TV producers said Friday it has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for casting directors and associates.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said it has made a tentative deal with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters regarding a new contract for the U.S. entertainment industry's casting personnel.

"Bargaining concluded last night after three days of negotiations," the AMPTP said in a statement Friday. "The casting director agreement is the fifth labor pact negotiated by the producers so far this year and, along with four major guild agreements with American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Writers Guild of America and Directors Guild of America, the latest indication that our industry is now back to work."

A WGA strike against the AMPTP, which started late last year and lasted more than three months, shut down production on most U.S. television shows.

The AMPTP and the Screen Actors Guild have not been able to hammer out a new contract since their previous pact expired July 1. The producers made what they have described as their final offer on June 30. So far, SAG has not accepted the proposed contract.