Final Figures Confirm AFTRA Affiliated in 66 or 70 Pilots

The digital revolution that swept TV production this pilot season also has swept AFTRA into place as the dominant actors union.

The looming possibility of a SAG strike and the lure of the less-expensive and more-flexible digital production has accelerated the transition from film to digital. The union affiliation for a pilot and the subsequent series is determined by the method of filming: film for SAG and digital for AFTRA. That is firmed up after directors are hired, and with all pilot helmers in place, the final union pilot tally is coming together.

Sixty-six of 70 pilots this season will be AFTRA-affiliated, up from a handful last pilot season. The tally doesn't include the "NCIS" and "Gossip Girl" spinoffs as they are filmed as episodes of the regular series under the same conditions as the existing shows.