Hollywood Studios Seek AI Replicas of Actors, For Free
A contemporary crisis is unfolding within the cinematic universe, as Hollywood studios propose to employ Artificial Intelligence (AI) to replicate actors' images and use them indefinitely, without consent or compensation. The stage was set for this heated contention when Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the chief negotiator of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), revealed the studios' AI proposition during a press conference, where actors confirmed they were on strike.
SAG-AFTRA's relationship with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) has been strained for the past month, with ongoing negotiations reaching a dead-end. This impasse triggered a powerful outcry from SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, who criticized the AMPTP's disrespectful treatment towards the union and expressed fears about actors' careers being jeopardized by AI.
The 'groundbreaking' AI proposal suggests that background performers be scanned for a day's pay, following which the company owns the scan, image, and likeness of the actor, who could be represented in an unlimited number of projects with no consent or additional payment. This proposition elicited shock and anger from the acting community, with actors voicing their concerns about the potential harm it could bring to their careers.
Background actors, often seen in crowd scenes or as passersby, play a vital role in the cinematic experience. They provide a stepping stone for aspirants, offering them valuable on-set experience, the potential to make industry connections, and, with time, the possibility of landing more significant roles. With union members earning less than $200 a day for up to 18-hour-long shoots, this work represents a lifeline for many performers and a much-needed safety net between more substantial roles.
Fears are now mounting among these actors that the new proposal could create an irreversible void in their careers, depriving them of income and opportunities to progress in the industry. They are gravely concerned that the studios could use their images in projects they may not endorse. The idea of their likeness being used without consent in potentially controversial contexts is deeply disturbing.
Moreover, this move could harm not only the actors but also ripple through the industry, affecting other departments like costumes, hair and makeup, and assisting roles which largely depend on handling background roles.
As negotiations reached a standstill and the SAG-AFTRA deadline approached, insiders have noted the aggressive stance AMPTP seems to be taking against the unions. Reports are suggesting that the producers are prepared to play a waiting game, hoping that economic hardship will eventually force the unions' hands.
In conclusion, Hollywood's fascination with AI and its potential implications on actors' livelihoods and careers serves as a stark reminder of the ethical challenges of technology. With the fight between the studios and the unions reaching a fever pitch, the future of Hollywood looks like it could be a scene right out of a Black Mirror episode. One thing is clear – as AI continues to evolve and penetrate industries, it becomes essential to negotiate ethical boundaries and consider the human cost of technological advances.