Hollywood writers go on strike

One might think an actor picket line is ridiculous. Tom Cruise and Sandra Bullock holding up signs?

But the vast, vast majority of actors in the industry are complete regular people looking to make a living wage in LA while pursuing the longshot of hoping to get their foot in the door.

 

The AI thing is a legit threat. Actors are now being asked as part of their movie contract to undergo a full body scan that would enable the studio to generate detailed deepfake AI in their image, and the limits of those images and their use, terms of payment for its use, limitations on what the images can be used for, none of that is part of standard boilerplate contracts yet. Name, image, and likeness are a big deal to actors. It is literally their livelihood.

 

There are going to be so many terrible cameos from long-dead actors in franchises in the near future.

 

It’s not just the actors you’ve hear of, either.

As film and TV actors skipped San Diego Comic-Con in support of the SAG-AFTRA strike, a number of voice actors gathered to show their support — and raise awareness about the threat of artificial intelligence on their industry.​

The National Association of Voice Actors hosted a panel Saturday morning, where multiple actors and SAG officials spoke to a packed room about how rapidly changing AI technology can threaten both fans and creators... The panelists took a deep dive into the many different forms of AI, particularly in its use in voice work — from original voices like Apple's Siri to synthetic voices copying live actors. All cautioned that AI inherently is not a bad tool and can in some ways enhance voice performances, but fans and actors should push back against exploitative methods.

"Voice acting is the tip of the spear of how AI can either be used to lift people up and enhance the opportunities that actors have — or be used in a negative way to steal their voices and crush human creativity," SAG-AFTRA executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland told the crowd. "We need to be very vigilant about that. AI isn't implementing itself. People are choosing to implement AI. So, we've got to reject the idea that this is something that is going to happen to us, and there's nothing to be done about that. That is an absolute myth that is being foisted upon us by the people who want us to think we have no power."

Ultimately, the panelists explained, it all comes down to consent. Currently, there are no federal or international laws protecting a person's likeness, and many existing contracts allow a company to capture an actor's voice or likeness and use it "in perpetuity." NAVA and SAG-AFTRA are calling upon voice actors and fans alike to push back, both by establishing protective contract language and by pushing for global laws.

Ultimately, the panelists explained, it all comes down to consent. Currently, there are no federal or international laws protecting a person's likeness, and many existing contracts allow a company to capture an actor's voice or likeness and use it "in perpetuity." NAVA and SAG-AFTRA are calling upon voice actors and fans alike to push back, both by establishing protective contract language and by pushing for global laws.​

Voice actors denounce exploitative AI at Comic-Con

 

At least one actor is thinking of the others and making a difference:

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Donates Unprecedented 7 Figures To Striking Actors

Just wow, what a show of support. He's my hero (at least for today )

 

'Jeopardy!' Champs Say They Won’t Cross Picket Line In Support Of The Show’s Writers

 

Who here has a SAG card? (I don't.)

 

So ... Should It Stay or Should It Go?

 

Earache My Eye

 

Sister Mary Elephant

 

Dave’s not here, man.