Hollywood Wants To Increase the Longevity of Actors With AI
Studios wanted to re-use AI likeness of deceased performers without consent.
After 188 days, Hollywood has reached a tentative deal to end the SAG-AFTRA strike as of November 9, 12:01 a.m. EST.
One of the latest union negotiations have involved the use of AI. The union pushed back on studios that wanted to continue to use re-use AI-created likeness for popular or deceased performers without consent. A union source told The Hollywood Reporter earlier this week, “They can’t have that loophole to exploit performers. We could not allow the language to stand.” The publication also reported that The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) made a proposition that would “secure AI scans” for Schedule F performers aka union members earning more than $32,000 USD per TV episode or $60,000 USD per film. The deal suggested by the studios would require the actors to be scanned once without paying for their use later on. The deal advocated for limitless use of dead actors’ AI profile.
Variety later reported that the studios and the union have come to an agreement after much back and forth. The union “reached a common understanding” with AMPTP on the “thorny issues” including AI consent after an actor dies. The union source said, “We think it’s not just reasonable but is absolutely vital to the sustainability of the performance industry.” As both sides have come to an agreement on final issues, the SAG-AFTRA strike has now tentatively ended.
In other entertainment news, Nintendo and Sony are teaming up for a live action Legend of Zelda movie.
