Here’s why Hollywood actors are going on a midnight strike for the first time in 63 years

Reuters

Los Angeles, July 14th

Hollywood actors have been on strike after negotiations with the studios broke down, joining film and television writers who have been on picket lines since May, deepening the chaos at scores of shows and movies.

Studios are currently facing their first dual shutdown in 63 years, forcing the cancellation of many productions across the U.S. and abroad. The twin strikes will compound the economic damage caused by the writers’ strike and deal further damage to an industry struggling with business changes.

Union worries that digital doubles of Hollywood actors could live on “a day’s pay”.

As in the plot of the anthology television series “Black Mirror,” the Screen Actors Guild said it is in a dispute with studios over control of digital replicas of performers that could be used “forever.” Studios counter that it provides breakthrough protection against image misuse.

Artificial intelligence has become a sensitive issue for film and television actors, who fear it could be used to duplicate their voices and likenesses. Actors have used contract negotiations with Hollywood studios to assert control over how these digital simulations are used on screen. This is one of several sticking points in contract negotiations with Hollywood studios that ended without an agreement on Wednesday.

AMPTP, the group negotiating on behalf of Walt Disney, Netflix and other major studios and streaming services, has agreed to a “groundbreaking AI proposal” that would protect performers’ digital identities. announced.

The studios noted that these protections include obtaining consent for the creation or use of digital replicas of actors or digital alterations to their performances.

SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree Ireland disputed that characterization at a news conference in Los Angeles. on thursday.

“They should be able to scan background performers and receive a day’s pay, and their companies should own the scans of their images and likenesses and use them in perpetuity. I am proposing it.” Crabtree – Ireland. “So if you think this is a revolutionary proposal, I encourage you to think again.”

AMPTP said SAG-AFTRA’s assertion that digital replicas of background actors could be used in perpetuity without consent or compensation is false. The current proposal would limit the use of digital replicas to films that feature background actors. Any other use would require the actor’s consent and negotiation of use, subject to a minimum payment, the studio said.

SAG-AFTRA, Hollywood’s largest labor union representing 160,000 film and television actors, announced that its members will strike at midnight.

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