All posts tagged: SAGAFTRA

SAG-AFTRA files complaint over Fortnite’s AI Darth Vader

SAG-AFTRA files complaint over Fortnite’s AI Darth Vader

Published by Webster

SAG-AFTRA wrote in a statement that it understands its members and members’ estates wish to use AI technology in any way they choose. “However,” SAG-AFTRA’s statement continued, “we must protect our right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members, including those who previously did the work of matching Darth Vader’s iconic rhythm and tone in video games.” While the AI “revolution” slowly replaces human workers with oftentimes inferior products, and despite some members’ distaste for the practice, SAG-AFTRA has embraced the idea of using AI trained to replicate an actor’s performance. It has established contracts and partnerships with several AI companies with the idea being members can use this technology with specific contract-guaranteed protections. So the act of using an AI to replace Darth Vader’s voice performers (both the late James Earl Jones and those brought in after his death to match his performance) isn’t what SAG-AFTRA is objecting to. Rather, it’s the fact that this was done without Epic Games sitting down with SAG-AFTRA at …

How Much Did SAG-AFTRA Pledge To Fire Relief In Los Angeles Wildfires? Details Inside

How Much Did SAG-AFTRA Pledge To Fire Relief In Los Angeles Wildfires? Details Inside

Published by Parlour News

SAG-AFTRA has pledged $1 million to the fire relief amidst the flames spreading through the areas at a rapid pace. The Hollywood organization made the announcement following their postponement of the in-person nomination ceremony. The president of the organization, Fran Drescher, released a statement wherein he gave a shout-out to the broadcast journalists, who went on to share every little update on the destruction caused while being out for work.  The statement read, “I want to thank and recognize our broadcast journalist members who are out every day amid flames, smoke, and fiery embers battling to bring this important news to the world.”  It further stated, “The destruction caused by these blazes, the loss of life and homes, has been gut-wrenching to experience, and of course, our hearts go out to all affected. But we knew we could do more; we hope this pledge helps relieve suffering and assists those impacted in putting their lives back together after this calamity.” ALSO READ: Kristen Bell To Host 2025 SAG Awards: Here’s When and Where You Can Watch …

SAG-AFTRA and women’s groups urge Gavin Newsom to sign AI safety bill

Published by Webster

As California Governor Gavin Newsom weighs signing or vetoing the fiercely contested AI safety bill SB 1047, SAG-AFTRA and two women’s groups are pushing him to approve it — adding even more voices to an already frenzied debate. The performers union, the National Organization for Women (NOW), and Fund Her have each sent letters to Newsom, all of which have been obtained by The Verge and are being published here for the first time. The letters from SAG-AFTRA, NOW, and Fund Her highlight concerns about AI’s potential to cause catastrophic harm if the technology is left unregulated. SAG-AFTRA outlines SB 1047’s mandate for developers to test for and safeguard against AI-enabled disasters, like cyberattacks on critical infrastructure or bioweapon development. NOW and Fund Her cite grave warnings from people at the forefront of AI and discuss the technology’s potentially disproportionate impacts on vulnerable groups.  SAG-AFTRA posted a call for support yesterday on X from its 160,000 members, which include stars like Scarlett Johansson and Tom Hanks. NOW, the largest feminist organization in the US with around 500,000 …

Here’s what we know about the SAG-AFTRA AI voice acting licensing deal

Published by Webster

During CES 2024, SAG-AFTRA announced an agreement with AI voice technology company Replica Studios. The agreement would permit SAG-AFTRA members, specifically voice performers, to work with Replica to create digital replications of their voices. Those voices can then be licensed out for use in video games and other interactive media projects with SAG-AFTRA authored protections. In the announcement, SAG-AFTRA characterized the deal as a “way for professional voice over artists to safely explore new employment opportunities for their digital voice replicas with industry-leading protections tailored to AI technology.” However, as news of the deal reached the voice performer community at large, the reaction was less positive with performers either outright condemning the deal or voicing concerns about what this deal means for the future health and viability of their profession. “Love how we’re paying dues to a union that will throw our jobs to AI and then claim we all agreed to it,” wrote Emi Lo, a voice performer with roles in Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, on X. “I think the first thing …

Actors And Studios Agree On Deal

Published by Webster

A throwback of actors, writers and SAG-AFTRA members on a picket line. (Image courtesy: AFP) Hollywood actors and studios reached a tentative deal Wednesday to end a months-long strike that has crippled the entertainment industry, delayed hundreds of popular shows and films, and cost billions to the US economy. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) called off its 118-day strike from midnight (0800 GMT Thursday) after finally reaching an agreement with the likes of Disney and Netflix for a new contract including higher pay, and protections against the use of artificial intelligence. The announcement paves the way for actors to head back to movie sets, an end to picket lines outside studios, and a return to employment for thousands of other jobs linked to the entertainment industry. “In a unanimous vote this afternoon, the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Committee approved a tentative agreement… bringing an end to the 118 day strike,” a spokeswoman said in a statement to AFP. The deal still needs to be ratified by the union’s board, and members. That process could take weeks, but …

Hollywood A-Listers Lead SAG-AFTRA Strike Rally At Times Square

Published by Webster

Bryan Cranston and Brendan Fraser at Times Square. (Image Courtesy: AFP) New York: Hollywood A-listers including Emmy winner Bryan Cranston and a group of Oscar winners on Tuesday led a large rally of striking actors and writers in New York’s Times Square, as the stalemate with studios and streamers dragged on. Academy Award winners Brendan Fraser, Jessica Chastain and F. Murray Abraham were among the stars joining the mass of demonstrators. Movie and television production has effectively shut down in the United States since thousands of members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) guild walked off the job on July 14, joining writers who have been on strike for weeks. Both guilds are demanding better pay and job security, as well as safeguards against the threat posed by artificial intelligence as they pursue the first industry-wide walkout in 63 years. “We will not be having our jobs taken away and given to robots,” “Breaking Bad” star Cranston told attendees, referring to fears about AI being used to recreate an actor’s likeness. Surrounded by Times Square’s …