Strikers fear actors' AI digital doubles could be used 'for the rest of eternity'

Sag-Aftra film and TV actors' union began a strike in the hopes of better protections against AI

Actress Frances Fisher joins the picket line outside Paramount studios in Los Angeles. AP

Like a plot from the anthology television series Black Mirror, the Screen Actors Guild says it is battling the studios for control over the digital replicas of performers that could be used “for the rest of eternity”.

The union started its historic strike on Friday to demand better protections, while the studios counter that they have offered groundbreaking protections from misuse of images.

Artificial intelligence has become a sensitive issue for film and television actors, who fear that it could be used to duplicate their voices and likenesses.

Actors have used contract talks with the Hollywood studios to assert control over how these digital simulations are used on screen. It is one of several sticking points in contract talks with the Hollywood studios, which ended on Wednesday without agreement.

The AMPTP, the group negotiating on behalf of Walt Disney, Netflix and other major studios and streaming services, said it had agreed to a “groundbreaking AI proposal” that would protect performers' digital likeness.

Such protections, the studios noted, would include gaining an actor's consent to create and use a digital replica, or digitally alter their performance.

Sag-Aftra chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland took issue with that characterisation during a press conference on Thursday in Los Angeles.

“They propose that our background performers should be able to be scanned, get paid for one day's pay, and their company should own that scan of their image, their likeness, and should be able to use it for the rest of eternity,” said Mr Crabtree-Ireland.

“So if you think that's a groundbreaking proposal, I suggest you think again.”

The AMPTP said Sag-Aftra's claim that the digital replicas of background actors may be used in perpetuity with no consent or compensation is false.

It said the current proposal would restrict the use of the digital replica to the motion picture for which the background actor is employed.

Any other use would require that actor’s consent and bargaining for the use, subject to a minimum payment, the studios said.

Actor Jason Sudeikis at a picket line outside NBC Universal in New York City. AFP

Sag-Aftra president Fran Drescher with national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland at a picket line outside Netflix in Los Angeles. AFP

Actress Mandy Moore joins Sag-Aftra and WGA strikers in Los Angeles. AFP

Rosario Dawson attends a rally held by striking writers and actors outside Warner Bros studios in Burbank, California. AP

Tens of thousands of actors have gone on strike, effectively bringing the giant film and television industry to a halt as they join writers in the first industrywide walkout in 63 years. AFP

Writers Guild of America members have been on strike since early May as agreements with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers were not reached on better wages and working conditions. EPA

Sag-Aftra members create signs at a demonstration in front of Warner Bros studios. EPA

Actress Frances Fisher outside Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. AFP

Actress Greer Grammer outside Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. AFP

Actress Sara Lindsey outside Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. AFP

Actor Shawn Hatosy, right, at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. AFP

Actress Lisa Edelstein outside Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. AFP

Actor Greg Germann in Los Angeles. AFP

Arturo Del Puerto outside Disney Studios in Burbank, California. AFP

Actor Ben Schwartz on a picket line outside Disney Studios in Burbank, California. AFP