WandaVision background actor's body scan raises AI usage concerns for SAG-AFTRA
The use of AI-generated background actors in the Disney+'s WandaVision has become a major point of contention in the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, raising concerns over consent and potential job displacement for real actors.
SAG-AFTRA's recent strike in July brought forth a significant labor dispute in Hollywood, highlighting concerns surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the entertainment industry. Among the many issues faced during the negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the use of AI and its potential impact on background actors emerged as a central tension.
NY #sagaftramembers were posing. Dancing. Strutting. PICKETING on the #SAGAFTRAstrike picket lines today. Thank you to everyone who brought the #SAGAFTRAstrong energy 💪 pic.twitter.com/RiAY3uYYlE
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) August 3, 2023
The strike was the culmination of prolonged negotiations that failed to reach a satisfactory deal, leading to a joint protest by SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America.
- One of the major grievances raised during the negotiations was the studios' desire to utilize AI-generated background actors in film and television projects.
- This proposed practice would essentially create digital replicas of background actors by scanning their faces and bodies, without necessarily obtaining their informed consent.
An example of this AI usage came to light just before the SAG strike when background actor Alexandria Rubalcaba shared her experience working on the Disney+ series WandaVision as reported by NPR.
The WandaVision body scanning
After four weeks of being a background actor during the pandemic, Rubalcaba and dozens of others were called to report to a tractor trailer. There, they were instructed to pose in front of a series of cameras on metal rigs behind glass. They were given various directions, such as showing fear, surprise, or other emotions, while their faces and bodies were scanned for about 15 minutes each.
What alarmed Rubalcaba and her fellow actors was that they were not informed about how or when these digital replicas would be used on screen. This lack of information and consent raised concerns about their likeness being exploited in perpetuity without compensation or control over their digital avatars.
Background actors, who are not part of the principal cast and primarily serve to create realistic atmosphere in scenes, felt caught off guard by the sudden imposition of body scans, leaving them with little choice but to comply, often under the pressure of signing non-disclosure agreements.
The potential implications of AI replacing background actors in the entertainment industry are significant.
- Hollywood has long relied on high-tech post-production techniques to enhance films, creating large armies and crowd scenes with the help of computer software.
- However, with advances in generative AI, the scope of digitally created content has expanded far beyond crowd scenes. AI-powered film editing tools now enable filmmakers to manipulate an actor's performance, move them between scenes, replace dialogue, and even make them look younger or older convincingly.
- Moreover, digital cloning using AI has become a controversial issue in Hollywood. The technology can recreate voices, faces, and entire bodies with stunning realism, raising ethical and legal concerns regarding ownership and consent.
Background actors fear that they might be the first in the industry to become obsolete due to AI, as studios may favor digital replicas over hiring physical actors for non-speaking roles.
Major strikes are occurring at the moment, (State of CA SEIU/UPS pending), but the SAG/WGA writers Unions are helping expose the weaponization of AI on not just Film but on all your jobs. As you see in the background “AI is not ART”. AI was created for & by the few elite families pic.twitter.com/LQNoD6bgvY
— Zine Scene (@Zine_Scene_) July 29, 2023
Fair usage of AI
While SAG-AFTRA does not resist AI entirely, they advocate for actors' rights and fair compensation when their digital likeness is used. Union officials recognize the potential benefits of AI, such as enabling actors to participate in multiple projects simultaneously or take on roles that might have been otherwise impossible. However, they emphasize that the use of an actor's digital replica should be negotiated separately each time, ensuring proper compensation and consent.
The AMPTP, representing studios and producers, claims to offer "fair compensation" and obtain permission from actors before utilizing AI-generated creations. However, the disagreement arises in the interpretation of consent. Studios propose asking for background actors' permission once they are hired, while union officials argue that consent should be negotiated for each specific use of an actor's digital likeness.
The road ahead
The ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike signifies a profound clash between technology advancements and actors' rights and protections in the entertainment industry. It is one of the most significant labor disputes in Hollywood since the 1960s, underscoring the complexities and challenges posed by AI's integration into filmmaking and television. The outcome of this strike will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications, shaping the future landscape of AI use and actors' rights in the ever-evolving world of entertainment.