November 15th 2023.
The Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) recently reached a deal after months of negotiations. The agreement contains substantial protections for actors when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Anne-Marie Johnson, a SAG board member, made a bold statement concerning AI. "There should be no AI. Only human beings should be used in what we create for public consumption," she said. "Without staving off AI, everything we achieved is for naught. It’s a waste of time."
The agreement requires consent and compensation for all actors, regardless of their status, when it comes to the use of AI to generate digital doubles. Despite this, SAG board member Shaan Sharma still worries about the "significant loopholes" in the language. According to him, if an AI-generated synthetic character doesn't have a recognizable facial feature of a real actor, none of the protections apply.
Aside from the limits on AI, the new deal also includes minimum compensation increases of 7%, followed by 4% and 3.5% increases over the next two years. Background actors, stand-ins, and photo doubles will receive an 11% increase along with 4% and 3.5% increases over the same period.
Streaming bonuses have also been put into place. Actors will receive a success payment in addition to the usual residual payments if involved in a streaming project that attracts a significant number of viewers. Producers are also required to disclose the total number of hours content was streamed both in the U.S. and internationally for each quarter.
Finally, a minimum number for background actors has been set, as well as a relocation bonus for workers who are required to relocate for a series. Performers will receive $5,000 a month for six months - a 200% increase on the previous amount.
Overall, the new deal is a great victory for actors and shows the strength of SAG-AFTRA in protecting the rights of its members. It gives them more control over their work and ensures that they are fairly compensated for their work.
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