Voice Actor Explains the 2024 SAG AFTRA Video Game Strike

Summary

The video discusses the 2024 SAG-AFTRA strike, focusing on the union's demand for protections against the unauthorized use of actors' voices, faces, and likenesses by AI. The strike highlights the existential threat AI poses to actors' livelihoods, emphasizing the need for clear contract language to prevent exploitation. The video explains the specific scope of the strike, debunks common misconceptions, and encourages solidarity while urging both actors and consumers to stay informed and approach the issue with empathy and understanding.

Takeaways

• 📜 The actor's Union is on strike due to a conflict regarding the use of actors' voices and likenesses in AI without compensation.
• 🤝 The Union is seeking a contract that explicitly prevents companies from using actors' voices in AI models without their consent or payment.
• 🔄 The 2024 strike is more straightforward compared to the 2016 video game strike, focusing on a single issue of AI usage rights.
• 📝 Some contracts have outdated language that could be misinterpreted to allow AI usage of actors' voices without proper compensation.
• 💡 The Union is not asking for more money but rather for ethical and legal protection against the misuse of their voices by AI.
• 🚫 The strike is specifically targeting the interactive media agreement, not all contracts under the Union's umbrella.
• 🎮 Not all video games are affected by the strike; only those under the interactive media agreement with specific companies.
• 🛑 A company can cease being struck by signing an interim agreement that includes AI protections, allowing actors to work on their projects again.
• 🔍 There are resources available for actors and consumers to check if a project is struck or not, such as forms on the Union's website.
• 🚷 Union actors are prohibited from promoting struck projects, but they can still support non-union games or those outside the Union's jurisdiction.
• 🤔 The strike highlights the broader issue of AI and its impact on jobs, urging for clear contracts and ethical considerations in the industry.

Q & A

What is the primary reason for the actor's union strike in 2024?

The primary reason for the strike is the union's demand for companies to not use actors' voices, likenesses, or faces to make money without compensating them, especially in the context of AI usage and simulations.

Why did the 2016 strike by the actor's union differ from the 2024 strike?

The 2016 strike was more complicated due to numerous issues, including arguments about actors wanting more money or different working conditions. In contrast, the 2024 strike is more straightforward, focusing on the ethical and moral implications of AI usage without compensation.

What does the actor's union consider as an existential issue in 2024?

The existential issue for the actor's union in 2024 is the fear that companies may legally take actors' voices and livelihoods to create models without paying them, which could lead to actors' voices being used indefinitely in simulations.

What loopholes in contracts are actors concerned about regarding AI usage?

Actors are concerned about outdated contract language that could be interpreted to include AI usage. For example, contracts from the 1980s that allowed companies to 'simulate' an actor's voice for editing purposes could now be interpreted to mean indefinite use in AI without compensation.

What is the actor's union asking for in terms of contract changes?

The actor's union is asking for the inclusion of protective language in contracts to prevent the unauthorized use of actors' voices for AI training or simulations without compensation.

How does the actor's union define a strike, and what does it mean for different contracts under the union's umbrella?

A strike by the actor's union refers to a specific contract under dispute, not the entire union. Each contract, such as film and TV, commercials, interactive media (including video games), animation, and dubbing, has its own rate structure, working conditions, and companies signed on.

What misconceptions about the strike does the video script aim to clear up?

The script aims to clarify that the strike is specific to the interactive media agreement, not all video games or union projects. It also emphasizes that not all companies are under a collective bargaining agreement with the union, and not all actors are required to strike.

What is the low-budget tiered interactive media agreement, and how does it relate to the strike?

The low-budget tiered interactive media agreement is a sub-agreement for smaller budget or indie games, which is not under the strike. This means that small budget games can still work with and afford union actors during the strike.

How can a company resume working with union actors during the strike?

A company can resume working with union actors by signing an interim bargaining agreement that includes AI protections, effectively making the project 'unstruck' as soon as the agreement is signed.

What are the implications for actors who are not part of the union or working on non-union projects?

Actors who are not part of the union or working on non-union projects are not governed by the union rules and are not technically required to strike. However, they may still face ostracism from the community if they are seen as breaking the strike.

What advice does the video script offer to consumers or supporters of the actors' cause?

The script advises consumers to educate themselves about the issues, show solidarity by supporting advocacy groups, and to be patient and kind towards actors and companies involved. It discourages attacking companies on social media or joining internet mobs.