Justine Bateman, former actress and SAG-AFTRA negotiation committee consultant, discusses the potential pitfalls of the AI portion of the contract in the entertainment industry. They explore issues such as job opportunities for human actors, consent for recognizable facial features, and the risk of Hollywood being tied to generative AI companies. Additionally, Matt predicts the release of 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'.
The SAG-AFTRA contract does not provide enough protections against the replacement of human actors with AI and stronger safeguards are needed to prevent displacement and ensure fair compensation.
The prequel film 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' in the Hunger Games franchise faces mixed expectations, with projected box office performance ranging from $50 million for the opening weekend. Despite skepticism towards prequels, the strong fan base and recognizable cast could attract audiences and potentially exceed expectations.
Deep dives
The controversy over AI usage in the new SAG-AFTRA contract
In a recent podcast episode, Justine Bateman discusses her concerns with the new SAG-AFTRA contract and its provisions regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the entertainment industry. Bateman argues that the contract does not provide enough protections against the replacement of human actors with synthetic AI objects, and raises concerns about the impact this could have on the employment and compensation of human actors. She emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between human characters and non-human characters in films and calls for stronger safeguards to ensure that humans are not displaced by AI performers. Bateman also expresses worries about loopholes in the contract and the potential exploitation of AI technology by studios. Despite the criticism, SAG-AFTRA's position is to not ban AI but to establish effective guardrails around its usage.
The debate over the new Hunger Games prequel film
The podcast also covers the upcoming release of the prequel film 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' in the Hunger Games franchise. The hosts discuss the anticipation and tracking numbers for the film, which indicate mixed expectations. Some project a box office performance of around $50 million for the film's opening weekend, while others have slightly higher or lower estimates. The podcast reflects skepticism towards prequels in general, questioning their appeal and highlighting the challenges of creating a compelling narrative when the outcome is already known. However, they also acknowledge the strong fan base and recognizable cast of the Hunger Games series, which could attract audiences and potentially surpass expectations. Despite the competition from other releases, including Marvel's 'Eternals' and 'Trolls: World Tour,' there is optimism that 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' will perform well.
Conversations on AI technology in the film industry
The podcast features an extensive discussion on the increasing role of AI technology in the film industry. It explores the various implications, both positive and negative, of using generative AI to create synthetic actors and replicate human performances. The guests highlight concerns surrounding the displacement of human actors, the potential erosion of employment opportunities, and the need for proper compensation and consent protocols. They also debate the impact on creativity and storytelling, noting that films without human involvement may not resonate with audiences. The conversation delves into the challenges of defining boundaries and protecting artistic integrity amidst advancements in AI technology. Ultimately, it emphasizes the importance of understanding and carefully navigating the changing landscape of film production to ensure the best outcomes for both industry professionals and audiences.
Assessing the future of AI in Hollywood
The podcast episode concludes with a discussion on the future of AI in the entertainment industry. The hosts speculate on potential scenarios and outcomes as AI technology continues to advance. They debate the responses of major studios, the potential for acquisitions by technology companies, and the impact on employment for human actors. While there are differing opinions on the path forward, the conversation underscores the need for careful consideration of the potential consequences and the necessity for effective regulations and protections for human actors. It acknowledges the challenges posed by emerging technologies and highlights the importance of the industry adapting and leveraging its unique assets, such as relationships with actors, copyrights, and creative storytelling, to remain competitive and preserve the value of human-driven performances in film.
Matt is joined by Justine Bateman—writer, director, producer, former actress, and SAG-AFTRA negotiation committee consultant on the use of AI—to discuss the protections established against the use of AI in the new SAG-AFTRA deal. She voices criticisms of the AI portion of the contract, and highlights potential loopholes that could significantly affect working actors and permanently alter the future of filmmaking. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the upcoming release of ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’.
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