Strictly Business Daily Variety -- SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin Talks Jimmy Kimmel, Tilly Norwood, Bryan Cranston vs. Sora 2 and Microdrama Boom
Nov 6, 2025
Sean Astin, veteran actor and new SAG-AFTRA president, dives into hot topics impacting the industry. He discusses the complexities of the Jimmy Kimmel situation and articulates the union's stance on synthetic performers amid the Tilly Norwood controversy. Astin emphasizes the need for strong protections against AI encroachment, including human-only clauses in contracts. He also shares insights on Bryan Cranston’s involvement with OpenAI's Sora 2 and reveals SAG-AFTRA's proactive steps in addressing the booming trend of microdrama.
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Union Voice When External Pressure Hits
- Government pressure on outlets can feel like employer retaliation to affected performers and staff.
- Sean Astin said unions must speak carefully but clearly when public threats influence employment actions.
Synthetic Stunts Expose Policy Gaps
- The Tilly Norwood episode illustrated how engineered synthetic characters can mislead markets and public attention.
- Astin said the moment clarified why strong pushback and clear policy around synthetic creations matter for performers.
Put Data Tracking Front And Center
- Demand robust data-tracking protections in contracts to prevent model ingestion without consent.
- Sean Astin urged his team to prioritize tracking, watermarking and opt-in controls when negotiating AI-related terms.