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Hollywood actors agree new contract with studios
https://www.whatjobs.com/news/usa/us-employment-news/hollywood-actors-agree-new-contract-with-studios
By Nithya Bose in US business news, posted December 6, 2023
Actors have voted in favor of a new three-year contract with Hollywood studios, officially ending six months of labor unrest.
The actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, announced more than 50,000 members participated in the voting process over three weeks.
The contract received a 78 percent approval, surpassing the required simple majority and marking a crucial development in the ongoing negotiations.
Read More: Hollywood Actors Reach Agreement To End Six Months Of Strikes
The ratified deal, valued at over $1 billion, covers improved healthcare funding, better hair and makeup services on sets, AI protections, concessions from studios on self-taped auditions, and introducing intimacy coordinators for sex scenes.
However, some union members questioned the strength of artificial intelligence protections.
The contract also prevents studios from utilizing AI tools to generate digital replicas of performers without their consent or proper compensation.
SAG-AFTRA leaders described this provision as a hard-fought starting point.
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However, it does not explicitly prohibit the creation of "synthetic fakes" using AI.
It raises apprehensions about potential job reductions, particularly for background and stunt performers.
Criticism has also emerged about the contract's allowance for studios to mandate body scans as a condition of employment and utilize past performances for training AI tools.
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Matthew Modine, a SAG-AFTRA board member, said: “Ratification of this contract will result in greater job reductions, especially for background and stunt performers.
“The use of A.I. has already financially impacted voice performers.
“The industry has shown it has no qualms about replacing human actors with digitized ‘sound-alike’ voices.
“Even monstrously resurrecting voices of performers who are no longer living.”
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"Enormous victory"
SAG-AFTRA has called the contract an "enormous victory."
Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA's president, said: “Let’s celebrate what we’ve accomplished together and continue to foster the bonds that have been forged throughout this season of solidarity.”
The voter turnout increased to 38 percent, up from approximately 27 percent in 2020, indicating a heightened engagement of members in the decision-making process.
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