How AI Caused The WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strikes

tl;dr - don't be a scab (but also if you're an influencer the rules are legitimately confusing)

In this video, we'll explore how AI is responsible for the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

As you may know, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA have been on strike for a while now. In this video, we'll explore how AI is responsible for the strikes and the dispute between the two unions. We'll also discuss the possible future of the strikes and the impact they've had on the entertainment industry.

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[Citrusautomaton]

I’m getting so tired with how mishandled AI is right now. Such incredible technology and these clods are trying to use it for this?!?! Cmon man.

[theklr]

I think this is the bigger concern that I have with my peers. Many think it’s just bad shows, but that’s subjective and if the last decade showed in terms of views. AI can easily generate a CBS comedy, and for the most part, that’s all the studios want. As for the actors, the lack of residuals is disturbing, particularly when they want to body scan background actors only for a days pay. I’m concerned that when robotics can mature we could have a Henrietta Lacks situation in fields.

[shaddouida]

Spencer Grammer says “when I had my son… I didn’t make enough earning wages that year, I didn’t qualify for health insurance

I had to find outside health insurance for my child’s first year even though I had been on a popular TV show & was on ‘Rick & Morty’”

[midn]

I think there's some extent to which AI should be allowed within writing/filming. I also think what Hollywood is trying to do is way over the line though. If you want to use someone's likeness to sell things, you should have to pay them.

[christineherrmann]

The residuals thing with streaming is huge. I read where they'd reset popular shows just to avoid residual payments, which is sick. It needs to be fixed.

[A_Salty_Fishe]

It's honestly fascinating to a smolbrain fishe like me how much AI has already shaped and influenced our societies. I wonder what the digital (and entertainment specifically) landscape will look like in a couple decades.

Great video as always, Jordan!

[shaddouida]

I hope negotiations with the WGA and SAG will be scheduled for Friday

we hope the studios will agree to a fair deal with the writers we hope the situation will work out in Hollywood

hopefully soon the writers will get back to work so he can finish what they started

we hope that the Hollywood negotiations will be accepted because this strike is no longer possible

[purplegill]

I noticed you mentioned a few links in this but I can't seem to find them in the description.

[shaddouida]

we hope that soon there will be a miracle for screenwriters

[oliver-violet]

i really appreciated your perspective on this issue :)

[prometheus]

Friend I just watched Fran Drescher's interview on the strike. I don't have a horse in this race but as someone who's seen this movie before I'm going to give you the same advice I was giving to Google and Meta engineers 6 months before the layoffs began. Please begin preparing a backup plan. Your leader has no plan and is literally trying to "manifest" a resolution and I fear there may be disappointment coming.

[shaddouida]

The 1960 WGA & SAG Strike Ended In Better Residuals & Rights For Writers & Actors

The 1960 WGA and SAG strike ended with better residual agreements and rights for both writers and actors. In many ways, the actors reinforced the writers' demands for guaranteed residuals that helped bring their strike to a more advantageous outcome. Of course, the SAG shared a common interest with the WGA at the time, similar to the current 2023 dual strike. The previous SAG concluded on April 18, 1960 with the ATFP agreeing to pay a one-time sum of $2.25 million, or roughly $23 million today considering inflation, to cover the implementation of the guild's healthcare and pension plans. The WGA protest continued for weeks after the conclusion of the SAG strike.

The WGA strike finally reached a resolution on June 12, 1960 that secured the first residual deal for writers of theatrical releases in the history of Hollywood. The writers were also able to secure their own funding from the ATFP for healthcare and pension plans as well (via WGA). Ideally, the 2023 dual SAG and WGA would repeat the history of the 1960 dual strike, with the actors' guild setting a new precedent that will ultimately benefit the writers' original interests. Since Hollywood will be forced to respond swiftly and drastically in order to save its 2024 productions and beyond, agreements must be secured in both the writers' and actors' 2023 strikes that ensure artificial technology will not take over their craft in an industry that has always focused on the pecuniary bottom line.

[daniellewis]

hi jordan. i thought i remember you saying something along the lines of ai and llms are overhyped (roughly a year ago). maybe my memory is flawed, but it's interesting to see this sag-aftra business.

[Hedgehobbit]

The actors request about AI really only cover the digital rights to an actors image and those work best when paired with a motion capture performance. However, I think the AMPTP is being a little sneaky here as there is currently a large push-back amongst actors for having digital-only versions of actors (especially dead actors) in movies. If the studios can come to an agreement with SAG-AFTRA on the exact terms to use a digital-only actor in a movie, that opens all sorts of possibilities to cast dead or de-aged actors in lots of movies which should be cheaper and easier than using a living actor. Like making a new James Bond movie with the 1960s versions of Sean Connery and Ursula Andress. Maybe we'll finally see Casablanca 2.

[iopohable]

that's not how you spell capitalism.

[TheCarterKent]

Actually, I'm thinking that it's Greed, on both sides, that caused and maintains the Strike.

[kristinchong]

🎉🎉🎉

Like kinda get it but i really dont technology. But like thank you so much for doing the labour of making a society. There r weirdos sure they do risk and we say evil but like really we just need to find the powder kegs of iterations of internet. 🎉🎉🎉