Acting : SAG-AFTRA Strike: Negotiations Cratered Over AI, Streaming Revenue Sharing, Pay Hikes and More by Richard "RB" Botto

Thanks for sharing the article, Richard "RB" Botto. I know about the WGA's demands, but I didn't know that much about the SAG-AFTRA's demands. The SAG-AFTRA's demands are definitely not unreasonable.

A lot of great points here RB. My own personal theory is that the AI issue is really a smokescreen the AMPTP is putting up to mask the real issue which is having to show their streaming numbers. Once the world sees how miniscule and spread out the streaming audiences are, their stock prices will tumble.

It's like how tech companies overvalued themselves in the "boom" of the early 2000s, and once you peel back the curtain, the market sees how much the stock was overpriced.

Most of the AI issues are already here -- you don't need to scan background actors to "get their likeness" -- Unreal Engine has Metahumans where you can build your own virtual people, attach motion capture files to them and use particle systems to create crowds.

President Fran Drescher is on point with her insistence on seeing the numbers. I believe THAT's the real issue.

William Joseph Hill I almost agree with you on AI being a smokescreen. For writers, it certainly is - the copyright office already passing regulations which deny copyright protection to AI generated content. But for actors, it is a serious issue that has been stewing since the beginning of mocap so long ago. Gaming companies and others regularly reuse performances without compensation and really, that's theft. Vocal cloning, etc. are very real concerns which go beyond entertainment to the very core of what we are as human being. That is my the IIPG (Independent Producers Guild) has been speaking with SAGAftra executive - we are making common cause with them on this issue as well as the issue of misuse of casting processes. HOWEVER, anything you see in any media on the SAGAftra negotiations is pure speculation no matter where it comes from. The union early on instituted a blackout on negotiations information, and that remains iron-solid. From insiders I deal with, no reliable information other than talking points has leaked, even now. We will see how things go.

To William Joseph Hill 's point, I'm wondering how the streamers could possibly give in to pressure if it means pulling back the curtain on their numbers. Would an NDA come into play? Even so, I would think word would eventually get out and hit the market. That's when the street responds in kind. Interesting times.

Yes, I agree with Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg on AI already being a problem with actors -- that's why it's a smokescreen in this negotiations. As an actor myself who also produces content, I've used a lot of the CG tools like Unreal Engine, Blender, and others. Motion capture is now available for iPhones which puts this tech in the hands of consumers now. So Pandora's box has already been opened in regards to AI.

Yes, the blackout on information is definitely solid, despite occasional leaks like the statement that AMPTP's endgame is to let artists starve. Whether or not that statement is true is also speculation. I'm definitely making my own personal speculation on what's going on.

And Leonardo makes a good point too -- The unions wouldn't want entertainment stock prices to fall, as that would mean more layoffs and less production, which makes it a no-win situation.

I think the opportunity lies with independent producers who raise their own money and work outside the studio system making Interim agreements with SAG-AFTRA, once the union opens those up. They had something similar during the commercials strike of 2000.

William Joseph Hill You are on to something there.