Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1520149
48 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2024 | sagaftra.org which exists in live action, that a "major facial feature" be included in the prompt and there is no substitute for that criterion. • If a producer creates any synthetic voice — not just a human character — through generative ar tificial intelligence, they must give the union notice and bargain for appropriate consideration. • We have established mandator y, regularly scheduled ar tificial intelligence meetings with producers, which will include discussion of methods and systems to track the use of digital replicas. A.I. technology is changing quickly and both par ties understand that we will not simply wait for the contract cycle to conclude, when we can be making critical adjustments in real time. As other contracts come up for negotiation, protections are being expanded. In their letter to members, TV Animation Negotiating Committee co-chairs Bob Bergen and David Jolliffe wrote that the agreement was "the first SAG-AFTRA animation voiceover-specific contract with substantial protections and gains in artificial intelligence. This is a milestone, especially today, where much of the voiceover industry is non-union with zero A.I. protections. But now, union-covered animation voiceover actors have A.I. addressed in this agreement, and the protections are specifically tailored to the work you do." REPLICA STUDIOS AGREEMENT Replica Studios develops an A.I.-powered voice platform and process for adding speech to film and game projects. Based out of Australia, the company aims to be an ethical A.I. voice company, and if voice actors wish to license their voices to Replica, they can now do so with the protection of a union contract. Because SAG-AFTRA members need more contractual protections, not fewer, the fact that Replica Studios is a new signatory to SAG-AFTRA contracts is an important step forward in establishing union protections, terms and conditions for the use of digital voice replication in the video game industry. This agreement provides protections that weren't previously afforded to members. In an Instagram Live event held Jan. 10, Crabtree-Ireland further explained union nomenclature. "Perhaps the term 'agreement' needs some clarification," he said. "This is a contract with terms that Replica has to agree to in order to work with SAG-AFTRA members. Thanks to an empowered labor movement and an informed public, we have the chance to ensure that technology does what it's supposed to do: make life better for all of us, rather than just those entities that have access to the most resources. SAG-AFTRA's new agreement with Replica Studios paves the way for professional voiceover artists to safely explore new employment opportunities for their digital voice replicas with industry-leading protections tailored to A.I. technology. "Whenever the topic of A.I. comes up, there's understandably a lot of fear and confusion," Crabtree-Ireland added. "It's important to understand that not having contractual protections in place does not make performers safer." Members can get more information about Replica's signatory status at sagaftra.org/replica. CENTR AL CASTING Central Casting, a company in Burbank that specializes in casting background talent, body doubles and stand-ins, recently worked with SAG-AFTRA to revise the language in the company's photo release form. Among other things, the agreement previously read, "I grant Central Casting the unrestricted right to make, copyright, use, re-use or publish recordings in which I may be included, in whole or in part, and waive any right to inspect or approve the finished medium incorporating any recordings." The revised language now specifies that performers' photos will only be shared with production companies in conjunction with Central's casting services. Furthermore, the photo release limits Central Casting's use of those photos for promotional purposes on their website and printed materials, and only accompanied with a disclaimer that the use is not an endorsement of their services. • Terms to Know S ome of the terminology around A.I. and technology can be tricky. Here are some definitions that may help clarify things. Generative Artificial Intelligence - A subset of artificial intelligence that learns patterns from data and produces content based on those patterns. Examples include: GPT-4, Midjourney and Dall-E 2. It does not include "traditional" A.I. technologies programmed to perform specific functions such as those already used by CGI and VF X artists during pre-visualization, preproduction, production, post-production, distribution and marketing. Consent - An agreement between two or more parties. Informed Consent - An agreement that must be clear and conspicuous. Digital Replica - A replica of your voice and/or likeness that is created using digital technology, such as artificial intelligence. Employment-Based Digital Replica - A digital replica created in connection with your employment on a series or in a motion picture. You might be asked to participate in its creation, such as being scanned. Independently Created Digital Replica - A replica created without your participation and used in a motion picture in which you did not work. Synthetic Performer - A wholly digital reproduction that appears to be a person, but does not resemble a recognizable performer and is not voiced by a person. A.I. continues from page 44