GlacierGazer
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The Performing Arts Industry Brings Onset Body Scanning Under Scrutiny as AI Advances Loom Larger.
Performers in the film and television industry have been subjected to body scanning on set for years, often without warning or clear explanation. The technology has long been used to capture precise likenesses of actors, allowing visual effects teams to create realistic digital doubles and CGI characters that mimic their movements and expressions.
However, as Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to advance at a rapid pace, concerns are growing about the role of biometric data in these productions. Some performers have expressed unease about being scanned on set without clear consent or understanding of how the data will be used.
Olivia Williams, an experienced actress who has appeared in films like The Sixth Sense and Dune: Prophecy, has been scanned numerous times during her career. She says that while she initially accepted the practice as a necessary part of the job, it's now become increasingly unsettling to have the VFX team swoop in just after completing a scene.
"It happens without warning," Williams explains. "You're on set, you're in costume, and then suddenly there's this request from the VFX team that you need to pop over to their bus. It can feel like they're just trying to be friendly, but it's actually quite invasive."
Other performers have shared similar experiences, with some even expressing fear about being scanned in case they are let go by their agent or studio.
"This is a real concern for us," says Dave Watts, a stunt performer who has appeared in numerous superhero movies and major productions. "The technology could potentially replace many of our jobs, from assistant directors to makeup artists and caterers."
As AI doubles become more prevalent in the industry, some performers are pushing back against the practice of body scanning on set.
"We're starting to collectively push back against this atmosphere of being ambushed," says one performer who wished to remain anonymous. "We've managed to get a sort of addendum into our agreement that prevents them from using the digital scans for anything other than the show without our written consent."
The issue has also caught the attention of data rights lawyers, who warn that performers are not getting a fair shake in contracts that often prioritize industry-standard wording over clear agreements on biometric data.
"The technology could conceivably be used to drastically reduce the need for human performers," warns Alex Lawrence-Archer, a data rights lawyer. "But we also have to consider the potential benefits of AI, like reducing costs and increasing efficiency."
The problem remains that not enough is known about how these AI models are being trained using biometric data from performances.
"The great unknown is where exactly the data training is coming from," says Lawrence-Archer. "We need to expose this information and create safeguards contractually to protect against the erosion of control that could happen."
Williams, however, remains more pessimistic about the industry's ability to adapt to these changes.
"I think we've already lost some level of control here," she says. "It's not just about getting paid for our work; it's about being recognized as human performers who bring a certain value and creativity to these productions."
Performers in the film and television industry have been subjected to body scanning on set for years, often without warning or clear explanation. The technology has long been used to capture precise likenesses of actors, allowing visual effects teams to create realistic digital doubles and CGI characters that mimic their movements and expressions.
However, as Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to advance at a rapid pace, concerns are growing about the role of biometric data in these productions. Some performers have expressed unease about being scanned on set without clear consent or understanding of how the data will be used.
Olivia Williams, an experienced actress who has appeared in films like The Sixth Sense and Dune: Prophecy, has been scanned numerous times during her career. She says that while she initially accepted the practice as a necessary part of the job, it's now become increasingly unsettling to have the VFX team swoop in just after completing a scene.
"It happens without warning," Williams explains. "You're on set, you're in costume, and then suddenly there's this request from the VFX team that you need to pop over to their bus. It can feel like they're just trying to be friendly, but it's actually quite invasive."
Other performers have shared similar experiences, with some even expressing fear about being scanned in case they are let go by their agent or studio.
"This is a real concern for us," says Dave Watts, a stunt performer who has appeared in numerous superhero movies and major productions. "The technology could potentially replace many of our jobs, from assistant directors to makeup artists and caterers."
As AI doubles become more prevalent in the industry, some performers are pushing back against the practice of body scanning on set.
"We're starting to collectively push back against this atmosphere of being ambushed," says one performer who wished to remain anonymous. "We've managed to get a sort of addendum into our agreement that prevents them from using the digital scans for anything other than the show without our written consent."
The issue has also caught the attention of data rights lawyers, who warn that performers are not getting a fair shake in contracts that often prioritize industry-standard wording over clear agreements on biometric data.
"The technology could conceivably be used to drastically reduce the need for human performers," warns Alex Lawrence-Archer, a data rights lawyer. "But we also have to consider the potential benefits of AI, like reducing costs and increasing efficiency."
The problem remains that not enough is known about how these AI models are being trained using biometric data from performances.
"The great unknown is where exactly the data training is coming from," says Lawrence-Archer. "We need to expose this information and create safeguards contractually to protect against the erosion of control that could happen."
Williams, however, remains more pessimistic about the industry's ability to adapt to these changes.
"I think we've already lost some level of control here," she says. "It's not just about getting paid for our work; it's about being recognized as human performers who bring a certain value and creativity to these productions."
The more AI advances, the more it raises questions about what's acceptable on set 
. It feels like they're just using it to save money without really thinking about how it affects the people involved. I mean, Olivia Williams was scanned a bunch of times and didn't even know why, which is pretty creepy.
. Like, don't they care that some people might not be okay with being scanned like a lab rat? The whole system feels really rigged in their favor, and I'm not sure if we're gonna get the recognition we deserve as performers anyway 
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. would love to see some clearer guidelines on biometric data usage. and btw, whats the point of havin a system that cant even tell u where ur data is goin'? 
. But for real, if performers are getting ambushed with requests for scans, that's some uncomfortable vibes right there 
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... it's one thing to have efficient production, but not at the expense of our personal boundaries 
. I mean, if we're gonna push back against this, let's do it with some actual safeguards in place 
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. We need to expose the truth and create some real protections for our rights as performers 
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. It's time for us to take a stand and demand better working conditions 
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Like, what if someone gets that scan wrong or uses it for something malicious? We should at least have a choice, you know? 
As AI doubles become increasingly prevalent, it's essential to consider the implications on performers' rights and data protection. The lack of transparency in how biometric data is being used to train AI models raises significant questions about accountability and control.
Data rights lawyers like Alex Lawrence-Archer are highlighting the importance of clear agreements and safeguards to protect performers from potential exploitation. However, it's also crucial to acknowledge the benefits of AI, such as reduced costs and increased efficiency.
The industry's ability to adapt to these changes will be critical in determining whether performers can maintain agency over their digital representations. As Williams suggests, there's a need for recognition that human performers bring unique value and creativity to productions beyond just their physical presence. 
. Like, what even is the point of scanning people without their consent? 
It's not like they're just gonna use it for good 
. And what's with all these AI advancements 
. It's also concerning that some performers are worried about losing their jobs to AI doubles 
. I think we need to be proactive about finding ways to work alongside technology, rather than fighting it head-on 
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Olivia Williams seems really annoyed by this, I get it. She says it feels invasive and that the VFX team is always asking her to go over to their bus right after she finishes a scene 
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