FunkyFalcon
Well-known member
In the Digital Age, Actors' Rights Are Being Tested
A growing concern among performers is the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create digital models from their likenesses, raising questions about consent, data control, and the impact on future jobs. Olivia Williams, a prominent actor known for her roles in Dune: Prophecy and The Crown, believes that actors should have more say over how their body scan data is used.
Williams cites the example of "nudity riders," which grant actors certain rights over explicit content. She advocates for similar controls to be applied to AI-generated digital models, insisting that performers' likenesses cannot be used without their consent in any context beyond a specific scene's edit. This would prevent the data from being misused or exploited in other ways.
Actors are often pressured into undergoing body scans while on set with little understanding of how the data will be used. Many have been left with vague clauses in their contracts, which seem to grant studios wide-ranging rights over their likeness across all platforms and perpetually. This lack of transparency has led to widespread concern among performers, who fear that AI models trained on their likenesses could eventually displace human actors.
Williams herself has struggled to negotiate similar protections into her own contracts, despite investigating how to own her own data and license it for limited use. The high cost of lawyers advised against further action made it unfeasible. Instead, she's speaking out as a warning to young actors who may face similar situations in the future.
The issue is now being discussed between Equity, the UK performing arts union, and Pact, the UK screen sector's trade body, with demands for AI protections to be included in major film and TV agreements. Paul W Fleming, Equity's general secretary, sees this as an opportunity to implement basic minimum standards that would prioritize consent and transparency on set.
Producers acknowledge their obligations under data protection law but are tight-lipped about the negotiations. The outcome is uncertain, leaving performers like Williams to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of AI-generated content and digital rights.
A growing concern among performers is the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create digital models from their likenesses, raising questions about consent, data control, and the impact on future jobs. Olivia Williams, a prominent actor known for her roles in Dune: Prophecy and The Crown, believes that actors should have more say over how their body scan data is used.
Williams cites the example of "nudity riders," which grant actors certain rights over explicit content. She advocates for similar controls to be applied to AI-generated digital models, insisting that performers' likenesses cannot be used without their consent in any context beyond a specific scene's edit. This would prevent the data from being misused or exploited in other ways.
Actors are often pressured into undergoing body scans while on set with little understanding of how the data will be used. Many have been left with vague clauses in their contracts, which seem to grant studios wide-ranging rights over their likeness across all platforms and perpetually. This lack of transparency has led to widespread concern among performers, who fear that AI models trained on their likenesses could eventually displace human actors.
Williams herself has struggled to negotiate similar protections into her own contracts, despite investigating how to own her own data and license it for limited use. The high cost of lawyers advised against further action made it unfeasible. Instead, she's speaking out as a warning to young actors who may face similar situations in the future.
The issue is now being discussed between Equity, the UK performing arts union, and Pact, the UK screen sector's trade body, with demands for AI protections to be included in major film and TV agreements. Paul W Fleming, Equity's general secretary, sees this as an opportunity to implement basic minimum standards that would prioritize consent and transparency on set.
Producers acknowledge their obligations under data protection law but are tight-lipped about the negotiations. The outcome is uncertain, leaving performers like Williams to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of AI-generated content and digital rights.
. I mean, I get it, data protection law is a thing, but come on, can't we have some say in how our bodies are being used? It's not just about the nudity riders, it's about all the other ways our likenesses are getting used without consent - AI models, digital avatars... it's like we're losing control of our own image 
. And don't even get me started on the lawyers' fees... it's like they want us to give up. I'm so tired of these studios playing both sides against each other, using "protection" as an excuse to silence performers. Equity needs to step up and set some real standards here, not just some token protections 
. It's about time we had a conversation about what it means to be a performer in the digital age... 
I just got back from a crazy weekend camping trip with my friends 
, we stayed up till 3 am talking about our favorite podcasts and whatnot. Speaking of which, have you guys listened to that new true crime podcast? It's SO good! 
Anyway, I was thinking, it'd be awesome if we could use AI-generated avatars in VR experiences for, like, therapy sessions or something 
. Can you imagine being able to relive memories or scenarios without having to deal with the actual emotions? Mind blown, right? 
. it's like, data control is a thing now & it should b taken seriously!!! i dont no about equity & pact negotiating but if paul w fleming is on board w/ prioritizing consent n transparency, dat's def a step in the right direction 
I mean, think about it - we're talking about our own bodies here! Body scans are already super personal and invasive enough, so why not have some control over how they're used? 
And those contracts can be super shady too... like, what even is the point of having a "nudity rider" if you don't have any real protection for your own digital footprint? 
Like, can't they just have some transparency on set? Actors are already dealing with enough pressure, now we're talking about having our bodies scanned without even knowing what's going to happen to the data. And don't even get me started on AI-generated digital models... it's like, hello! That's not just your face on a screen, that's your entire life story being created and sold out from under you. 
especially w/ all the clauses in contracts that seem 2 grant studios control over their likenesses 4eva 
olivia williams is right 2 speak out about this tho she's like "hey let's get some basic consent & transparency on set" 
i feel 4 her & all the other actors who r tryna navigate this crazy industry rn 
I think this is a big deal for actors and performers 
. They're basically saying "hey, we don't want our faces or bodies used without our permission" 
. It's like, what if you did a body scan just to make a funny meme on social media 
. This is way more serious than that 
. And what's up with these "nudity riders" 
? It's like, you're saying you don't want to be naked in a movie, but then they still use your likeness for whatever 
.
. They should just come clean and say what they're doing with the data 
. And Equity is trying to make some basic rules 
, which is cool 
.
Don't wanna see AI models taking over the industry, that's just not cool 
Olivia Williams is speaking truth here, let's hope Equity and Pact can make some real changes happen 
Do we really want to put ourselves out there without any protection at all? 
What if these digital models are used to create some groundbreaking performance art or something? 
Would we be missing out on something incredible by not embracing this technology? 
and now AI is just gonna take it to a whole new level its like, can we just get some basic transparency around how our likenesses are being used?? I mean I would freak out if i was olivia williams rn 
. We need more control over our own likenesses and how they're used, especially when it comes to sensitive stuff. I'm all for the idea of having some basic protections in place, but we gotta be careful not to get too caught up in tech-speak... just make sure we're not losing ourselves in the process 
- they're taking action now! 
It's only a matter of time before we're seeing more AI-driven performances. The issue with consent is huge - think about it, 65% of people who provide personal data don't even read the terms & conditions