A scene highlighting cringe-inducing CGI extras in the Disney+ show Prom Pact released in March served as a reminder why SAG/AFTRA continues fighting to protect union members from the threat of AI replacing actors.
The WGA (Writers Guild of America) may have settled on negotiations with the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers) at the end of September, but SAG/AFTRA, who supported the WGA by going on strike in July, have failed to reach an agreement after negotiations broke down on October 11.
In addition to picketing over studio policy regarding residuals from streaming services, another of SAG/AFTRA members' concerns involves AI regulations.
The teen rom-com movie Prom Pact, which premiered on Disney+ on March 30, 2023, has recently gone viral because of a scene featuring unrealistic-looking extras at a high school pep rally.
Freelance writer Christopher Marc shared the clip on X (formerly Twitter) to illustrate why the SAG/AFTRA strike is so important for the future of its members in the entertainment industry.
"Noticed it's a whole row of AI actors," said Marc of the fake extras.
"Yikes! Disney is insane and just more reason why the AMPTP needs to ditch this plan to replace background actors with AI."
"The uncanny valley will always make your show/film look like hot garbage and age like milk."
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Social media users were shocked.
The Hollywood Reporter, however, said the fake extras in the scene were not actors' images scanned by AI, but were digitally rendered using VFX techniques.
The outlet pointed out how Hollywood has been using CGI to replicate crowd scenes for a while now, and examples of this can be seen recently in shows like Ted Lasso and in films like Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody.
But the effect was jarring in Prom Pact since the extras were seen close-up and, therefore, appeared more obviously inhuman.
People continued sharing their thoughts and concerns.
Marc continued, explaining how it's part of an even bigger problem in Hollywood.
He said:
"Don't know what is worse in this clip, that Disney thinks nobody will notice they've replaced background actors with digital ones or what seems to be a studio scheme to phase out opportunities for minority background actors...both are extremely pathetic."
He clarified:
"Since the terminology is getting everyone's heckles up, 'digital actors'...essentially it's the same result once studios scan the likeness of extras and use digital copies without having to pay original actors for future use."
"It's all still the replacement of working actors."
"The point still stands. Studios want to use technology to essentially erase a segment of the acting trade."
For their part, the AMPTP proposed requiring that performers and background actors provide written consent for the creation and use of digital replicas, and that they be given descriptions of their replicas' intended use.
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