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Post by Critical on Jul 14, 2023 0:36:17 GMT
Well, it's going to be an interesting rest of the year (and probably beyond) on TV. In support of the WGA, SAG-AFTRA has gone on strike too. That means, not only no writers, but no actors as well, including promotion of completed projects. I wonder how long the big suits will be able to withstand that.
This is going to affect every talk show, morning, daytime and late night as well. Time to catch up on watching things you missed....oh, and probably even more reality tv!
OH! And Comic Con starts next week and panels are already being canceled.
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Post by libgirl2 on Jul 14, 2023 16:34:17 GMT
Well, it's going to be an interesting rest of the year (and probably beyond) on TV. In support of the WGA, SAG-AFTRA has gone on strike too. That means, not only no writers, but no actors as well, including promotion of completed projects. I wonder how long the big suits will be able to withstand that.
This is going to affect every talk show, morning, daytime and late night as well. Time to catch up on watching things you missed....oh, and probably even more reality tv!
OH! And Comic Con starts next week and panels are already being canceled.
I know, this will be interesting. I have a lot of seasons of various shows on Acorn that will keep me busy for awhile but there are a few shows I'm concerned about. Thank God, What We Do in the Shadows is already filmed! At least I hope it is. |
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ccl
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Post by ccl on Jul 14, 2023 17:45:11 GMT
They finished filming current season of Shadows in December so all good there.
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Post by libgirl2 on Jul 14, 2023 18:47:58 GMT
They finished filming current season of Shadows in December so all good there. Thank you. I figured it might be the case. |
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Post by Kao on Jul 14, 2023 19:52:14 GMT
They finished filming current season of Shadows in December so all good there. Thank you. I figured it might be the case. The first two episodes of the season just dropped on Hulu. |
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Post by libgirl2 on Jul 14, 2023 20:32:12 GMT
Thank you. I figured it might be the case. The first two episodes of the season just dropped on Hulu. We have FX and watched them. I just didn't know if they had the whole season wrapped up. |
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Post by Navybelle on Jul 15, 2023 5:16:03 GMT
Well, it's going to be an interesting rest of the year (and probably beyond) on TV. In support of the WGA, SAG-AFTRA has gone on strike too. That means, not only no writers, but no actors as well, including promotion of completed projects. I wonder how long the big suits will be able to withstand that.
This is going to affect every talk show, morning, daytime and late night as well. Time to catch up on watching things you missed....oh, and probably even more reality tv!
OH! And Comic Con starts next week and panels are already being canceled.
This is what I read about the strike and how it will affect things. AI really is a scary prospect, in a lot of ways, but I don't blame these workers for trying to protect themselves. I too wonder how long this can last! |
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Post by Amy Lee on Jul 15, 2023 5:19:46 GMT
I love Fran Drescher and 100% support the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Get your your coins!
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Post by Critical on Jul 15, 2023 5:48:08 GMT
This is just pure evil:
I've seen comments online about the rich actors going on strike and harming the little people who work on sets. The thing is, Hollywood is loaded with unions. Those unions have emergency funds set up for their members. There are also members of other unions who are donating to help those who can't afford this work stoppage. The people who are blaming the wealthy writers and actors are doing exactly what he execs want them to do. As someone pointed out in the comments of another article I read today, the average SAC-AFTRA member makes under $50K. Heck, the vast majority of members can't support themselves just by acting.
There are studio execs talking about how they can't afford to pay people what they're asking for, while they themselves are making $50M+. It's a bummer than we won't have new content on TV or in theaters, but I'd rather wait and have them get what they deserve than watch projects with people who aren't paid fairly.
This article, which focuses mostly on Orange is the New Black, highlights the issues with streaming services and how little actors are paid AND what a lack of residuals means.
Apparently, many of the supporting actors - and a lot more than you'd think were considered supporting - on that show were paid the SAG day rate, which ended up being around $1000 per episode in the first season. Subtract the percentages that go to managers and agents and everyone else and that's not enough to live on. These are actors on, what was at the time, one of the hottest shows on the planet.
The conversation about AI is infuriating. As if AI can really take the place of human writers and actors. You know what AI should take the place of? Studio execs.
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Post by Imperfect1 on Jul 15, 2023 13:15:09 GMT
Well, it's going to be an interesting rest of the year (and probably beyond) on TV. In support of the WGA, SAG-AFTRA has gone on strike too. That means, not only no writers, but no actors as well, including promotion of completed projects. I wonder how long the big suits will be able to withstand that.
This is going to affect every talk show, morning, daytime and late night as well. Time to catch up on watching things you missed....oh, and probably even more reality tv!
OH! And Comic Con starts next week and panels are already being canceled.
All I can say is, thank heavens for all of the streaming services, cause at least with them, there'll be some good shows to watch. The actors/writers strike of 1960 went on for MONTHS without anything new to watch on tv. And in those days there was no cable, no streaming services, no "on-demand" tv, no internet, in fact there weren't even any computers yet!  Nowadays, at least we have all of those, so we'll have plenty to watch while the strike drags on and on. |
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Post by Arielflies on Jul 15, 2023 14:21:07 GMT
Last actor strike I remember, I became a scab as the company where I worked was on the verge of making a commercial. It was a walking cross-over - no words. The president of the company did all the speaking. It was interesting and I saw myself in the commercial on Comedy Channel. That was fun. No pay - gratis for company. Being a scab bothered me as half my family was heavily union on the railroad. Still interesting.
I'm just really hoping that season 2 of Wrexam is in editing and no longer filming. There might be a show late summer to fall. Love that show - they are nominated for 6 Emmies. Hope the ceremony is rescheduled.
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Post by Kao on Jul 15, 2023 14:31:11 GMT
People need to realize that the Hollywood Stars making 20 million plus a movie is the top 1 percent. The majority of actors are bit players, background characters, or on shows that don't make a lot of money and when they do it doesn't trickle down to the actors. I read that interview with an actress from "Orange" who said that she received 20 dollars in residuals last year for all 53 episodes she appeared in the series. In contrast, she was a bit player in 2 episodes of a L&O episode and received $900 in residuals. Info has been leaking about Disney wanting to hire bit actors for a day's work, scanning their bodies, and then using their likeness "in perpetuity" and that studio head saying that "they want to drag this out so people (writers and actors) will start losing their apartments and homes." It's absolutely vile, and Bog Iger (a man making 26 million a year) saying that writers and actors are "unreasonable" to want a livable wage is ridiculous...I think we're seeing a sea change in attitudes, and people are sick of seeing CEOs people who create nothing being billionaires while the rest of us are scraping and starving. It's become more and more obvious that there's more than enough to go around for everyone but you have a group of people now literally hoarding wealth and refusing to pay people enough to live on while they flaunt their newest yacht or whatever.
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Post by Amy Lee on Jul 15, 2023 17:21:48 GMT
Well, it's going to be an interesting rest of the year (and probably beyond) on TV. In support of the WGA, SAG-AFTRA has gone on strike too. That means, not only no writers, but no actors as well, including promotion of completed projects. I wonder how long the big suits will be able to withstand that.
This is going to affect every talk show, morning, daytime and late night as well. Time to catch up on watching things you missed....oh, and probably even more reality tv!
OH! And Comic Con starts next week and panels are already being canceled.
All I can say is, thank heavens for all of the streaming services, cause at least with them, there'll be some good shows to watch. The actors/writers strike of 1960 went on for MONTHS without anything new to watch on tv. And in those days there was no cable, no streaming services, no "on-demand" tv, no internet, in fact there weren't even any computers yet! Nowadays, at least we have all of those, so we'll have plenty to watch while the strike drags on and on. It's a shame that actors don't get properly paid for their work that gets streamed. |
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amber
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Post by amber on Jul 15, 2023 18:23:50 GMT
The strikes are about AI. The rest of what they're discussing is fluff.
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Post by Critical on Jul 15, 2023 22:27:59 GMT
The WGA strike is not about AI. Yes, the AI issue is a big one, but moreso with SAG-AFTRA. The issue that affects both groups has to do with streaming and royalties/residuals. Writers are also not getting paid the way they would on network or broadcast cable. Seasons on streaming are shorter, so writers get paid for fewer episodes, which don't happen as frequently as, say a series on ABC would. Also, series that are on Netflix that weren't produced by Netflix are not resulting in residuals, as they would on a regular TV network. For instance, Gilmore Girls continues to be very popular on Netflix. Only that final 4 episode "season" was produced for Netflix, but the 7 preceding seasons are also available on Netflix. When the series was in syndication on ABC Family, the cast members all got residuals when episodes they appeared in aired. When the show moved to Netflix, those payments stopped. Supporting and background actors rely on that money, which can end up being a lot more than they were actually paid for the episode. Plus, no one - actors or writers - gets paid based on how many times a streaming movie or series episode is viewed (they get a flat annual rate), so someone can do work on a highly successful show and get paid no more than someone who worked on a project that premiered and then disappeared. All of this, while the execs at Netflix raked in hundreds of millions of dollars in salary and bonuses over the last 5 years. It's not just "we can't afford to pay you," it's "we'd rather pay ourselves more." Of course, AI is tied in up in the pay issue, and I think it's going to become a bigger issue, which is why it's being flagged as a problem now. They're trying to get ahead of the problem now, so it doesn't become a huge problem the way the residuals issue has. I don't necessarily want to see MORE reality TV (in spite of being an admin on this site  ), but it's going to happen. I'd love it if networks opted to air more Canadian series. There are some great ones and many don't end up airing in the US. In recent years, it's just been Burden of Truth on the CW (which is done) and Transplant on NBC. |
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amber
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Post by amber on Jul 15, 2023 23:20:03 GMT
I can appreciate your point of view, but I still believe both strikes are about AI and being replaced by robots. The rest of it is sideshows.
It's not about future contractual residuals for future work. It's about whether there will be enough future work. If AI is writing scripts, will teams of writers be necessary? If AI can deep fake videos, is an entire cast of characters to produce scenes required?
Rest assured that AI can't replace the service industry. Oh, wait, yes, to a large extent, it can.
The strike isn't about eliminating AI, for that would be impossible. It's about limiting AI, which is also, IMO, impossible. Will AI implementation be harnessed? Sure, but not by WAG or SAG-AFTRA. They're powerless to set the standards.
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Post by Critical on Jul 16, 2023 0:57:16 GMT
I think the AI issue is imminent, while the residuals issue is immediate. If you've read anything written by AI, it's clear writers aren't in immediate danger of being replaced. Same with visual AI. The pictures are pretty good, but moving images? Not there yet, at least not to replace lead performers.
The pay issue is happening right now.
The WGA and SAG-AFTRA aren't powerless. They're the creators. Without writing talent and performers, studio execs are kind of left with nothing. I have hope that public opinion will turn against the execs HARD. The unions have the power of collective bargaining and the strike.
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Post by Critical on Jul 16, 2023 1:55:12 GMT
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Post by MissGriss on Jul 16, 2023 1:58:46 GMT
If we wanted to make an impact on streaming services in support of the actors and writers, the best way to do that would be to cancel subscriptions and let them know why. If the public united in that way, it could have a huge impact; and maybe the strike would be positively resolved before people lost their homes.
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Post by JustJuls on Jul 16, 2023 2:28:34 GMT
I can't imagine ever watching a show with AI actors. Is this really what is being talked about? I'm so out of the loop |
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Post by Critical on Jul 16, 2023 3:22:28 GMT
I can't imagine ever watching a show with AI actors. Is this really what is being talked about? I'm so out of the loop There's talk of actors being scanned and then their AI likeness being used for whatever the studio wants, while they're only paid for one day of work. |
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Post by JustJuls on Jul 16, 2023 4:00:13 GMT
OMG. That's disgusting.
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amber
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Post by amber on Jul 16, 2023 4:21:05 GMT
I think the AI issue is imminent, while the residuals issue is immediate. If you've read anything written by AI, it's clear writers aren't in immediate danger of being replaced. Same with visual AI. The pictures are pretty good, but moving images? Not there yet, at least not to replace lead performers. The pay issue is happening right now. The WGA and SAG-AFTRA aren't powerless. They're the creators. Without writing talent and performers, studio execs are kind of left with nothing. I have hope that public opinion will turn against the execs HARD. The unions have the power of collective bargaining and the strike. This isn't a political argument, and I am only throwing in this one sentence: AI technology is moving so fast that concern has been expressed for the legitimacy of the 2024 elections. Why wait to strike until this year? Lack of negotiations? Lack of organization? There's been a decade of streaming. Why now? I'll agree that the ecomomy being in the tank and two years of high inflation has something to do with why now, but there is no way to disregard the one major critical issue defining the future of the industry (not in ten years, but) next year and that is AI. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hollywood_strikesvariety.com/2023/biz/news/sag-actor-strike-contract-sticking-points-1235670826/ |
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Post by Cootie on Jul 16, 2023 4:44:33 GMT
I think the AI issue is imminent, while the residuals issue is immediate. If you've read anything written by AI, it's clear writers aren't in immediate danger of being replaced. Same with visual AI. The pictures are pretty good, but moving images? Not there yet, at least not to replace lead performers. The pay issue is happening right now. The WGA and SAG-AFTRA aren't powerless. They're the creators. Without writing talent and performers, studio execs are kind of left with nothing. I have hope that public opinion will turn against the execs HARD. The unions have the power of collective bargaining and the strike. This isn't a political argument, and I am only throwing in this one sentence: AI technology is moving so fast that concern has been expressed for the legitimacy of the 2024 elections. Why wait to strike until this year? Lack of negotiations? Lack of organization? There's been a decade of streaming. Why now? I'll agree that the ecomomy being in the tank and two years of high inflation has something to do with why now, but there is no way to disregard the one major critical issue defining the future of the industry (not in ten years, but) next year and that is AI. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hollywood_strikesvariety.com/2023/biz/news/sag-actor-strike-contract-sticking-points-1235670826/I suspect that their contract was expiring. I heard that they had been negotiating for a number of days and that both sides were very far apart and things weren't getting resolved. |
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Post by Cuddles on Jul 16, 2023 13:28:18 GMT
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Post by Amy Lee on Jul 16, 2023 13:47:18 GMT
If we wanted to make an impact on streaming services in support of the actors and writers, the best way to do that would be to cancel subscriptions and let them know why. If the public united in that way, it could have a huge impact; and maybe the strike would be positively resolved before people lost their homes. This right here. I love watching TV and have loved it since I was a child. With that said, I am not opposed to canceling streaming services to help make an impact. I can't imagine ever watching a show with AI actors. Is this really what is being talked about? I'm so out of the loop There's talk of actors being scanned and then their AI likeness being used for whatever the studio wants, while they're only paid for one day of work. They're trying very hard to do this in voice acting as well, and it's highly being discouraged, as it should be. |
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Post by Arielflies on Jul 16, 2023 14:23:17 GMT
Whenever I see a waxy skintone (specially in a commercial) I think AI. They are already conditioning us in subtle ways...Avatar, anyone? Becoming an Alien force has become common and acceptable. Next step - human form.
Is this their way of skirting pay to humans who need to eat and pay for a roof over their heads?
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Post by Kao on Jul 16, 2023 16:40:00 GMT
Whenever I see a waxy skintone (specially in a commercial) I think AI. They are already conditioning us in subtle ways...Avatar, anyone? Becoming an Alien force has become common and acceptable. Next step - human form.
Is this their way of skirting pay to humans who need to eat and pay for a roof over their heads?
They used motion capture based on actors in Avatar and they were actually acting; there's a difference between using CGI and AI. Personally, I don't see AI replacing actors because I saw a AI trailer of "Heidi" that was completely done in AI and it was nightmarish. |
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amber
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Post by amber on Jul 16, 2023 16:53:42 GMT
Whenever I see a waxy skintone (specially in a commercial) I think AI. They are already conditioning us in subtle ways...Avatar, anyone? Becoming an Alien force has become common and acceptable. Next step - human form.
Is this their way of skirting pay to humans who need to eat and pay for a roof over their heads?
They used motion capture based on actors in Avatar and they were actually acting; there's a difference between using CGI and AI. Personally, I don't see AI replacing actors because I saw a AI trailer of "Heidi" that was completely done in AI and it was nightmarish. I don't think it's about TPTB looking for ways to deprive actors of means to make a living. If the technology exists, how can it halt or slow down the industry's future? Should it be? IMO, the writers' unions are concerned with AI developing scripts and, in response, demanding that AI be controlled as *their* tools. The actors are concerned about being replaced altogether, today as extras, but tomorrow in larger parts and even leads. |
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amber
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Post by amber on Jul 16, 2023 17:01:51 GMT
Whenever I see a waxy skintone (specially in a commercial) I think AI. They are already conditioning us in subtle ways...Avatar, anyone? Becoming an Alien force has become common and acceptable. Next step - human form.
Is this their way of skirting pay to humans who need to eat and pay for a roof over their heads?
They used motion capture based on actors in Avatar and they were actually acting; there's a difference between using CGI and AI. Personally, I don't see AI replacing actors because I saw a AI trailer of "Heidi" that was completely done in AI and it was nightmarish. Maybe but I doubt this will be the case in near future applications ... "AI analyzes the footage from a single camera and captures many elements, including the actors' performances, lighting, compositing, camera motion, etc. Then, it automatically animates, lights, and composes the CG character directly into the live-action scene." www.lifewire.com/ai-and-gpt-4-could-allow-movie-makers-to-have-even-more-creativity-7368868 |
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), but it's going to happen. I'd love it if networks opted to air more Canadian series. There are some great ones and many don't end up airing in the US. In recent years, it's just been Burden of Truth on the CW (which is done) and Transplant on NBC. 
