Hollywood is on Strike

[Steevy Maximus]

There is a potential escalation in play:
The voice actor union has joined the fray, especially in regards to AI replication of performers' likeness. If unaddressed, they might also be joining the broader entertainment strike.

5 things to know about a potential strike against video game companies

SAG-AFTRA members will vote this month on whether to authorize union leaders to call a strike against video game companies. Here's how we got to this point.

www.latimes.com

 

[Ungnome]

With the UAW also on strike, we could be getting closer to a general strike. Just need a couple more industries to enter the fray.

 

[Echowarrior]

With the UAW also on strike, we could be getting closer to a general strike. Just need a couple more industries to enter the fray.

The UAW is doing limited strikes, however. Only workers in a few states are on strike, rather than all of them. Odds are good that their strike will end much sooner than the strikes in Hollywood.

 

[The Mighty Mollusk]

Shame. We could use a general strike. (Or at least the metalworker unions. It's about the only way I'll get anything like a vacation any time soon.....)

 

[Dake]

With the UAW also on strike, we could be getting closer to a general strike. Just need a couple more industries to enter the fray.

Southwest Airlines pilots are getting close as well. Although the RLA makes it a bit more complicated there.

 

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

RLA?

 

[The Predaking]

RLA?

I think they are referring to the Railway Labor Act.

Railway Labor Act - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[The Predaking]

Time is reporting the WAG have reached a tentative agreement. Picketing has stopped while the finalized version gets made and voted on. No word on any progress with SAG.

 

[Echowarrior]

I sincerely hope that this is one that the WGA can be satisfied with, and that it can be a good springboard for the SAG.

 

[CoffeeHorse]

I wish both guilds would hold out until they both get a deal. Collective collective bargaining.

 

[wonko the sane?]

Agree with the sentiment, but in this case it's kind of unnecessary. The relationship between writers and actors is basically symbiotic: even if the writers get back to work, nothing will get done without the actors.

 

[Tuxedo Prime]

The new season of survivor is 90 minute episodes. Considering the last writers strike spawned reality TV as we know it today: I fear what loathsome abomination with be birthed with this one.

We also got Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, as I recall (as well as a big boost to the Tube of You from all the Evil League of Evil applications....).

 

[Dekafox]

Meanwhile the SAG strike may expand:

SAG-AFTRA members overwhelmingly vote in favour of authorising video game strike

UPDATE 29/09/23: Acting union SAG-AFTRA and the video game producers negotiating a successor to the Interactive Media A…

www.eurogamer.net

 

[Caldwin]

Welp, back to text-only dialogue in video games!

 

[Axaday]

I wish both guilds would hold out until they both get a deal. Collective collective bargaining.

It looks like they got the essentials they wanted and it will be difficult for the studios not to make a similar deal with actors.

 

[Ungnome]

Nah, we're beyond that now. It will all be Siri level text to speech, either that or every game's dialog will be rendered in Animal Crossing speak.

 

[wonko the sane?]

Hell, modders have been using AI to add entirely new voice dialogue to fallout 4. Not spliced together existing lines, entirely new.

Frankly: it's ******* terrifying. I hope the union wins.

 

[Ungnome]

My fear is that it's too late and I can easily see the executives in the gaming industry simply saying 'we don't need you anymore' to SAG-AFTRA members. The industry is notoriously anti-union as it stands, after all.

 

[Dekafox]

Nah, we're beyond that now. It will all be Siri level text to speech, either that or every game's dialog will be rendered in Animal Crossing speak.

 

[wonko the sane?]

The "simple" solution to that is prioritize the purchasing of games that either do not use voice acting, or has certified that it has real actors working for it rather than AI voice generation.

Make 'em feel it in the pocket book, and they'll change their tune.