One of the biggest battles in Hollywood right now is the use of Artificial intelligence in the creation of shows and films.   It’s been a major point of discussion online over the past year and one of the biggest points of contention with the actor’s and writer’s strikes, where the unions have been trying to get the studios to introduce new rules to protect their talent from an abuse of the use of AI.

The actors’ union has highlighted how the studios have been scanning the faces and bodies of background actors to help with VFX work. However, the studios have been trying to get actors to sign over their likenesses for future films and shows.   The studios have recently returned to the actors union with some new rules regarding the use of AI.

• Advance consent from the performer and background actor to create and use Digital
  Replicas;
• No Digital Replica of the performer can be used without the performer’s written consent
  and description of the intended use in the film;
• Prohibition of later use of that Replica, unless the performer specifically consents to that
  new use and is paid for it; and,
• A “Digital Alteration” that would change the nature of an actor’s performance in a role is
  not permitted without informing the performer of the intended alteration and securing
  the performer’s consent.

The unions have been fighting back over the use of AU, following the news that talks have broken down, saying that the studios are still pushing forward on using AI.

They have done the same with A.I., claiming to protect performer consent, but continuing to demand “consent” on the first day of employment for use of a performer’s digital replica for an entire cinematic universe (or any franchise project).

This could effectively mean a background actor could work on the upcoming “Daredevil: Born Again” series, but have their digital replica used in “Avengers: Secret Wars” and perhaps for decades, depending on how long the MCU lasts.

And today, movie fans have been taking to social media to highlight why the use of AI and digital scans can be abused, but also showing how bad it can actually look.   Movie fans are highlighting the use of poorly created AI actors in the Disney+ Original film, “Prom Pact”, which uses a row of CGI-created actors in a crowd shot during a basketball game.

The use of this technology basically resulted in Disney not employing a whole row of additional background actors for this shot, saving them money.  But also, more importantly, it gives us Disney+ subscribers, a poor visual experience while watching the film, that can pull you out of the experience.  Especially with these virtual crowd characters looking awful.  While technology will increase the overall quality of virtual background actors in the future, this is why the unions are fighting so hard to protect their members from this becoming the standard and putting thousands of people out of work.

With these images and videos from “Prom Pact” going viral, it’s certainly embarrassing for Disney and highlights the issues the actor’s strike is fighting for.

Here are some examples of the reaction to this clip going viral:

WTF that is so creepy https://t.co/m4Ae0uNpEt

— Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK) October 12, 2023

Noticed it's a whole row of AI actors. 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. pic.twitter.com/NpfNbx2X1T

— Christopher Marc Supports SAG-AFTRA (@_ChristopherM) October 12, 2023

You can check out “Prom Pact” out Disney+ now.  The film is set at the height of prom season, but high school senior Mandy Yang has her sights set on a singular goal: attending Harvard. When she finds out she has been deferred, she is determined to do whatever she can to get herself off the waitlist, even if that means asking the one person who represents everything she abhors, all-star jock Graham Lansing, whose father is a powerful senator and Harvard alum.

What do you think of Disney using virtual stand-ins?  Let us know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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