VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

[Mike Paul]

SAG-AFTRA Strikes Groundbreaking AI Digital Voice Replica Pact With Startup Firm Narrativ

Some good AI news

...and some questions after reading the article:

1) How would the Union ensure compliance?

2) Instead of a National spot, could these companies take that rate and reduce it by hiring 50 separate voice actors for Regional spots, where each state has a particular voice that resonates more than one national voice?

3) "It gives actors full control over their digital voice replicas. They choose their rates, they specify ad preferences, ..." How, in this scenario, would we 'choose our rates'? What'd I miss?
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Mike Paul
https://speakingofmike.com

[todd ellis]

So, As I predicted a few weeks ago -

After the Replica wars of 2041 there are not only no more non-union voice actors but no human voice actors at all. All voice work is accomplished via AI and the highest paid voice actor is Randy McConaughey, Matthew McConaughey's Great, great grandson. Selling Pappy's virtual musings for 75 yuan/hour.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

[Bob Bergen]

To answer Mike's questions:

1) How would the Union ensure compliance?

The same way we ensure compliance with every union contract. If need be we file claims. Being that there will be signatories and paymasters involved, this company is no different from any union vo contract. This is one of the things our dues pays for, legal representation and a staff to file claims.


2) Instead of a National spot, could these companies take that rate and reduce it by hiring 50 separate voice actors for Regional spots, where each state has a particular voice that resonates more than one national voice?

No. This company is only selling voices for online platforms, like IHeart, Sirius, and podcasts. The minimum rates on Narrativ only reflect these platforms. The website and the press release did a lousy job of clarifying usage of the voices on this site. They made it sound like this covers all commercial vo and it does not.


3) "It gives actors full control over their digital voice replicas. They choose their rates, they specify ad preferences, ..." How, in this scenario, would we 'choose our rates'? What'd I miss?

The same way we do with any vo contract or job. It all starts with scale. Every actor and their agent has the right to negotiate above scale. But the buyer must at least pay scale. And each buyer who wants to use an actor's voice must get consent. The buyers must be contractually clear how they intend to use the AI voice replica.

Bottom line, this is the next generation of a lift. As it stands, the contract for usage on these digital platforms does not come with residuals. Just a scale payment and a usage calendar. But actors, as well as agents, can negotiate more.




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[Bruce]

Thank you Bob for shining a light into the gradually darkening world of A.I.

Bruce
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .