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The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced a deal this week with an artificial intelligence gaming company that will allow the licensing of digital replicas of actors' voices, and some members aren't happy about it.
SAG-AFTRA announced the agreement with Replica Studios in a blog post on Tuesday, saying the deal allows Replica to work with voice actors in the union to create and license a digital recreation of the cast's voices for use in games.
SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland speaks during the strike against Hollywood Studios in Los Angeles on November 3, 2023. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
“With this agreement, we have achieved fully informed consent and fair compensation when it comes to the use of our members’ voices and services,” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator, said in a statement.
“We are proud to partner with Replica and lead the way in helping these companies access SAG-AFTRA’s world-renowned talent in an ethical manner that ensures buy-in and fair compensation for their contributions,” he added .
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SAG-AFTRA's blog post states that the agreement with Replica “was approved by affected union members.” [voice-over] However, according to BBC News, a number of prominent gaming spokespeople felt “blindsided” by the deal and are angry about it.
The BBC reported that Guinness World Record holder Steve Blum, whose voice was heard in more than 300 game appearances, said that “'no one' he knew had agreed to the deal.” (Roy Rochlin/File/Getty Images)
The outlet reported that Guinness World Record holder Steve Blum, whose voice can be heard in more than 300 game appearances, said that “'no one' he knew of agreed to the deal,” and World of Warcraft voice actor Andrew Russell, referred to the agreement as “garbage.”
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The BBC further reported that Shelby Young, a voice actress in the upcoming “Persona 3: Reload,” said she was “really disappointed” in the union over the move, while “Pokémon” voice actress Veronica Taylor was questioned about the reason for the contract adopted without the consent of the members.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, seen alongside Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA's national executive director, hailed the agreement as “a great example of AI done right.” (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
But in a statement in the blog post, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher praised the agreement as “a great example of AI done right.”
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Tensions over the AI gaming voice agreement come two months after SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative agreement that ended a 118-day strike in the fight over short-term compensation and future licensing payments for film and television performances in addition to AI provisions.
The terms of the contract have not been announced at this time.