Actors Push Back Against AI Body Scanning on Film and TV Sets
Cardiff, Wales – Concerns are rising within the film and television industry over the increasing use of on-set body scanning for artificial intelligence (AI) purposes, prompting a nascent effort by performers to regain control over their digital likenesses. The practice, which involves digitally capturing actors‘ images and movements, fuels fears of job displacement and the devaluation of human performance.
Performers have expressed alarm over being scanned without prior notice, leading to a recent instance where a cast successfully negotiated an addendum to their agreement. This addendum prevents the use of digital scans for anything beyond the current production without written consent, according to one anonymous performer.
The issue extends beyond actors themselves, potentially impacting the livelihoods of assistant directors, hair and makeup artists, costume designers, wardrobe staff, caterers, drivers, and location marshals, one supporting actor noted.
While the technology offers potential benefits for creativity, Theo Morton, a professional stunt performer and member of the British Stunt Register, emphasized the need for contractual safeguards.”The technology could conceivably be used in a reductionist way that drastically reduces the need for human performers, or it could be used to benefit creativity and build things out in a really positive way,” Morton saeid. “There’s a lot of uncertainty and no one truly knows. That’s why it’s so crucial to create safeguards contractually, to protect against this potential erosion of control that could happen.”
however, some, like actor Williams (last name not provided in source), believe control may already be lost.
A key concern is the opaque sourcing of data used to train AI models. Lawrence-Archer (last name not provided in source) highlighted the need for clarity,revealing that actors have made data access requests,and some have reportedly been paid by AI companies to withdraw them.
“The AI industry relies on large amounts of data,” Lawrence-Archer said. “Someone is gathering it. We know that these questions are very sensitive for AI developers and studios.”
Industry advocates are warning against framing the issue solely as one of compensation, fearing it could lead to actors being reduced to “data gig workers” rather than valued creative performers. The focus, they argue, must be on preserving the value of human creativity and performance in an evolving technological landscape.
