SAG-AFTRA is likely to push for AI performers to be as costly as human actors in upcoming negotiations, aiming to prevent studios from using AI as a cheaper alternative. The union seeks to impose financial penalties and restrictions on AI use, including training AI with members' performances, to protect actors' interests amid increasing AI integration in entertainment.
Harrison Ford will receive the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award in March 2026 for his iconic roles and contributions to acting and humanitarian causes, celebrating his six-decade career and cultural impact.
Sean Astin, president of SAG-AFTRA, discusses the union's efforts to address AI threats, recent industry conflicts like the Jimmy Kimmel incident, and upcoming contract negotiations, emphasizing the need to protect performers' rights, dignity, and health benefits amid technological and industry changes.
Originally Published 2 months ago — by Rolling Stone
Vertical microdramas are rapidly growing as a popular short-form entertainment genre on the internet, attracting significant industry investment and union interest, with Hollywood eyeing this fast-paced, mobile-first format as a new revenue and talent development avenue, despite ongoing concerns about pay equity and working conditions.
SAG-AFTRA is preparing a new agreement for microdramas, a rapidly growing vertical in mobile entertainment, covering projects under $300,000, to support performers and adapt to this emerging format.
SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin addressed the controversy surrounding AI actress Tilly Norwood, emphasizing the union's ongoing efforts to protect performers' rights and secure compensation in the face of advancing AI technology, and stating that the union has significant leverage to ensure real human performers remain valued in the industry.
Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated actress created by Particle6, has sparked controversy in Hollywood, with notable figures like Emily Blunt criticizing the use of synthetic performers, and SAG-AFTRA warning against replacing human actors without proper agreements, highlighting ongoing debates about AI's role in the entertainment industry.
SAG-AFTRA has publicly opposed the use of AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood, emphasizing that creativity should remain human-centered and criticizing the use of stolen performances to create synthetic performers, which threatens actors' livelihoods and devalues human artistry.
SAG-AFTRA criticized the use of AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood, emphasizing that AI lacks human experience and emotion, and warning against the use of stolen performances that threaten actors' livelihoods and devalue human artistry, while the creator of Tilly Norwood defends AI as a new creative tool.
SAG-AFTRA condemned AI actress Tilly Norwood, emphasizing that AI cannot replace human actors due to lack of life experience and emotion, and warning against the use of synthetic performers without proper agreements. The creator defends Tilly as a creative tool, while Hollywood stars express concern over AI replacing human performances.
Sean Astin, known for roles in 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Rudy', has been elected as the new president of SAG-AFTRA, succeeding Fran Drescher, and is the son of actress Patty Duke. He won the election with 79% of the vote and will lead the union representing around 160,000 entertainment professionals amid ongoing industry strikes.
Sean Astin, known for roles in 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Stranger Things,' has been elected as the new president of SAG-AFTRA, succeeding Fran Drescher, in a significant leadership change for the union representing around 160,000 entertainment professionals.
Sean Astin, known for roles in 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Stranger Things,' was elected president of SAG-AFTRA, succeeding Fran Drescher, in a significant union leadership change involving approximately 160,000 entertainment professionals.
Sean Astin, known for his role in 'Lord of the Rings,' was elected president of SAG-AFTRA, succeeding Fran Drescher, with Michelle Hurd as secretary-treasurer, amid a low voter turnout. They campaigned on themes of returning production to the U.S., improving benefits, and AI protections, and will face upcoming contract negotiations in 2026.
Sean Astin was elected as the new national president of SAG-AFTRA, succeeding Fran Drescher, with Michelle Hurd as secretary-treasurer, amid declining voter turnout. The union faces upcoming contract negotiations with Hollywood studios, focusing on issues like AI technology and industry contraction.
