This week I’m joined by experienced LA-based gaming voice actor Ted Evans (tedevansvo.com) to discuss the current Interactive Agreement strike impacting the video game sector.
JMC: For these who are confused about the current SAG-AFTRA Interactive Agreement strike, can you explain what’s going on? Obviously another strike was settled recently. How is this one different?
TED: From what I understand, these negotiations have gone on for almost two years. Several of the leading companies that make the big videogames are refusing to put language into contracts about or agree to a NAVA Rider regarding protection of rights to an actor’s voice/likeness/image/movement. They believe that those things are simply “data” that can be used to feed into generative AI programs to enable them to use that information to port into any game, withOUT compensation to said actor. Basically, there is no language to prevent them from completely replacing humans in videogames and making it impossible for actors to make a living in this arena, which as we know is a billion dollar industry. And that industry built by developers on the backs of the performers whose “data” is currently being devalued by these companies. The more recent SAG strike pertained to on camera actors for TV and film, but did nothing to address the rights of voice actors, PCAP/Mocap performers, or stunt people, whose work makes these games so popular.
JMC: Why do AI concerns seem to be impacting the gaming and mo-cap areas so specifically?
TED: Videogames have gotten more and more advanced and detailed over the years. It is not uncommon for characters to be speaking continually, or moving throughout different environments, and to capture those performances require a human to have said and done all those lines of dialogue and specific movements – and that takes a long time. The demand for new content in games for new games and as add-ons to those games is very high, and companies believe if they cut down on time and manpower, that that will benefit everyone in the long run. Completely ignoring the fact that NONE of the emotional connection players have to those game characters would exist without the actors’ blood, sweat and tears that they have poured into the end result. An AI system only knows to replicate what it has been shown – an amalgamation of different performer’s voices, likenesses, and motion. By using this information without an actor’s consent or without providing them compensation when their performance is used, is akin to stripping them of everything they have and throwing them in the garbage. And when these companies make as much as they do, especially on AAA titles, and still want to cut actors out while padding the pockets of their higher ups and board members, it is particularly despicable.
JMC: What should non-union actors be doing right now? There have been many calls among non-union talent to stand in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA. Why is this important?
TED: There is always strength in numbers, so solidarity is very much needed and appreciated. When these companies can’t get what they want from Union members, their first step is to say “well we’ll just hire non-union actors to agree to our (crappy) terms”. NU actors, especially ones starting out, need all the work they can get, and to work on a AAA title is extremely seductive, especially one with an established name that will propel that person’s career. This is also how rates have continued to spiral downwards and the amount of union work has continued to shrink over the years. All the companies care about is their bottom line, but we as performers care about achieving our dreams, so it makes sense why an actor would take work during this strike, from a personal standpoint. BUT – to agree to work with one of these struck companies would be to play right into the hands of these companies who want to strip us of everything we have (or at least are indifferent to that concept), and I would advise any NU actor to refuse this work for the time being.
JMC: What can all VO’s be doing to support the strike beyond just amplifying it on social media?
TED: Joining NAVA and utilizing their resources is a good start, and attending webinars to help educate yourself. I recently attended NAVA’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con where I learned much of what I am relaying here.
JMC: What do you think a reasonable timeline is for a resolution? How entrenched are both sides?
TED: That is a good question for people on the negotiation committee. I think it’s hard to tell right now, but I would hope for a reasonably swift solution to this.
JMC: Any final thoughts?
TED: I have hope that we will get through this, and that actors will still be able to build careers in this industry. Hearing how these companies think is indeed disheartening, but how we can unite and discuss and lift each other up during these strange times keeps me optimistic.
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