Latest news with #SAGAFTRA
The Independent
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
How Netflix plans to utilise AI in its TV series and films
Netflix has confirmed its first use of generative AI in a production, featuring in the Argentinian sci-fi series The Eternaut. Co-chief executive Ted Sarandos stated that AI was used to depict a building collapsing, achieving the visual effect ten times faster than traditional methods. Sarandos highlighted that AI helps creators make films and series better and cheaper, enabling complex effects even for productions with smaller budgets. The use of AI in film and TV has been a significant point of discussion, notably during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The actors' union secured crucial protections regarding AI technology in their November 2023 agreement with Hollywood studios.
Fast Company
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
Netflix slipped something new into your favorite show
For the first time, A hit Netflix show used something unusual to craft a final scene: AI. On its quarterly earnings call, the company's co-CEO Ted Sarandos highlighted the use of generative AI in the sci-fi series El Eternauta (The Eternaut), which debuted on April 30. The post-apocalyptic series adapts an Argentinian comic of the same name, following survivors of a toxic snowfall that blankets Buenos Aires. The scene in question shows a building collapsing dramatically, a feat that Sarandos argues wouldn't have been in budget without leaning on AI. Sarandos says that Netflix's Eyeline Studios partnered with the show's creative team to incorporate 'virtual production and AI-powered VFX' into a final scene. 'Using AI powered tools, they were able to achieve an amazing result with remarkable speed and in fact, that VFX sequence was completed 10x faster than it could have been completed with… traditional VFX tools and workflows,' Sarandos said. While El Eternauta might be Netflix's first foray into using AI to generate final footage, the tech-forward company likely already incorporates AI into other workflows. Netflix doesn't share Hollywood's AI worries Even as companies like Netflix embrace AI, many workers in Hollywood have major qualms with the technology. Concerns about AI in film and TV surfaced during the monthslong Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike in 2023, which sought to block AI from impacting writers' pay and training on their work. The actors' union SAG-AFTRA, which joined the WGA, also sought to protect actors from having their likenesses used without compensation. In spite of those misgivings, AI is already popping up in film and television – including at this year's Oscars. Both Emilia Perez and The Brutalist used AI to finesse actors' voices – a boon that boosted Adrian Brody's Hungarian accent and may have contributed to his best actor win. AI's detractors in Hollywood are as concerned as ever, but given its tech industry mindset and Silicon Valley DNA, Netflix isn't squeamish. 'We remain convinced that AI represents an incredible opportunity to help creators make films and series better, not just cheaper,' Sarandos said. 'They're AI-powered creator tools. So this is real people doing real work with better tools.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Netflix uses generative AI in one of its shows for first time
Netflix has confirmed its first use of generative AI in a production, the Argentinian sci-fi series The Eternaut, to create visual effects. Co-chief executive Ted Sarandos stated that AI was used to depict a building collapse, completing the visual effect ten times faster than traditional methods. Sarandos highlighted that AI enables creators to make films and series better and more affordably, allowing small-budget shows to achieve convincing effects that would otherwise be unfeasible. He also sought to allay fears about AI replacing industry roles, emphasising its benefits in production, pre-visualisation, shot planning, and visual effects. The use of AI in film and TV has been a significant topic of debate, notably during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which secured protections for actors regarding AI technology.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NFLPA members disagree over knowledge of sexual-discrimination lawsuit against Lloyd Howell before electing him: Report
NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. was accused of sexual-discrimination and retaliation in a 2011 lawsuit stemming from his time with Booz Allen, a consulting company. It's unclear whether NFLPA members were informed about that lawsuit when they elected Howell to be their next executive director in 2023, according to ESPN. Conflicting reports have emerged over whether union members were told about the lawsuit when Howell was one of the finalists for the position in 2023. Two player representatives who voted for Howell told ESPN they don't remember the issue coming up during the election process. "I felt really good about the process leading up to it," said one of the players, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "Now that all this stuff is coming out, I am like — wait a second, what happened there?" "To find this out after we elected Lloyd is concerning; it feels like it was quashed," a different player rep told a confidant, who shared the comments with ESPN. Two players who sat on the union's executive committee, however, claim that the lawsuit was shared with all player representatives, and that Howell was asked questions about the lawsuit in front of those player reps. The union's executive committee was tasked with finding and vetting candidates for the executive director role. After performing that search, the executive committee presented Howell and former SAG-AFTRA executive director and chief negotiator David P. White to the 32 player reps, who elect the union leader. Howell was eventually chosen to succeed DeMaurice Smith, who served in the role from 2009 to 2023. A member of the union's executive committee told ESPN that "full disclosures were made to everyone ... and questions were asked" regarding the lawsuit against Howell. The committee added it asked Howell questions about the lawsuit before deciding on him as a finalist, and said it was satisfied with his answers. The Committee also said it spoke with lawyers at Booz Allen and were given "the green light" to move forward with Howell. Howell and three other executives at Booz Allen were sued by Margo Fitzpatrick, a partner at the company, who alleged "the company denied female employees leadership roles and excluded them from certain career opportunities provided to men," according to ESPN. Fitzpatrick claimed that Howell once said the finance industry was "a good ole boys club in which only men could succeed." Fitzpatrick also claimed that Howell once asked whether two other female employees were involved with sororities because they caused "drama," per ESPN. Fitzpatrick reported Howell to senior leadership. Fitzpatrick was later denied and promotion and fired, per her lawsuit. The lawsuit was reportedly settled in 2015, according to ESPN. Multiple parties contacted by ESPN, including the NFLPA and Fitzpatrick, declined to comment about the situation. Howell's position has come under question after multiple reports emerged regarding questionable decisions made by the NFLPA under his leadership. Both the NFL and NFLPA reportedly worked together to bury multiple grievance rulings, one of which suggested the league encouraged teams to collude to reduce guaranteed money given to veteran players. Though the NFLPA lost that ruling, evidence of collusion among the owners should have been treated as a massive revelation. Instead, union leadership tried to keep the ruling from being released publicly. Both sides took the same track with a ruling revealed Thursday, in which an arbitrator found comments made by then-NFLPA president JC Tretter in 2023 violated the collective-bargaining agreement. That arbitrator was reportedly fired by the NFLPA on Wednesday, a day before the ruling was unearthed by journalists Mike Florio and Pablo Torre. Howell also found himself under fire after it was revealed he consulted with The Carlyle Group, a private-equity firm the league has allowed to buy ownership stakes in team, while serving in his position with the NFLPA. Howell was reportedly asked to resign from his consulting role with The Carlyle Group due to a possible conflict of interest, but declined to do so. This story will be updated.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sean Astin To Run For SAG-AFTRA President
The Lord of the Rings actor Sean Astin is seeking to replace SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher in the upcoming union election. Astin has submitted a bid to lead the 160,000-member organization, Deadline confirmed Friday. Also on his ticket are Michelle Hurd for secretary-treasurer, Joely Fisher for president of the Los Angeles Local Board, Lisa Ann Walter for first vice president of the Local Board, and David Jolliffe to return for second vice president. More from Deadline SAG-AFTRA Overwhelmingly Approves Video Game Agreement, Marking Official End To Nearly Yearlong Strike WGA East & West Leave Elon Musk's X Following "Racist And Antisemitic Language" From AI Tool Grok California Lawmakers Pass Amendments To Film & TV Tax Credit Program; Newsom Signs Bill - Update If elected, Astin would follow in the footsteps of his mother Patty Duke, the Valley of the Dolls and The Miracle Worker actress who became the second woman to ever run the then-Screen Actors Guild in 1985. She held the position for three years. Astin has previously served on five separate SAG-AFTRA negotiating committees, including the most recent contract won after a historically long, 118-day strike in 2023. He is also a member of SAG-AFTRA National and LA local boards, and a National convention delegate. So far, the full picture of the race is unclear. Current SAG-AFTRA President Drescher could not be reached for comment on whether she plans to seek another term. Whether Drescher or someone else, the person leading the guild next year will have a herculean task ahead of them as SAG-AFTRA returns to the negotiating table with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which collectively bargains on behalf of the major Hollywood studios. This will be the first contract negotiation cycle after the 2023 strike, regarding an industry that has been hit hard by a global production contraction that has resulted in far less work. There are still some concerns the union is seeking to address, primarily regarding technological advances in artificial intelligence over the past three years. SAG-AFTRA political hopefuls have until 5 p.m. Friday to submit their nominating petitions. A full list of candidates is expected next week. Election ballots will be collected from August 13 to September 12. The Hollywood Reporter was first to report the news of Astin's bid. Best of Deadline 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Soundtrack: From Griff To Sabrina Carpenter 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
