Over 11,000 film and TV writers who have gone on strike This week, we saw the future for the first time in 15 years, scaring them.
The streaming surge is already transforming the entertainment business and could erode the income of screenwriters. Also, the emergence of artificial intelligence threatens to further disrupt the lives of screenwriters. That’s why the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which is spearheading the protests, has imposed strict guardrails on how studios use “generative” text and image tools like his ChatGPT and Dall-E. I would like to set it up.
With studios currently looking to cut costs, cutting screenwriter salaries could significantly reduce the cost of script production, which is the starting point for movies and TV series. To stop them, the WGA calls for a near-total ban on creating or posting entertainment content written using AI.
“For some reason, people forget that there is no story, there is nothing to film without us,” said WGA member and television writer Charia Rose in a video posted on the WGA’s website. .
Specifically, unions want their collective bargaining agreements to ensure that:
- AI does not write or rewrite literary works.
- AI is not used as a source material.
- AI training does not use union-covered materials.
According to the WGA, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), a group representing eight major studios participating in the talks, rejected the proposal and instead called for an “annual conference to discuss technological advances.” proposed. (CBS News and Paramount+ are owned by Paramount Global, one of his studios AMPTP represents.)
Mark Harris, author of several books on American film history and husband of noted playwright and WGA member Tony Kushner, believes that screenwriters will one day see studios outsource some of their work to machines. He says it is natural to fear that
“The producer’s response was, ‘We don’t give an inch about the possibility of replacing you with AI, but we’re happy to give you an annual update on how it’s progressing.’ ‘, he told CBS MoneyWatch.
When considered among the WGA’s other demands on issues such as wages, Harris added that the union’s provision on AI would not cost AMPTP a penny.
“This is, in a way, the easiest way for producers to make concessions, because this is the only point in the whole negotiation that literally costs nothing,” he said.
“lack of respect”
“If the idea of replacing you with a computer program isn’t off the agenda,” Harris said, “it shows a fundamental lack of respect.” , demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of what role the irreproducible human imagination plays in creating scripted works.”
The immediate fear of AI is not replacing us writers with artificially generated content. Rewriting that garbage into something that could have been done better in the first place means we’re underrated, which he the WGA is against and the studio wants.
— C. Robert Cargill (@Massawyrm) May 2, 2023
Tian Jun Gu, a former staff writer on the hit TV series House of Cards and a member of the WGA since 2015, said it was difficult to find a steady paying job in the television industry, and writers were forced to seek many “free jobs.” work,” he said. In development only to consider paid gigs. Screenwriters are regularly asked to submit scripts over and over again, but not every draft is paid.
“We know where things are going. Technology is playing a bigger role than ever before and it won’t go away. It’s about making sure it’s something you can live and work with. Look at this as an investment in the future,” he said in a video on the WGA’s website.
ChatGPT, an AI software developed by startup OpenAI, is already Industry range, from legal services to advertising. In some areas of entertainment, this technology is already being used alongside writers, producers and other Hollywood creatives.
Led by producer John J. Lee, OneDoor Studio recently used AI text and image tools such as ChatGPT, Jasper.ai, and Adobe Firefly to create a crowdsourced movie based on author Nova McBee’s book series “Calculated.” announced. AI is also already playing a role in refining his draft scripts, as well as generating collateral, storyboards, and other visual references for the project.
OneDoor Studios chief marketing officer Dan Cobb told CBS MoneyWatch that the TV show or movie before the scene was shot. “Well, you can literally get a new character right away.”
OneDoor plans to give the AI tool “co-creator” credit for the series. Still, Cobb doesn’t agree that AI will take away screenwriters’ jobs or hurt their financial prospects.
“The professional writer community I’ve spoken to says it doesn’t threaten their jobs. They don’t believe it will replace their ability, but it offers a great idea.” They say it’s great fodder, but let me tell you, it’s the right way.”
