Renowned actor Brian Cox has expressed concerns over the ongoing strike by Hollywood actors, stating that it may persist until the end of the year. The strike, initiated by the Screen Actors Guild (Sag-Aftra), involves approximately 160,000 members and revolves around issues such as residuals compensation and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the entertainment industry. In a recent interview, Cox emphasized the potential unpleasantness of the situation and the likelihood of the strike pushing actors “to the brink.”
Body: Brian Cox, the acclaimed British actor best known for his role in the hit series Succession, has raised concerns regarding the ongoing strike by Hollywood actors. In an interview with Sky News, Cox remarked that the recent decision by the Screen Actors Guild (Sag-Aftra) to call for a strike could lead to an extended and potentially unpleasant standoff, possibly lasting until the end of the year.
The strike, which was announced on Thursday, has been driven by issues such as residuals compensation and the increasing use of AI in film and television. Cox expressed solidarity with the Writers Guild of America, whose members have been on strike since May. He emphasized the vital role of writers in the industry, stating that “we have nothing” without their contributions, citing shows like Succession and White Lotus as examples.
Negotiations between writers, actors, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have primarily focused on residuals – payments made to creators when their work is repeated. Streaming services like Netflix have gained massive audiences through extensive content libraries while paying significantly lower residuals compared to traditional broadcast television.
Cox criticized this system, emphasizing its rapid decline and highlighting the importance of broadcast residuals in supporting actors’ healthcare. He explained that a decrease in residuals would jeopardize their ability to maintain adequate health insurance coverage. Despite the streaming services’ apparent success, Cox argued that when confronted about residuals and financial concerns, these platforms tend to evade the issue, hindering a resolution.
Furthermore, Cox addressed actors’ anxieties regarding the use of AI in the entertainment industry. This includes the generation of scripts using artificial intelligence, potentially replacing writers, as well as the creation of an actor’s likeness without their consent. He referred to AI as the “boogeyman,” highlighting the industry’s lack of knowledge regarding its full capabilities and implications.
The AMPTP claims to have proposed an AI agreement that safeguards performers’ digital likenesses, requiring their consent for the use or alteration of their digital representations. However, Sag-Aftra’s chief negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, denounced the proposal, highlighting its inadequate compensation for background performers in exchange for perpetual rights to their digital likenesses.
Cox warned that streaming services could easily develop AI programs that would replicate shows, eroding originality and undermining the creative voice of writers such as Jesse Armstrong, the creator of Succession, and Mike White, the sole writer of The White Lotus. He described such endeavors as unacceptable, referring to them as mere copies devoid of originality.
Conclusion: As Hollywood actors continue their strike, concerns raised by Brian Cox shed light on the potential length and intensity of the standoff. With issues surrounding residuals compensation and the use of AI in the industry, the strike could persist until the end of the year. Cox emphasized the significance of writers and the potential consequences of AI replacing their creative contributions. The negotiations between actors, writers, and the AMPTP will undoubtedly shape the future of the entertainment landscape, impacting the rights and well-being of performers.
