Unable to Stop AI, SAG-AFTRA Mulls a Studio Tax on Digital Performers
Variety • • entertainment
Key Points:
- SAG-AFTRA is considering a "Tilly tax," a royalty paid by studios using synthetic actors, to compensate for AI replacing human performers, ahead of contract talks with studios on February 9.
- AI was a key issue in the 2023 actors strike, and while the union won some protections, it cannot fully prevent digital actors like Tilly Norwood from taking jobs but may secure payments for such usage.
- Residuals from streaming platforms remain a major unresolved concern, with actors seeking fairer compensation comparable to traditional broadcast reruns, as current streaming bonuses fall short of earlier union demands.
- Other negotiation issues include limiting exclusivity clauses during long streaming hiatuses and addressing the burden of self-taped auditions introduced during
