Fremantle and RoseBerry Media plan to use artificial intelligence to map character arcs and assist editors in converting vintage television broadcasts into mobile microdramas, starting with scenes featuring Margot Robbie. Although Fremantle maintains that human editors will supervise the process and no synthetic voices or faces will be generated, talent from the show argue they were never consulted. Former cast members Matt Werkmeister and Sam Clark expressed concerns over whether contracts signed decades ago permit this form of content reuse. While actors and writers are slated to receive ongoing residual payments, crew members will be entirely excluded from financial compensation.
Key points
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance is actively negotiating with Fremantle over wo…: The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance is actively negotiating with Fremantle over worker consultation and likeness protections.
Legacy contracts signed before the advent of artificial intelligence are facing renewed s…: Legacy contracts signed before the advent of artificial intelligence are facing renewed scrutiny from original performers.
Crew members will receive no residual payments from the repurposed content, unlike the pr…: Crew members will receive no residual payments from the repurposed content, unlike the production's actors and writers.
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Former Neighbours actors and crew have raised concerns about plans to use AI to help re-edit old footage and make mini episodes for mobile phone viewers.
Fremantle, producer of the now-defunct Australian TV soap opera, has partnered with US-based RoseBerry Media for the project that will use AI to "scan decades of episodes" to help make short vertical videos.
Footage of Margot Robbie, who played Donna Freedman from 2008 to 2011, will be the initial focus of the micro-drama.
Both companies say the move will bring the show - which aired its final episode last year - to new audiences. But some actors and crew say they have not consented to their images, voice or work to be re-purposed.
Robbie has yet to respond publicly. The BBC has contacted her agency for comment.
In a statement, the companies behind the project said the AI-assisted technology will "scan decades of episodes to map character arcs, storylines and standout moments, helping editors quickly identify the strongest material".
The micro-drama episodes will use "original, previously broadcast footage, dialogue and performances", according…
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