TV and film extras are concerned about the potential for their roles to be taken over by generative artificial intelligence (A.I.).
Reports reveal that production companies are scanning the faces and bodies of actors and actresses, who fear their likenesses will be used to create fake AI doubles for TV shows and films in the future. Alexandria Rubalcaba, who was working as a background actor, told NPR she was called into a trailer and asked to stand in front of cameras. She was asked to stretch her hands, tuck them in, look different ways, and show a scared and confused face. She noted that she had no idea how her images would be used.Â
Dom Lubsey, another actor cited that studios already used computational techniques to create synthetic images of people to create fake crowds for backgrounds in films.
 Andrew Susskind, an associate professor at Drexel University’s film and TV department, explained how AI-made background actors slash production budgets. “Imagine ballroom scenes, party scenes, any scenes that need tons of extras… Imagine the amounts of money they would be saving. Not paying $180 a day. Plus meals. Plus costuming.” he said.Â
Apple has spent $22.1 billion on research for generative AI, and Kickstarter (popular crowdfunding platform for creative and tech projects) has introduced new AI policies that mandates anyone using generative AI tools to create images, text, or code to make it clear in the description advertising their project. They are also required to explain what content is created by machines and what content is created by them.
