📰 18 September 2024

🤖 Using AI to Replace an Actor Is Now Against the Law in California /// Indiewire

The first bill, AB 1836, “prohibits the use of a deceased person’s voice or likeness in digital replicas without the prior consent of their estate,” according to SAG-AFTRA. The second, AB 2602, “prohibits contractual provisions that would allow for the use of a digital replica of an individual’s voice or likeness in place of the individual’s actual services,” unless the individual gave their consent to a clear, specific description of how the AI would be used.

Love to see this. We need more policy around tech and this is a great start. I feel like if they would've gotten this sorted out earlier, we could've avoided some of the issues with the strike last year. Policy makers are always a step slow in this area and we are still waiting for them to do something about social media and the tech conglomerates.

🎏 Netflix's Ted Sarandos Calls for Streaming Viewership Transparency /// The Wrap

On Thursday, the streamer will release viewership figures for its top shows as part of its biannual data dump. Sarandos said the company saw 94 billion hours of Netflix-watching in the first half of the year, an increase from previous reports. It will also demonstrate that “the biggest movies of the year are these movies that are made for Netflix and only playing on Netflix.”

“I don’t think we could be any more transparent than that,” he added. “I’m hoping that the other folks in the business will follow suit on that.”

Ted Sarandos calls the kettle obfuscated as he asks streamers to provide greater transparency into numbers when they couldn't be "any more transparent than" a data dump of figures for it's best performing shows.

🏆 Hacks Wins Emmy for 2024 Best Comedy Series /// Indiewire

The beloved HBO series has officially won the 2024 Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series for its long-awaited third season. “Hacks” stars Emmy winner Jean Smart and Emmy-nominated actress Hannah Einbinder as an aging (yet still iconic) stand-up comedian and her writing partner.

Hacks with the huge upset over The Bear here. I have to think voters were confused and thought they were voting for S3 and not S2, especially since Liza Colón-Zayas won for Best Supporting Actress, which she deserved for her role in S3E6.

And I don't want to hear people arguing that The Bear is not a comedy. The time to bicker over that is during nominations. Once nominations are set, the best show of the bunch should win and S2 of The Bear was just that. But if someone else is going to win Hacks is the best option.

🎬 Trailer(s) of the Week