Tom Cruise asked that the demands of the sector regarding the use of artificial intelligence be heard, one of the most sensitive points in the claim expressed by SAG-AFTRA on July 13, hours before the force measures began.
Along with other top industry stars, Tom Cruise supports the demands of striking Hollywood actors who demand a fair salary in return for their work and oppose the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in audiovisual productions.
The renowned interpreter was in favor of the actors' strike that began days ago due to the lack of agreement in the negotiations between the members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA, for its acronym in English) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
As reported by the American media The Hollywood Reporter, the 61-year-old star participated via Zoom in one of the mediation meetings before the declared strike on the activity. According to the same source, Cruise positioned himself against the growing presence of artificial intelligence in productions and warned of the possible threats that the use of technology imposes on actors.
Cruise's statement resonated with thousands of actors and artists currently on strike along with the writers' collective of the Writers Guild of America (WGA). The joint measure represents a significant event, as it marks the first time in more than six decades that both sectors have come together in this way.
During the Zoom conversation, Cruise also addressed the AMPTP regarding the guild's stance on stuntmen. In addition, he petitioned to allow artists to continue their promotional tours after the strike, highlighting the delicate state of the movie theater business after the pandemic. The actor stressed that the dissemination of films is crucial not only for the studios, but also for the actors themselves. It should be noted that, as part of the strike, performers are now prohibited from promoting new projects, conducting interviews, appearing on podcasts, or promoting their work on social media.
While many SAG-AFTRA members made presentations on key points and issues, Cruise was reported to be the most high-profile guest speaker during negotiations before the union's deadline for making a new agreement with the companies expired last Thursday. production companies.
SAG-AFTRA, which represents Hollywood's top talent, has joined forces with screenwriters in the walkout to halt production across the entertainment industry if they do not receive a response to their demands for improvements to your employment status.
This united front may lead to a shortage of series, movies, and TV shows shortly. The union voted unanimously to stop working after his contract expired and negotiations stalled with the AMPTP, which represents streaming giants like Disney, Netflix, and Amazon.
Both SAG-AFTRA and the writers' association are demanding a raise in their salaries at a time when the streaming business predominates. As the industry undergoes significant changes, these unions are advocating for fair compensation commensurate with the growing importance of digital platforms.
It should be remembered that the actors union declared a strike last Thursday, after the failed negotiations between the parties. SAG President Fran Drescher and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland shared the news at a press conference later that day, saying the favorable outcome in the vote was unanimous. Crabtree-Ireland pointed out, in this sense, that the studies left them "no other alternative than to strike."
The effects of the measure will have a global scope. Many recent high-profile European productions, whose casts do not belong to the American Actors Guild, depend on two or three stars who are affiliated with SAG, so the strike is expected to have a significant impact outside the United States.
