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AI recuts Neighbours without actor consent
25 Oct
Summary
- AI is recutting Neighbours episodes for phone viewing.
- Actors claim they were not consulted on AI use.
- Union calls for AI regulation to protect creatives.
The long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours is undergoing a transformation, with its archives being recut into AI-generated vertical micro-episodes designed for mobile phone consumption. RoseBerry Media is using an AI tool, RedSnapper, to repurpose original footage, beginning with approximately 150 minutes of content centered on Margot Robbie's former character, Donna Freedman.
This innovative use of AI has ignited a debate among cast members and industry professionals. Actors such as Stefan Dennis and Matthew Werkmeister have voiced strong objections, citing a lack of consultation and ethical concerns regarding the use of their likenesses and performances. They express worries about potential exploitation and the absence of clear consent regarding residuals.
Industry unions, including the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and the Australian Writers' Guild, are actively engaging with the situation. The MEAA is providing support to affected actors and is calling for legislative action to establish robust AI regulations. These regulations aim to ensure that creative workers are fairly compensated when their work is utilized by artificial intelligence technologies.
Fremantle, the show's producer, defended the project, stating that only original broadcast footage, dialogue, and performances would be used. They emphasized that the RedSnapper AI does not generate new scenes, alter appearances, or use synthetic voices, with human editors overseeing the entire process. Despite these assurances, concerns persist about the broader implications for intellectual property and artist rights in the burgeoning field of AI-driven content creation.
