performers Archives

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

SAG-AFTRA union files complaint against Epic over Darth Vader Fortnite AI voice work

SAG-AFTRA has filed a formal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Epic Games for using artificial intelligence to voice Darth Vader in Fortnite without prior notice or negotiation. The union emphasizes the need to protect performers' rights and accused Epic Games of failing to engage in good faith negotiations regarding changes to employment terms, specifically the replacement of human actors with AI-generated voices.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

CHARTS: Clair Obscur Expedition 33 rose to No.2 in second week

Last week, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 rose to the second highest grossing title on Steam, moving up from third place. Counter-Strike 2 is the top grossing title, while The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered dropped to third. The Steam Deck is fourth, and Schedule 1 is fifth. REPO is now sixth, Rust jumped 32 spots to seventh, and V Rising rose 32 positions to eighth. PUBG: Battlegrounds is ninth, and War Thunder is tenth. The Steam Top Ten for the week ending May 6th is as follows: 1. Counter-Strike 2, Valve 2. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kepler Interactive 3. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda 4. Steam Deck, Valve 5. Schedule 1, TVGS 6. REPO, Semiwork 7. Rust, Facepunch 8. V Rising, Stunlock Studios 9. PUBG: Battlegrounds, Krafton 10. War Thunder, Gaijin

AppWizard

May 5, 2025

See ‘The Minecraft Movie’ Best Characters Through The Eyes Of Wētā FX

A Minecraft Movie, directed by Jared Hess, has achieved significant box office success, earning millions worldwide after its fourth weekend and aiming to exceed 0 million. The film's success is attributed to the enduring popularity of the Minecraft video game, a well-developed script, and a talented cast and crew. Wētā FX provided major visual effects, completing 456 shots that blended Minecraft's block aesthetics with live-action footage. They developed a new technology called 'Blokz' to create Minecraft-style blockified shapes and crafted an expansive Overworld environment with 64 terrains. The character Malgosha, designed to reflect Rachel House's performance, was created through extensive collaboration and iterations, balancing creepiness and humor. The film's visual effects were integrated with live-action production to ensure a seamless experience.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

A Minecraft Movie is leaning into the memes with sing-along screenings

The team behind A Minecraft Movie is launching a 'Block Party Edition' screening experience that encourages fans to participate in sing-alongs, including the Lava Chicken song, and shout out "Chicken Jockey" during the film. Tickets for this event are available for screenings on May 2nd, though not all cinemas will participate. The term "Chicken Jockey" refers to a scene where Jason Momoa's character confronts a baby zombie riding a chicken, while Lava Chicken is a song by Jack Black's character about cooking chicken with lava, which recently entered the UK's official music chart as the shortest top 40 entry at 34 seconds. The film's success has led to hints of a potential sequel from director Jared Hess.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

UK acting union Equity calls for better working conditions for performers in games

Equity, the UK's union for actors, is advocating for better working conditions and compensation for performers in the video game sector, highlighting stagnant pay over the past decade despite the industry's growth and substantial tax breaks for major companies. John Barclay, Equity's assistant general secretary, emphasized the need for industry leaders to address poor practices and establish union-negotiated agreements to improve pay and conditions. The union also raised concerns about the lack of protections against the misuse of artificial intelligence and non-disclosure agreements, as well as the need for safer working environments to prevent injuries and ensure respectful handling of intimate scenes.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

SAG-AFTRA union remains “frustratingly far apart” from publishers on AI

Ongoing negotiations between the SAG-AFTRA union and game publishers regarding the use of artificial intelligence in acting are facing significant challenges. SAG-AFTRA has made some progress but remains "frustratingly far apart" from a comprehensive agreement on AI-related issues since the strike initiated by its members in July 2024. Key issues include game publishers' desire to create digital replicas of actors' voices without consent, which raises concerns about performers' rights and potential exploitation. SAG-AFTRA opposes these proposals and has urged its members to stay informed about the gaps in protections for performers. Despite difficulties with the primary bargaining group, SAG-AFTRA has successfully secured interim agreements with over 160 games, yielding higher earnings than non-struck games and demonstrating that protective terms are acceptable to various game companies.