Latest news with #PaulFleming
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UK Actors Union Says 'Thousands Of Performers' Have Been 'Digitally Scanned On Set Without Their Informed Consent' In Open Letter To Pact
EXCLUSIVE: Thousands of UK actors have been 'digitally scanned on set without their informed consent,' according to an open letter from Brit actors union Equity urging progress on artificial intelligence as it returns to the negotiating table with Pact. Deadline is told the likes of British actors Tamsin Greig, Alan Davies, Nicola Walker and Wilf Scolding have so far signed the letter, which was published last week. More from Deadline Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" Can Retain Provision That Bans States From Regulating AI, Senate Parliamentarian Concludes Bruce Lee & Jackie Chan Films Among Kung Fu Classics Set For AI Restorations Screenwriter Scott Z. Burns' New Podcast Poses The Question: Is AI Itself A 'Contagion' Sequel? 'We also have no transparency around how our performances, likeness and personal data are being recorded, stored and processed within the context of the production and beyond,' Equity wrote, in the letter to Pact that has amassed nearly 1,500 signatures. The letter comes a day before Equity and the producer trade body are due to sit down for yet another round of negotiations on a set of new collective agreements that has been rumbling for around 12 months, with AI safeguards proving quite the sticking point. Equity has been upping the stakes in recent months, with re-elected General Secretary Paul Fleming saying the union is 'industrial action ready' if negotiations keep failing while the union threatened court action to the BBC, ITV, Disney and Pact if members rights are breached in the training of AI models. 'We are writing ahead of your negotiation meeting with Equity Officials on 25 June to express concern at the lack of progress on securing AI protections for performers,' wrote Equity in the open letter. 'We believe this is unacceptable and urge Pact to prioritise this crucial area affecting our industry and livelihoods.' Pact declined comment. Using the new U.S. SAG-AFTRA contacts as a partial blueprint, Equity's claim with Pact is tailored to the implications of generative AI for different categories of actor including dubbing and supporting artists. Equity said it has put forward 'a constructive proposal' including 'important provisions on AI training, which the union has made clear is a red line in these negotiations.' 'We will not accept any deal that does not grant us key protections for the use of our personal data for training AI systems and creating AI-generated performances,' it added today. The collective agreements being negotiated govern the vast majority of British TV shows and indie movies. Adding to the confusion, the BBC and ITV's separate agreements with Equity failed to include artificial intelligence safeguards as the broadcasters did not want to include them until the Equity-Pact negotiations are resolved. The broadcasters have insisted that 'discussion around AI provisions remains firmly on the table.' The move comes as the UK government considers legislation that would mean copyright holders must opt-out from having their material used for training generative AI models. A BFI report earlier this month revealed that scripts from more than 130,000 films and TV shows have been used to train such models. Best of Deadline 'The Gilded Age' Season 3 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Equity responds to Trump's film tariff and says it is ‘industrial action ready'
The leader of performing arts and entertainment union Equity said the threat from Donald Trump's proposed 100% tariff on international films will not lead to a change in their 'demands'. General secretary Paul Fleming said the body is 'industrial action ready' during the trade union's annual conference in Londonderry on Saturday. The union has put forward a claim for better pay, as well as regulation around the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) from the UK screen sector trade body, Pact. 'Trump's threat of tariffs on film was met with hysteria from producers, and sent Netflix's share price tumbling', Mr Fleming said at a speech during the conference. 'It revealed the fragility of our own industry – how it is more dependent on cash from the US than strategy from the UK. 'We're not changing our approach or our demands. The message is simple: we have put in the most ambitious claims for our TV and film agreements in a generation. 'Our union is industrial action ready. On dignity at work, on royalties, on artificial intelligence, on casting, and on pay: Pact and the streamers need to deliver.' Pact, Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television, is the UK screen sector trade body for independent production and distribution companies. Mr Fleming said: 'Our members will not wait for a global stability which will not come, or a government strategy which doesn't exist to save them. 'Our claims stand, tariff or no tariff, inflation high or low: Pact and the streamers need to meet their ambition, they don't have a choice.' Also at the conference, members passed a motion to campaign to save Scottish soap River City after BBC Scotland announced it would be axing the drama in 2026. Earlier in the month, Mr Trump said he had authorised the Department of Commerce and the Office of the US Trade Representative to impose a 100% tariff 'on any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in foreign lands'. Tariffs are taxes charged on goods imported from other countries. It is not clear how a tariff on international productions could be implemented and whether such a tariff would also apply to American film companies producing films abroad.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Equity responds to Trump's film tariff and says it is ‘industrial action ready'
The leader of performing arts and entertainment union Equity said the threat from Donald Trump's proposed 100% tariff on international films will not lead to a change in their 'demands'. General secretary Paul Fleming said the body is 'industrial action ready' during the trade union's annual conference in Londonderry on Saturday. The union has put forward a claim for better pay, as well as regulation around the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) from the UK screen sector trade body, Pact. 'Trump's threat of tariffs on film was met with hysteria from producers, and sent Netflix's share price tumbling', Mr Fleming said at a speech during the conference. 'It revealed the fragility of our own industry – how it is more dependent on cash from the US than strategy from the UK. 'We're not changing our approach or our demands. The message is simple: we have put in the most ambitious claims for our TV and film agreements in a generation. 'Our union is industrial action ready. On dignity at work, on royalties, on artificial intelligence, on casting, and on pay: Pact and the streamers need to deliver.' Pact, Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television, is the UK screen sector trade body for independent production and distribution companies. Mr Fleming said: 'Our members will not wait for a global stability which will not come, or a government strategy which doesn't exist to save them. 'Our claims stand, tariff or no tariff, inflation high or low: Pact and the streamers need to meet their ambition, they don't have a choice.' Also at the conference, members passed a motion to campaign to save Scottish soap River City after BBC Scotland announced it would be axing the drama in 2026. Earlier in the month, Mr Trump said he had authorised the Department of Commerce and the Office of the US Trade Representative to impose a 100% tariff 'on any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in foreign lands'. Tariffs are taxes charged on goods imported from other countries. It is not clear how a tariff on international productions could be implemented and whether such a tariff would also apply to American film companies producing films abroad. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
The Independent
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Equity responds to Trump's film tariff and says it is ‘industrial action ready'
The leader of performing arts and entertainment union Equity said the threat from Donald Trump's proposed 100% tariff on international films will not lead to a change in their 'demands'. General secretary Paul Fleming said the body is 'industrial action ready' during the trade union's annual conference in Londonderry on Saturday. The union has put forward a claim for better pay, as well as regulation around the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) from the UK screen sector trade body, Pact. 'Trump's threat of tariffs on film was met with hysteria from producers, and sent Netflix's share price tumbling', Mr Fleming said at a speech during the conference. 'It revealed the fragility of our own industry – how it is more dependent on cash from the US than strategy from the UK. 'We're not changing our approach or our demands. The message is simple: we have put in the most ambitious claims for our TV and film agreements in a generation. 'Our union is industrial action ready. On dignity at work, on royalties, on artificial intelligence, on casting, and on pay: Pact and the streamers need to deliver.' Pact, Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television, is the UK screen sector trade body for independent production and distribution companies. Mr Fleming said: 'Our members will not wait for a global stability which will not come, or a government strategy which doesn't exist to save them. 'Our claims stand, tariff or no tariff, inflation high or low: Pact and the streamers need to meet their ambition, they don't have a choice.' Also at the conference, members passed a motion to campaign to save Scottish soap River City after BBC Scotland announced it would be axing the drama in 2026. Earlier in the month, Mr Trump said he had authorised the Department of Commerce and the Office of the US Trade Representative to impose a 100% tariff 'on any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in foreign lands'. Tariffs are taxes charged on goods imported from other countries. It is not clear how a tariff on international productions could be implemented and whether such a tariff would also apply to American film companies producing films abroad.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
British Equity Backs Amendment Attempting To Stop Casting Directories Charge Out-Of-Work Actors Upfront Membership Fees
British actors union Equity has ramped up its public battle with casting directories like Spotlight by backing an amendment in parliament that it says would stop them charging upfront fees to those looking for work. On Tuesday April 29, the House of Lords will start debating amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, one of which Equity says would prevent casting directories like Spotlight – and other recruitment platforms for creatives – from charging upfront membership fees to work-seekers. This specific amendment will likely be heard in a couple of weeks' time. More from Deadline BBC & ITV Fail To Negotiate AI Safeguards In New Contracts With Actors Union Equity But Broadcasters Say Provisions "Remain Firmly On The Table" Equity & BBC Ink New Agreement Increasing Pay For Actors & Introducing Regulations On Minors And Royalties Payments Equity Calls On Government Regulator To Punish Mad Dog Casting After Agency Collapsed Owing Creditors $2M Equity General Secretary Paul Fleming said: 'This is an important step towards ending the tax on hope for performers and creatives who have for too long faced unfair financial barriers to seeking work. If successful, this amendment would pave the way to end upfront fees for casting directories and creative recruitment platforms for good. ' Supported by a specialist employment rights lawyer, the amendment will be laid down by the Earl of Clancarty Nicholas Trench, a self-employed artist and writer who sits in the House of Lords. The amendment specifically relates to the performing arts and entertainment sectors and calls to 'repeal the rights of employment agencies to charge work-seekers for inclusion of information about them in a publication.' When presented with Equity's plan, Spotlight, which has been singled out by Equity and is also facing legal action from the union, pushed firmly back on the notion that it is behaving improperly and pointed out that it has been invited to discuss the amendment with Clancarty and others. 'Spotlight is not an employment agency, and our subscriptions are not upfront fees – just like Equity's dues,' said Spotlight CEO Matt Hood. 'Spotlight is confident the High Court will reach this conclusion in the coming months.' Hood added: 'We are working with Peers and MPs across political parties, and Ministers and civil servants in multiple departments, on a variety of subjects that will have a real impact on UK performers and the wider industry, including performers' rights, AI, welfare & opportunities for child performers, work in the EU, and safeguarding actors' self-employed status.' Currently making its way through the House of Lords, the Employment Rights Bill is one of the new Labour government's flagship pieces of legislation and deals with areas like working hours, freelance rights and the gig economy, all of which relates to the film and TV industry in some way. Equity has been at war with Spotlight over membership fees for months. The union launched legal action against the well-known directory for 'exploiting its monopoly position in the industry' early last year and Deadline understands this action will be heard in the UK High Court in July. The amendment, we are told, is distinct from the legal action. The practice of charging for membership to directories is illegal in some sectors but not film and TV, Equity says. While UK law allows the likes of Spotlight to charge for membership, it states that a subscription charge should be 'no more than a reasonable estimate of the cost of production.' According to Equity last year, Spotlight had 90,000 members and was earning income in excess of £1.25M ($1.66M) a month. 'It is implausible that this figure represents a reasonable estimate of the costs of production and circulation of the directory,' Equity said last year. Spotlight has previously vowed to fight the legal action while describing Equity's claims last year as 'disingenuous and factually inaccurate.' Best of Deadline Francis Ford Coppola's Career In Photos, From 'Apocalypse Now' To 'The Godfather' Everything We Know About The 'Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Movie So Far Everything We Know About Netflix's 'The Thursday Murder Club' So Far
