Newsletter September 27, 2024
Last week I should have given credit to my wife Debbie for taking the original picture from which that anime picture was created. She also took the author photo that I’ve been using on my website. Thank you, My Love.
Like last week, I ran Debbie’s original picture through a filter for this newsletter which you see above. I did try to use the anime filter again but it removed my glasses and gave me a goatee, so I used the watercolor option instead.
The anime picture from last week brought up a discussion with another creative artist about the ethical use of AI. I assured them that it was from a photo run through a filter, not a completely new AI creation.
Why is this important? A filter is a tool for altering creative work, like turning a photo into B&W or enhancing the colors of a sunset. An original AI creation is actually an amalgamation of many creative artists scraped together to create something “new” by imitating their talents. They don’t get credit and they don’t get paid.
I belong to SAG-AFTRA who decided to strike over this very issue in 2024. The studios were prepared to catalogue actor’s images by paying for them once and then reusing them in perpetuity. Forever. For free. Not only would it have been a massive pay cut for performers, it could easily be abused in any number of ways (sex and violence top the list).
Production companies spend a lot of money to hire, direct, costume, apply make-up, and transport actors. And many of these actors are earning their way toward qualifying for medical insurance and benefits.
The strike was resolved when the studios agreed to pay for each use of an actor’s image AND get consent for its specific use. The benefit to the production company is that they can use AI to quickly direct, costume, and apply make-up for crowd scenes or other purposes. The benefit to actors and other performers is getting paid for their images and their talents.
Actors, dancers, singers, are performing artists earning money from their images and voices. The watercolor of my face above is used with my consent and the original photo was shot by my wife. The AI filter is a tool for changing the image, but not a completely new creation. I fear that distinction will get muddier by the day and I wonder where it will lead us in the creative arts.
Some of the portals that I use to submit short stories are quite adamant that no AI generated stories are submitted, and rightfully so. But grammar-check and spell-check are tools that I use frequently and I assume they’ll be tasked to an AI program soon if not already. I hear there are AI critiques that writers can buy to improve their story telling. Do you see the muddy parts ahead?
I don’t have the answers here, but I do plan to conscientiously consider what I do and how I do it. I think everyone should.
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In honor of Banned Books Week I encourage you to read a banned book just to be able to make up your own mind. Some of the more famous choices include Mark Twain, Stephen King, Toni Morrison, and even Judy Blume.
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If you received this email because it was forwarded to you by a subscriber, welcome. You can subscribe as well by following the link on my website: ericmargerum.com. A free story awaits you there.
Eric Margerum 