Technology

I think it’s about money and control. Slavery is a far more lucrative framework to a shortsighted business model that doesn’t value human life or input in the least beyond what it can earn. Think about exploiting a machine for unlimited gains vs waiting for people to work through a creative process, or rewrites. No breaks for hundreds or thousands. No day limits.

Then think about the people in power being able to implement their own (stupid) visions without any pushback or challenge. Want to incorporate your advertisers, backers or political agendas? Want to change your mind after you release? Responding instantly to testing? Boom. No creative pushback. No talent pushback or wrangling.

And they own it all outright if it came from their platform. Near total “self sufficiency”. There are so many stories about great movies or films that almost didn’t happen because one or several out of touch producers, or bean counters from accounting, almost ruined everything. (Thinking about “The Offer”, or more recently The Algorithm on “Barry”)

Eventually, maybe it could mean fewer unions to negotiate with if studios own both likenesses and writing process, or less bargaining power for the existing unions. They already own your face, or can compose “original” amalgams.

Much can be accomplished on a set / lot with computers as it is. Factor in non union performance, or weaker unions, and I bet they think they’ll print money. I am thinking like late career-Bruce Willis where it’s quantity over quality (before he announced his illness, he squeezed a few more millions out of his name and face doing a scene or two in a series of very low budget films). This would matter to many who care about quality, and ethics, however, look at network drama or procedurals like L&O. People in general can be far less discerning as long as it’s not too bad. In fact, they often prefer formula and tropes are tropes for a reason. Sometimes formulae are overt and sometimes it’s more subtle.

Is that all possible under current law? Do antitrust or monopoly laws cover this? I don’t know. I think pressure could shape laws as usual.

Just a thought experiment from a former entertainment professional. I side with unions of course against the executives and shadowy funders that make the millions behind the scenes. But take all with a grain of salt.

Edit: now I’m thinking about how cost and investment there is over a life to train people to achieve the necessary competence and ability (like any job, or any soldier), and how they could bypass some, or eventually all of that, knee capping human arts and culture. And to some degree literacy. We don’t belong in museums yet… Dang it >:(