Today's episode is a big one.

We're tackling a topic that's been

buzzing all over casting rooms, green

rooms and group chats,

AI,

and its impact on actors.

Are we being replaced?

Are our voices being cloned?

Will a digital

version

of us be the future

of performance?

Ay, let's take a breath.

Let's get some facts straight, and most

importantly, let's talk strategy.

Thank you for joining me.

This is casting actor's castle.

Well, hello, and

welcome to today's episode

of casting actors.

Gas.

I'm casting partner Geoffrey Dreisbach,

with a McCorkle group in New York.

How are you?

I hope you haven't.

A good day.

I'm having a good day.

Looking forward to sharing some

information about this topic.

It's been on everybody's mind, I think,

a little bit.

And as the technology continues to,

expand

I think the conversation is equally

expanding, so we need to address the

topic.

But first, this is that moment of the

conversation where I get to say thank

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Hey.

Listen.

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just in a very short period of time,

coming up, day after tomorrow, which is

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Oh sorry, may third.

What was I saying?

May third?

Saturday.

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It's taking place at pearl studio, six

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Gosh, I'm so glad I got that date

corrected.

That would be like typical for me to

get the wrong date and be there.

that's not going to happen.

All right, let's jump into the subject,

shall we?

I think we need to talk about AI in

several different subheadings.

So the first subheading I want to chat

with you about is where we stand,

where we stand right now.

I think there's value in taking a look

at where we're at right now.

See, AI has made its way into film and

television

and commercials

and even animation.

But what does that really mean for

actors right now?

Here is where AI is currently being

used.

You're going to see AI in crowd Scenes,

background actors, duplicated digitally.

And so if you're seeing a scene that's

taking place in a stadium, for example,

or let's, say, it's a big, huge

battlefield,

you are probably most likely

see AI.

But guess why?

You really won't see it.

But duplicating

into the atmospherics

of whatever particular scene is taking

place is being done, and has been done

for a little while now.

But you're also going to see it in

stunt work.

AI enhanced doubles.

They are absolutely being used right now

for high risk action.

That makes sense, doesn't it?

It's very, very safe, if you know that

the

action sequence,

that you can actually employ AI to make

it a safer environment so that human

beings don't get hurt.

Well, then I think that there's value

in that as well.

I think that we'll talk a little bit

more about how it might feel like we're

replacing actors.

But honestly, I think that there's

technology

as far as doing the films are concerned

that can be used in an appropriate way.

And so that's how stunt's doubles can

actually be AI,

artificially intelligence.

Ok, let's move on from there.

Voice overs,

AI generated voices for minor or non

union work is happening.

So what does that mean for us?

It means that in each of these areas

right now?

The key takeaway

is that AI is supporting production.

It's not replacing actors yet.

See, the technology is always evolving.

Yes, that's absolutely true, but it's

still limited in emotional depth in

spontaneity and actually in

storytelling instinct.

I think it's important to point out

that unions like segafra are actively

negotiating protections.

Like, for example, the most recent

contracts include language about AI

use.

consent

progress

is happening right now.

But

let me also say that so is disruption.

And that is why this point becomes so

important to us as we take a look at

what AI can actually do or not do.

That's why staying informed is really,

really essential.

Let's break down some of those real

fears that we have.

I just think there's value in getting

real for a second about this.

Actors are worried, and I think

understandably so

questions I hear all the time.

What if they scan my face or voice and

use it for ever?

I think that's a legitimate question.

Here's another one.

Can I lose commercial gigs to an AI

model that looks just like me?

Again, another excellent question.

Another question, will my residuals

disappear

if AI is involved?

So listen?

Those are all valid questions.

That's why consent,

that's why contracts,

that's why compensation structures

are being reexamined

right now.

You see, it's up to us, I think, to

read the fine print.

And we need to understand our rights,

especially with voice image, m,

likeness usage.

So think of your digital likeness

as a valuable asset.

Make sense.

If you do that, then you know, you have

to protect it.

And that brings me to my next

subheading about all of this, is why AI

can't replace you.

So here is an uplifting truth.

AI can't

be you.

It can't

see, it can imitate,

but not create

the way a human does.

Human beings still have the emotional

intelligence,

that

spark of truth

in a moment.

Guess what?

AI doesn't feel that

artificial intelligence?

There's always a human being

programming the artificial

intelligence.

Now it will get to a point where AI

could probably think for itself,

but I question whether that human

that emotional place, is going to be

authentic.

Let's talk also about improvisation.

Let's talk about instinct.

See, that's, to me all human magic.

Let's also talk about human connection.

See, people crave authenticity, not

perfection.

And let's not, forget live performances,

untouchable

theater,

improv

live storytelling.

AI can't touch that raw energy,

directors, casting directors.

And audiences still want collaborators,

not code.

See your imperfections,

instincts and impulses.

See, that's the stuff that captivates.

That's the stuff that impacts.

That's also the stuff that is very,

very difficult

to demonstrate using artificial

intelligence.

So what do we have to do?

So part of me thinks that we have to

future proof our careers,

casting as well as actors.

Future proofing your career is

really a matter of just asking yourself

ourselves, how do we stay ahead?

And here are some smart steps.

I think.

One, as I think we need to stay

educated,

we need to continue to read and try to

grasp and understand what AI artificial

intelligence is all about.

The way we do that is, if we follow

industry news, we ask people questions,

we really read as much as we can about

it.

Now, if you're using something like

chat gpt, for example,

there are many creative ways in which

you can invest time and energy into

getting more information, or more

sucinct information, or even some organizational

concepts that you're experiencing

through chat gpt.

But guess what,

it doesn't cry.

I guess it can reorganize

some structure to let you know and give

you an idea about what might be

important, what might not be important.

But it doesn't connect to your

emotional wellness when making those decisions.

Here's another thought I had about just

how we learn

to live with the technology.

In one thing that is absolutely clear

is that we need to lean into our humanity.

How do we do that?

For actors?

I think it's about working on your

voice, working on your physicality,

your emotional range.

I also think it's about building your

brand, who you are,

your story, your

vibe.

Guess what that's your power.

That is something you have control

over.

It does not have control over you.

And so your uniqueness

infused into choices you're making

about your brand,

that can go a real long way to

solidifying

your place in the industry.

And I think there's value in

collaborating with tech.

I think you can use AI as a tool.

Sometimes actors will use AI to help

you rehearse lines.

Maybe it can help you learn and

generate some thoughts about accents,

or maybe give you some ideas about

choices in playing a character.

See, I think that there are some

contributing factors that AI can actually

help accelerate

your learning,

your understanding of how a character

should be played.

And then, of course, I think we should

union up.

It's important to support contracts and

policies and protect the artist.

I think pressure on our performing

union, say after,

is just

another part of the way some advocacy,

for you in the business

can feel like something is happening.

That you can give yourself a little bit

of grace, because you are actively

involved in making sure that those

contracts and those conversations about

contracts are being had.

I think you can also, if you're not a

member of the union, that's ok.

You can advocate for your peers.

See, you don't need to fight the future.

You don't.

You need to understand and evolve with

it.

That's something I feel quite strongly

about.

So there's also another subheading I

want to share with you in what I call

industry inspiration.

And there are so many great and

inspiring stories out there.

You know, high profile actors putting

their foot down about digital scans

without consent.

That's powerful.

That's useful.

I also know that indie filmmakers,

using real talent, they are not using

algorithms to tell powerful human

stories.

I don't see that changing, especially

with some of the film work that we're

casting right now.

It's the uniqueness of the story, it's

the intimacy

of the personal psyche in these

characters.

That are making some really interesting

content.

I also know that creators using AI to

help enhance their work, not replace

their performers.

See, enhancement is not the same thing.

Well, I think we are at a turning point

where we can set the tone for the next

generation of storytelling.

And I think that that is exciting.

I do.

I know it sounds like I'm vacillating

between pro and Khan and pro and Khan,

but I really think that the correct

perspective is to take everything on

balance and evaluate it from a position

of strength

and a position of understanding.

And

that kind of understanding is powerful.

And the more that we Embrace that

concept, the stronger we are in terms

of the choices that we make.

So let's recap.

So we know that following, we know that

AI is growing, yes,

but understand, in my opinion,

it's still just a tool.

Also,

your humanity

is irreplaceable.

I also believe that the future will

always need artists.

So what can you do right now?

If you're getting upset

with me about this podcast,

here are some thoughts I have about how

you can take a little more control and

a little more understanding with what

we're dealing with.

When we talk about artificial

intelligence.

First, I want you to stay curious.

Just try to gain information, try to

see what are the limitations

that are going to

adjust our thinking

with using artificial intelligence.

Another thing is, I think we need to

keep creating.

I also, I consider this to be

a useful discussion that we need to

continue.

But if you could share this episode

with an actor friend about who's

worried about AI,

my goodness, I think that there's value

in that

and listen.

If you haven't already, I want you to

subscribe to casting actor's cast so

you never miss one of these episodes.

We're going to continue this

conversation,

and we've got some amazing stories

coming up and some information that I

think you're going to find very, very

valuable.

So until next time, I want you to keep

shining.

I want you to keep acting.

And please just remember that no one

can replace you.

Thank you for spending the time with

me.

To day I'm Geoffrey dries back, and

this is casting actor's cast.