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Fans of Black Mirror have been quick to notice the eerie likeness that the dystopian plot lines have in relation to modern-day society.
The most recent connection drawn by fans is to the opening episode of the most recent season , “Joan is Awful,” which startlingly resembles the “groundbreaking AI proposal” included in the statement made by the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) yesterday (July 12), that was discussed at the SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television) press conference today (July 13).
The news of SAG-AFTRA joining the WGA (Writers Guild of America) strike after holding a press conference today (July 13) has completely shaken the entertainment industry to its core.
One notable moment from the conference involved a member of the press asking about the claims made by the AMPTP, including “double digit promises” in terms of compensation negotiations and a “groundbreaking AI proposal which protects performers’ digital likeness.”
SAG-AFTRA’s National Executive Director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland quickly responded to the latter, explaining that “this groundbreaking AI proposal that they gave [them] yesterday [July 12], in that groundbreaking AI proposal, they propose that [their] background performers should be able to be scanned, get paid for one day’s pay, and their company should own that scan, their image, their likeness, and should be able to use it for the rest of eternity in any project they want with no consent and no compensation.”
“So if you think that’s a groundbreaking proposal, I suggest you think again,” he added.
The Black Mirror episode follows Annie Murphy‘s Joan as she discovers that Streamberry, a popular streaming service, is using her life to drive the plot of its latest hit show, “Joan is Awful.” After Joan hires a lawyer to sort out how Streamberry can legally do this to her, she learns that she consented to this when mindlessly signing the streaming provider’s terms and conditions, meaning that Streamberry’s actions were technically not a violation of her rights.
“Black Mirror” and “Joan is Awful” are both currently trending on Twitter, as Twitter users are reeling in the revelation that “Black Mirror knew.” Many are retweeting sentiments such as, “it’s giving joan is awful” and “this is literally the plot of Joan is Awful.“
One user directly called out Netflix, who “gleefully promoted [Black Mirror] in what they deem a “stunning lack of self-awareness.“
The episode, which was released along with five other episodes this season on Netflix just under a month ago, has become a fan favorite, and now a wake-up call to the entertainment industry amid the age of AI. The episode and the rest of the Black Mirror anthology, are available to stream on Netflix.
The strike officially commences at 12:01 a.m. PT on Thursday, July 14, and according to their member notice, “instructs all SAG-AFTRA members to cease rendering all services and performing all work covered by the TV/Theatrical Contracts.”
A recording of today’s press conference is available here.
