On April 30, the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary’s subcommittee on intellectual property will hold a hearing on the No Fakes Act. The bipartisan proposal would protect all people's voices, images and likeness from unauthorized recreations from generative A.I. In this episode, host and SAG AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland is joined by two people with intimate knowledge of the issue. Dr. Moiya McTier is an astrophysicist, folklorist and senior advisor to the...

From heroes to villains, video game characters drive compelling narratives and make our favorite games engaging. But who is the talent behind the performances, what are the challenges they face, and what skills do they possess to become accomplished in this field? To find out, we are joined by performance capture actor Noshir Dalal. Nosh, as he is known, has starred as Charles Smith in Red Dead Redemption 2, Kotallo from Horizon Forbidden West, and most recently Bode Akuna from the Star Wars...

How will A.I. affect the entertainment business, and what is SAG-AFTRA doing to defend its members? SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland tackled those crucial topics and more in a recent panel discussion at SXSW. In this episode, we listen to portions of a live fireside chat between Duncan and Fast Company Editor-in-Chief Brendan Vaughan. **The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or...

The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards occurred at the Shrine Auditorium in LA  on February 24, streaming live globally on Netflix for the first time. The night was filled with surprises, laughs, tears, and some truly historic firsts. Executive Producer Jon Brockett, Director Alex Rudzinski, and Head Writer Matt Roberts join the podcast to walk us through the highlights and give us the scoop on some memorable moments. **The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of...

Several states have introduced legislation to curb unauthorized and abusive uses of AI, and both the House and Senate have introduced legislation to strengthen image and voice likeness protections. The No Fakes Act and the No AI Fraud Act are bipartisan efforts to address, on a Federal level, the increasing threat of AI and digital clones to the rights of SAG-AFTRA members and other performers. In this episode, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and SAG-AFTRA...

What are the newest tech trends shaping 2024 and beyond, and what will be their impact, both good and bad, on the entertainment industry? Brian Comiskey, the Director of Thematic Programs and resident Futurist at the Consumer Technology Association, joins the show to tackle this important topic. Brian studies how the latest technology trends will shape tomorrow, covering a variety of sectors, including AI, cybersecurity, and robotics. From breakthroughs in gaming to diversity, here are his...

Earlier this month, SAG-AFTRA and its partners, the AFL-CIO and AFL-CIO Tech Institute, hosted the 5th Annual Labor Innovation & Technology Summit (LIT) in Las Vegas. The Summit brought together leaders from across the labor movement, entertainment sector, and technology space to discuss what innovation means for the future of workers. In this episode, we hear some powerful and thought-provoking moments from interviews and panel discussions. To listen to the entire day one of the LIT...

In this episode recorded last spring, we revisit our conversation with Sam Valentine, the host of the popular podcast “One Broke Actress.” Sam shares tips for working actors to create a healthy lifestyle that works for them financially, creatively, physically and mentally. The episode dives into life as an actor between jobs, auditions and acting classes. It also highlights the importance of planning for the future, adopting a good mindset, finding a community and other lessons that Sam...

Many SAG-AFTRA members have questions about AI provisions in the recently ratified 2023 TV/Theatrical Contract. To help clarify, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Contract Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, and SAG-AFTRA General Counsel Jeffrey Bennett recently hosted an Instagram Live in a spirited and informative conversation. This episode is a replay of the session. **The views expressed by the guests are their own, not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services...

Will AI take our jobs? Will we ever see decent residuals from a streaming service? Is the self-tape process going to get better for actors? These are just some of the hundreds of questions from SAG-AFTRA members about the tentative 2023 TV/Theatrical Contract. To help explain the new benefits and protections the 2023 contract offers, National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland is joined by Executive Vice President and Negotiating Committee Vice Chair Linda Powell...

SAG-AFTRA’s vibrant picket lines would not be possible without the tireless direction of our Strike Captains, who ensure that the daily activities run effectively, smoothly and safely. In this episode, we talk to captains from coast to coast about what they do, the inspiring sights they’ve seen, and what they’ve learned about the union and themselves during these intense days. **The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does...

SAG-AFTRA’s fight for a fair contract extends to all corners of the U.S., including all 25 locals who work under the terms of the TV/Theatrical agreement. In this episode, we talk to representatives from some of the small and mid-size locals to explore how the strike is affecting them. Guests include Gail Crouner,  a member of the SAG-AFTRA Dallas-Forth Worth local and the TV Theatrical Negotiating Committee; Jim Gleason, the New Orleans Local President; Andrea Lyman, the President of the...

Last month, SAG-AFTRA’s National Board voted unanimously to send a strike authorization vote to SAG-AFTRA members for their ongoing negotiations with signatory video game companies and the Interactive Media Agreement. Despite earning a staggering $19 billion in revenue in 2022, these video game companies refuse to pay the voice and performance capture artists a living wage or even offer these talented performers basic protections against the exploitive use of AI. In this panel discussion,...

In this episode, we take a closer look at the union’s Interim Agreement, which allows SAG-AFTRA members employed on certain independent productions to proceed without violating the strike order. The terms of the agreement match SAG-AFTRA’s last offer to the studios and streamers represented by the AMPTP. Our panel includes SAG-AFTRA President and chair of the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee Fran Drescher, Vice Chairs of the Negotiating Committee Linda Powell and Tom Kemp, and Negotiating...

On July 13th, the SAG-AFTRA national board voted unanimously to issue a strike order against the studios and streamers. This historic decision was made after the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) failed to reach a deal that adequately addressed the issues most important to the union's members. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Dresher joins hosts Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and Ben Whitehair to discuss how we got here, what the strike means for our members, and where we go from...

Actor and acting coach Michael D. Cohen shares his insights on the art of "specificity" for acting auditions and improving your performance. Michael talks about actor agenda vs. character agenda, knowing the character’s “dream of dreams,” and offers helpful tips for taped auditions. Michael’s talk is a replay of a live PTEOE presentation streamed live on the SAG-AFTRA YouTube channel last March. **The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of...

The acceleration of AI has become a hot and contentious topic for many in the entertainment industry. In this episode, we explore how SAG-AFTRA members can safely engage in this burgeoning technology and make sure they’re benefitting from its opportunities. Guests include members Crispin Freeman and Sarah Elmaleh, who have lent their voices to some of the most popular video games, and SAG-AFTRA executives Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and Ray Rodriquez. The conversation is a replay of a video panel...

Whether they’re just starting out or have been in the business for years, working actors must create a healthy lifestyle that works for them financially, creatively, physically and mentally. This episode dives into life as an actor between jobs, auditions and acting classes. Our guest is Sam Valentine, the host of the popular podcast “One Broke Actress,” where she shares real-world advice, tips and stories from people in and around the acting business. She talks about the importance of...

Late last year, SAG-AFTRA introduced two new podcast contracts that make it easy for producers to be flexible and creative in covering their podcasts at all budgets. Sue-Anne Morrow, National Director/Contract Strategic Initiatives & Podcasts at SAG-AFTRA, walks us through the details of these new agreements. She’s joined by Drew Rausch and Jason Silva, executive producers of the podcast Macaw, who share their firsthand experience with the contracts. **The views expressed by the guests...

On-air talent from KVEA/Telemundo52 in Los Angeles and WAMU in Washington DC joined forces with SAG-AFTRA to unionize their newsrooms. These stations’ incredible stories are part of a continuing trend of organizing efforts across the country. To walk us through the exciting yet sometimes tumultuous process, we’re joined by Dunia Elvir, a television journalist and producer who works as an anchor for TV station Telemundo52 in Los Angeles, and Jordan Pascale, transportation reporter for WAMU885....

The 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards took place in February, honoring the year's best television and film performances. The night was filled with surprises, laughs, tears and some historic firsts. To walk us through the highlights and give us the scoop on behind-the-scenes moments, we’re joined by the show’s executive producer Jon Brockett and writer Matt Roberts. **The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not...

What is the metaverse? Is it hype or the future? What will this virtual world mean for performers? These are some of the questions posed to our expert panel during a C-Space discussion at CES 2023. Panelists include content creators, performers, industry experts and contract professionals, who offer their unique perspective on this nascent technology.  **The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply SAG-AFTRA’s...

In January, SAG-AFTRA attended CES in Las Vegas, the largest tech show in the world. We had a chance to tour the show floors and got a closer look at the latest trends and innovations that might affect the entertainment industry. Sharing their thoughts on CES, we’re joined by three members of SAG-AFTRA’s National Innovation & New Technology Committee — Aubrey Mozino, Dileep Rao and Randal Berger. **The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of...

Live from the CES in Las Vegas, this episode features a thoughtful conversation with Emmy-nominated actor and director Paul Feig and Co-President of Feigco Entertainment Laura Fischer. The two discuss their latest foray into interactive advertainment, their work championing diversity in Hollywood, and Paul’s lifelong relationship with Las Vegas. **The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply SAG-AFTRA’s endorsement.