UPDATE: The debut of AI-generated actor Tilly Norwood has ignited a firestorm of controversy in Hollywood, prompting urgent backlash from industry guilds and actors. Created by Dutch producer Eline Van der Velden, Norwood is touted as the next big thing, yet many in the film community are rallying against her rise.
The announcement comes just after Van der Velden revealed that several talent agents are interested in representing Tilly Norwood, the world’s first fully AI-generated character. This development was highlighted at the recent Zurich Film Festival, where Van der Velden promoted Norwood as a revolutionary advancement in acting. However, reactions have been overwhelmingly negative.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) issued a stern statement emphasizing that “creativity is, and should remain, human-centered.” They condemned Norwood, stating, “To be clear, ‘Tilly Norwood’ is not an actor; it’s a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers — without permission or compensation.” This sentiment has resonated deeply across the industry.
Actor Sean Astin, recently elected president of SAG-AFTRA, expressed his concerns, stating, “You’re made up of stuff that doesn’t belong to you,” while calling for recognition of human contributions in the acting realm. His words reflect a growing unease about the implications of AI in creative professions.
The backlash escalated when actress Natasha Lyonne publicly urged a boycott of any talent agency that would consider signing Norwood, labeling the entire idea as “deeply misguided & totally disturbed.” Lyonne is currently directing a film titled “Uncanny Valley,” which promises to utilize ethical AI practices alongside traditional filmmaking.
Despite the controversy, Van der Velden defended her creation, describing Tilly Norwood as a “piece of art” and not a replacement for human actors. She argued that the character aims to provoke conversation about creativity and innovation in art. However, many industry insiders remain skeptical, worrying that the rise of AI actors could undermine the emotional authenticity that human performances bring to the screen.
Discussions surrounding AI in film production have intensified, particularly following the lengthy strike by SAG-AFTRA that concluded in late 2023. This strike included significant negotiations on protections for actors’ likenesses and performances from AI exploitation. The ongoing debate was reignited when the Oscar-winning film “The Brutalist” revealed the use of AI for dialogue, further complicating the industry’s relationship with technology.
In light of these developments, the future of Tilly Norwood hangs in the balance. Many industry stakeholders are calling for immediate action to establish clear guidelines and protections against AI encroachment in the acting profession. The potential signing of Norwood by a talent agency could set a dangerous precedent, prompting fears of a broader shift towards AI dominance in Hollywood.
As this situation continues to unfold, all eyes remain on the actions of the major guilds and the response from the industry. The implications of AI-generated actors like Tilly Norwood are profound, and the conversation about creativity, ethics, and authenticity in entertainment is far from over. Expect further updates as more developments arise in this urgent matter.