MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2023 North Bay Business Journal 21

STRIKE
continued from page 5

unfair,” Freeman said, adding the art-

form is jeopardized.
When asked what happens once
computer art dominates, the longtime
designer and art director provided a
stark collective glimpse of the creative
world in our society: “Then, we’ll have a
lobotomy.”
The Alliance of Motion Picture and
Television Producers, which declined
to provide comment for this article,
countered in the Times that AI-generat-
ed copy, for example, “isn’t eligible to get
writing credit.”
Indeed, the growing prominence of
AI prompted the U.S. Copyright Office
last March to upgrade its guidelines
for writing credits. In the office’s view,
copyright can only protect material
“that is the product of human creativi-
ty,” the Washington, D.C.-based agency
published in its report.
“What we’re seeing now is something
that looks like human thinking. Is
AI ‘creating’ a document or slavishly
following algorithms? This is a big
philosophical discussion now, and we’re
rightly concerned to get into it,” said
Craig Stainbrook, a Santa Rosa attor-
ney who covers intellectual property
law.

AI CAUSES INDUSTRY BACK-FLIPS CHRISTOPHER CHUNG / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

As an actor and stuntman, Rocky Ca-
pella, 68, said he believes the studios are
seeing green in terms of money saved.
“This is really something that needs to
be addressed. It’s not ethical. They have
the ability to put a face on a different
body. And it’s all about the money.
You have a top studio exec making $31
million and the average SAG member
making $26,000,” he said.
A longtime SAG member himself, Ca-
pella said the wait for the strike to end is
worth it based on principles. The Neva-
da City actor, who has been involved in
about 700 projects, has turned to making
auto commercials during the strike.
SHEDDING LIGHT ACROSS BAY AREA
Equipment rental companies are also
taking a hit while feature film studios
are shuttered.
DTC Lighting and Grip in Emeryville,
which employs a dozen people, was
forced to lay off one worker while the
others were furloughed, working only
part of the week.
“The shutdowns have definitely
impacted us. We’re way slower than nor-
mal,” DTC General Manager Corinne
O’Sullivan said. “Movies have grinded to
a halt.”
O’Sullivan said the 35-year-old com-
pany has turned its attention to theater
Production designer and art director Doug Freeman, owner of Jet Sets Visual Production Services, has had three jobs called off due to the ongoing actors
and writers strike. Freeman, a Screen Actors Guild member, says he’ll support the strike for however long it continues.
and special events.
“From our perspective, we’d love to
see the two sides come to an agreement.
But we’re in the trenches in respect
to the writers and actors getting what
they want. It’s unfortunate it’s come to
this,” she said in support of the striking
unions.
Studio developer Mark Walter with
Cinelease on Mare Island in Solano
Actors Cinelease is an industry supplier of
Sebastian equipment and leasing space that was
Roche, from formed in 1977 by its parent company,
left, Meagan
Holder and Herc Rentals, with headquarters in
Alicia Hannah- Bonita Springs, Florida.
Kim picket Walter knows all about making
July 17 outside concessions to survive economic chal-
Paramount
Studios in Los lenges. When the pandemic hit and the
Angeles. Actors shutdowns ensued, the entertainment
and screen- division of the heavy equipment rental
writers are firm turned its attention to leasing
striking in a bid
for better pay forklifts and other heavy equipment to
and working Factory_OS, a Mare Island neighbor
conditions making prefabricated homes.
and have clear
guidelines
He said this strike has more impact.
around the use “This one is much more different,
of AI. with more at stake, especially with the
AI issue,” he said.
JORDAN STRAUSS
INVISION It is, according to Forbes, the first time
in 63 years that both SAG-AFTRA and
County says many auxiliary film the WGA are simultaneously on strike.
industry businesses are struggling. He The cost of this strike could exceed $3
listed businesses ranging from caterers billion.
and restaurants to forklift operators and
tool providers as having a stake in the Susan Wood covers law,
standoff. cannabis, production, tech,
“It’s devastating on the equipment energy, transportation, ag-
rental side. There are a lot of concerns,” riculture as well as banking
Walter said, adding he’s thankful his and finance. Reach her at 530-545-8662 or
work involves planning ahead. susan.wood@busjrnl.com