Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling are shedding light on the importance of recognizing the unsung heroes behind the scenes in the film industry as artificial intelligence continues to make its mark. Their latest project, 'The Fall Guy,' centers around a stuntman, portrayed by Gosling, who becomes entangled in a covert mission while working on a movie directed by Blunt's character.
In a recent interview, Gosling highlighted the relevance of their film, which heavily features practical stunts, despite being filmed prior to the industry strikes. The actor shared an anecdote about a prop master's attention to detail in repairing a mug for his character, underscoring the significance of every individual working behind the scenes.
Gosling emphasized the importance of honoring the hardworking crew members who are often overlooked, stating that they are the backbone of the industry and should not be held responsible if a film fails to meet expectations.
The conversation around artificial intelligence in filmmaking was further fueled by a viral email from the BBC discussing the use of AI to replace human actors, a development that left Blunt expressing concerns about the impact on jobs and the art of cinema.
Artificial intelligence played a pivotal role in the negotiations during last year's writers' and actors' strikes, which brought Hollywood to a standstill for several months. Stunt performer Freddy Bouciegues, known for his work with A-list stars, emphasized the need for fair compensation for performers whose digital replicas are used in projects.
Following extensive negotiations, SAG-AFTRA, the actors' guild, concluded its strike in November, with the new contract stipulating that performers must provide explicit consent before their digital likenesses are replicated, and they must be compensated for the time they would have spent working in person.
