Actors and Crew Voice Concerns Over AI-Driven Neighbours Reedit
“It’s like cutting up a Picasso and rebuilding it,” said sound recordist Bruce Findlay, who has worked on Neighbours since its debut. The Australian soap opera, which concluded its run last year, is now at the center of a controversy over plans to use AI to repackage decades of footage into short-form vertical videos. Fremantle, the show’s producer, and U.S.-based RoseBerry Media announced the project, which will scan over 9,300 episodes to create “micro-dramas” for mobile viewers, according to reports from the BBC
.
Former cast members raise concerns over old contracts
Several former cast and crew members, including Matt Werkmeister and Sam Clark, have raised concerns about the lack of consent for their likenesses or work to be repurposed. Werkmeister, who played Zeke Kinski from 2005 to 2011, noted that streaming platforms did not exist when he signed his contract. “I’m unsure of what my rights are,” he said, adding that he has not been approached by the companies involved. Clark, who portrayed Ringo Brown, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that “AI and social media weren’t part of the equation when I signed my contract.”
Fremantle says AI tool uses original broadcast footage
Fremantle and RoseBerry Media stated that the AI tool will not generate new scenes or alter actors’ likenesses. “It uses original, previously broadcast footage and performances, with human editors reviewing every stage,” a Fremantle spokesman said. However, the project has sparked debate over contractual agreements. The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) called for consultations with workers, stating, “Workers should be consulted before their likeness or expertise is used in ways they could not have envisioned.”
Industry experts debate creative integrity and crew residuals
While some view the project as a way to revive the show’s legacy, others see it as a risk to creative integrity. Bruce Findlay, a veteran sound recordist, criticized the approach, saying it “belittles the process” of producing the original content. Guy Hameiri of RoseBerry Media defended the initiative, calling it a “premium vertical television” experiment. However, questions remain about how residuals and legal frameworks will apply to crew members, who are not included in the discussions about ongoing payments for actors and writers.
What’s Next for the Project?
Fremantle is in talks with two unions, but the timeline for resolution is unclear. The companies have not yet addressed concerns about the use of actors’ voices or the potential for new storylines. Margot Robbie, whose character was a focal point of the project, has not publicly commented. The BBC has reached out to her agency for a response.
How many episodes exist and who is involved?
How many episodes of Neighbours exist?
The project will analyze over 9,300 episodes of the show, according to RoseBerry Media.
Which unions are involved in the discussions?
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) confirmed talks with Fremantle, though specifics about the negotiations remain undisclosed.
Will actors receive compensation for this use of their work?
Residuals for actors and writers are being discussed, but crew members are not included in these arrangements, per the BBC.