A Statement about Performance Capture and the Interactive Media Agreement

Performance capture IS SAG-AFTRA covered work. “Performers” in the agreement are defined as persons who speak, act, sing, or in any other manner perform whether on or off-camera. Members should report to the union any companies who refuse to properly cover this work on union games via this link. 

Video games are a multibillion dollar industry and those who bring them to life by providing captured performances deserve protections, just like those who work on any other form of entertainment media.
Performance capture — in which a computer records an actor’s movements – is commonly used to instill game characters with realistic motion and emotions. It is highly skilled performance work, and members need the coverage of our Interactive Media Agreement. This contract covers anything recorded during the course of production of an interactive project.

Without a union contract, you have no protections against AI and machine learning abuse, which are subjects that employers are required to negotiate over with the union. Without protections, once your data is captured in a performance capture session, your next job could potentially be your last.