🔦 Spotlight
Happy Friday Los Angeles! And an EXTRA happy Friday to Russell Palmer at CyberFilm AI for referring new subscribers to dot.la.
Unless you are Patrick Star and have been living under a rock for the past week, you are aware that the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Hollywood studios have reached a tentative agreement. As this is a tech newsletter, we will concentrate on two key deal points: streaming topics and artificial intelligence protections, although it's important to note that the main deal points also encompass minimum staffing requirements and pay increases. ✍️🎬🌟
Following a 148-day strike, Hollywood writers are returning to work as the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announces a tentative agreement with studios and streamers. The agreement, which is likely to be ratified by the WGA's 11,500 members, marks a significant moment in the industry's history. Here are the key provisions related to streaming and artificial intelligence (AI):
Streaming Provisions:
- Streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ will provide transparency by sharing viewership data, both domestically and internationally, for original streaming series with the WGA.
- New bonus structures for made-for-streaming shows and movies based on viewership.
AI-related Provisions:
- The agreement clarifies that AI cannot write or rewrite scripts, maintaining the creative role of human writers.
- Writers have the option to use AI with company approval, but companies cannot mandate its use.
- Studios retain the ability to train AI using scripts, but writers have the right to challenge this use in the future.
So what does this all mean…
The far-reaching implications of the deal for AI and streaming are significant and have the potential to reshape the entertainment industry:
- Increased Transparency in Streaming: The requirement for streaming platforms to provide viewership data for original content brings greater transparency to the industry.
- Incentivizing Content with Mass Appeal: The provision for bonuses based on viewership performance incentivizes the creation of content for the masses.
- Protection of Creative Control: The stipulation that AI cannot write or rewrite scripts and that writers have the choice to use AI with company approval preserves the creative control of human writers.
- Balanced Use of AI: By allowing writers the option to use AI but not requiring its use, the agreement strikes a balance between harnessing AI's potential for efficiency and creativity while respecting writers' autonomy.
- Future AI Challenges: The provision that allows writers to challenge the use of AI in the future implies that the role of AI in content creation remains an evolving and debatable issue.
- Impact on Industry Standards: This deal sets industry standards for how AI and streaming are integrated into content creation and distribution. This is particularly relevant to the actors union, SAG-AFTRA, which remains on strike and recently authorized a strike against the video game industry.
These provisions reflect the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry, providing writers with greater control over their work and more transparency in the age of streaming and artificial intelligence. 🎭📜📺
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🤝 Venture Deals
LA Startups
- Crediverso, the Spanish and English language consumer technology company dedicated to providing financial and educational resources to underserved communities, raised a $3.5M Seed Round led by Torch Capital and Gaingels, joined by Bessemer Venture Partners and Act One Ventures. - learn more
- Arc, the electric boat startup, raised a $70M Series B from a slew of investors, including Eclipse, Andreessen Horowitz, Lowercarbon Capital, Abstract Ventures and Menlo Ventures.- learn more
- Sensible Weather, a climate finance platform raised an undisclosed amount from Amex Ventures, Wonder Ventures, Infinity Ventures and Industry Ventures. - learn more
LA Funds
- Tech Coast Angels participated in a Seed Round of an undisclosed amount for Giftpack, an AI-powered corporate gifting platform. - learn more
- M13 participated in a $10M Funding Round for Allocate, a platform that provides investors with a streamlined way to invest and manage private investments. - learn more
- Griffin Gaming Partners and Courtside Ventures led a $22M Funding Round for Eloelo, an Indian gaming and livestreaming platform. - learn more
📅 LA Tech Calendar
Monday, October 2nd
- Crypto Mondays & Santa Monica Blockchain Week Kickoff - Kick off the inaugural Santa Monica Blockchain Week with this special Crypto Mondays X Outer Edge LA X LA Tech Happy Hour, presented by Startup Coil & Edge of Company and hosted at Expert Dojo.
Tuesday, October 3rd
- Alex Tapscott’s: Web3 North American Book Tour - Be part of the unveiling of Alex Tapscott’s latest release, Web3: Charting the Internet’s Next Economic and Cultural Frontier at Expert Dojo in Santa Monica Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday, October 4th
- The MedTech Conference Kick-Off Mixer - Engage with industry pioneers, discover cutting-edge technologies, forge valuable connections with LA MedTech leaders, LA investment leaders, LA academic leaders and more in Culver City Wednesday night.
Friday, October 6th
- Production Summit First Fridays with Monolith and Global Objects - Join the Production Summit community Friday night to hear about the newest developments and trends in production over top-tier hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.
🗽 - Free
🌍 Around The Internet
USC Students and Alumni Blend Tech and Wine for Humanitarian Impact with Raise a Glass
Founded by USC students and alumni, Raise A Glass is creating wine with a purpose. They bring innovative storytelling technology to raise awareness for the invisible heroes of global crises. Their mission starts in Ukraine addressing the fact that Americans have become increasingly desensitized to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They pair tales of Ukrainian civilian heroism with wine bottles, curating content from conflict-embedded artists to provide a platform for these stories to reach thousands of consumers. Through QR codes or augmented reality on labels, consumers access these impactful narratives, with proceeds aiding Ukrainians in escaping conflict zones.
Ukraine serves as just the outset, as they plan to employ their storytelling technology to shed light on global crises, amplifying the voices of these unsung heroes.
📙 What We’re Reading
- Universal Hydrogen kicks off flight test campaign for Its hydrogen regional aircraft at the Mojave Air & Space Port. - read more
- Waymo begins testing the waters for a robotaxi service in Los Angeles. - read more
- Social networking club Groundfloor aims to connect professionals at first L.A. location - read more
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