Industry Supports Johansson in AI Voice Scandal, Pixar Reduces Staff by 14% and Ad Tiers Dominate Upfronts

Plus: Annenberg picks 11 filmmakers for diversity program, Israel shuts down AP's Gaza feed and Comcast sets $15 price for bundle with Netflix, Peacock and Apple TV+ [Mark Ruffalo, Scarlet Johansson and Justine Bateman (Getty Images, Taylor Hill/WireImage)]( [Scarlett Johansson Gets Support From SAG-AFTRA and Actors Over OpenAI Voice Scandal: 'Just the Beginning']( By Raquel ‘Rocky’ Harris SAG-AFTRA and more of Hollywood are standing behind Scarlett Johansson after she called out ChatGPT for allegedly cloning her voice for its “Sky” feature. On Monday, the “Her” actress issued a statement saying she declined OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s request to use her voice when initially approached — however, they allegedly used it anyway. She has since hired legal representatives to sort out the matter. OpenAI denied the accusation, saying, “Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress,” though they agreed to take the demo down. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Inside Out 2]( [Pixar Layoffs to Reduce Staff by 14% as Disney Spending Cuts Continue]( By Adam Chitwood Layoffs got underway at Disney’s Pixar Animation Studio on Tuesday, with 14% of the workforce cut, TheWrap has confirmed. That amounts to around 175 employees who are leaving the company as part of Disney’s spending cuts. Prior to the reduction, roughly 1,300 people worked at the animation studio. The layoffs have been expected since January as part of Disney’s overall cuts, but were delayed at Pixar due to production timelines on “Inside Out 2,” “Elio” and an as-yet-unannounced Disney+ short-form series. Still, this marks the biggest staff reduction in Pixar’s history. Top leadership was not impacted by the cuts. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Upfronts 2024 artwork]( [Ad-Supported Streaming Took a Huge Victory Lap at TV Upfronts 2024]( By Lucas Manfredi and Kayla Cobb Some 18 months after major streamers Netflix and Disney+ launched ad tiers to boost revenues the experiment is clearly paying off — and is helping to accelerate the pivot for viewers away from traditional linear television. That was the message that streaming executives conveyed to advertisers last week at the annual television upfronts in New York City. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Dr. Stacy L. Smith]( [USC Annenberg Names 11 Filmmakers for Inaugural 'Proof of Concept' Diversity Program]( [The AP logo]( [Israeli Government Shuts Down AP Live Feed From Gaza, Seizes Equipment as New Media Law Takes Effect]( [Comcast Sets $15 Price for Netflix, Peacock and Apple TV+ Bundle]( [Matthew Perry speaks onstage as part of the CBS/Showtime 2015 Winter Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena]( [Source of Ketamine in Matthew Perry's System Under Investigation by LAPD, DEA and US Postal Inspector]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Wrap Pro logo] Discover why entertainment executives and professionals rely on the WrapPRO platform daily for exclusive coverage, analysis, deeper reporting, and access to VIP events & screenings throughout the year. [Subscribe Today]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( TheWrap | 2034 Armacost Ave Los Angeles, CA 90025 [Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [LiveIntent Logo]( [AdChoices Logo](