● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 negative
AI Recuts "Neighbours" into Mobile Microdrama, Actors Express Concerns Over Consent and Residuals
Key points
- RoseBerry Media recuts "Neighbours" into vertical microdramas using AI.
- Initial microdrama focuses on Margot Robbie's character, Donna Freedman.
- Actors express concerns over AI use, consent, and residuals for repurposed content.
- The project sparks debate on mining television archives for new content.
AI Repurposes "Neighbours" for Mobile
RoseBerry Media, a company specializing in "vertical television" for mobile devices, is utilizing an AI-assisted production tool called RedSnapper to recut episodes of the long-running Australian soap opera "Neighbours." The repurposed content will be distributed on RoseBerry Media's Epis platform as microdramas.
The initial focus of this project is on storylines featuring Margot Robbie's character, Donna Freedman, from her tenure on the show between 2008 and 2011. Two of Robbie's storylines will be edited into vertical micro-episodes, creating approximately 150 minutes of new content.
Actor Concerns Over Consent and Compensation
The project has drawn criticism from former "Neighbours" cast members. Stefan Dennis, a long-time star of the show, described the initiative as "unbelievably invasive, morally and legally wrong." He indicated that his agent, along with the MEAA and Australian Writers' Guild, are investigating the matter.
Matthew Werkmeister, who played Zeke Kinski, also expressed significant concern, stating he learned about the deal only when approached for comment. Werkmeister highlighted that he did not consent to his image being used through AI on a platform that did not exist when he signed his original contracts at age 13. He also noted a lack of notification from producer Fremantle or RoseBerry Media regarding residuals for actors in the vertical series.
Industry Debate on Archival Content and AI
This development has ignited a debate within the entertainment industry regarding the implications of using AI to mine television archives for new content. Actors' concerns center on issues of consent for new uses of their likenesses and the payment of residuals for content repurposed in formats not envisioned during original contract negotiations.
Werkmeister dismissed claims that the vertical format would introduce the classic soap to younger audiences, characterizing the venture as a "money grab for Fremantle" to monetize its existing library.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
RoseBerry Media is using AI to recut the Australian soap opera "Neighbours" into vertical microdramas for its Epis platform, initially focusing on Margot Robbie's character. This initiative has raised concerns among former cast members like Stefan Dennis and Matthew Werkmeister regarding consent for AI usage of their likenesses and potential lack of residuals, highlighting a broader industry debate on repurposing archived content.