From Fiction to Reality: Director Mike Rianda Takes a Stand Against AI
by Tanya Kalinina | Aug 16, 2024 3:21 PM
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Mike Rianda’s Real-Life AI Battle
Mike Rianda’s 2021 animated feature, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, told the story of a family resisting an AI uprising orchestrated by Silicon Valley tech. The critically acclaimed film became Netflix’s most-watched animated movie at the time, with its themes growing increasingly relevant as AI looms over the animation industry.
“It’s ironic,” Rianda reflects. “Now we have to do that for real. Now we’re the ragtag group that has to fight back against AI.”
Rianda and his peers, represented by the Animation Guild (TAG), are negotiating with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for stronger protections against AI’s encroachment. TAG’s efforts come amidst growing concern that AI will replace artists, storyboarders, writers, and other professionals. Studios like Disney, Netflix, and DreamWorks have signaled their intention to integrate AI into their workflows, sparking anxiety among animators.
“It’s ironic,” Rianda reflects. “Now we have to do that for real. Now we’re the ragtag group that has to fight back against AI.”
Rianda and his peers, represented by the Animation Guild (TAG), are negotiating with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for stronger protections against AI’s encroachment. TAG’s efforts come amidst growing concern that AI will replace artists, storyboarders, writers, and other professionals. Studios like Disney, Netflix, and DreamWorks have signaled their intention to integrate AI into their workflows, sparking anxiety among animators.
Studios Embrace AI, Animators Fight Back
DreamWorks cofounder Jeffrey Katzenberg predicted that AI could eliminate 90% of the jobs involved in animated filmmaking within a few years, slashing production costs and timelines. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos praised AI as a powerful tool for storytelling, while the company faced backlash for using AI-generated background art in an anime short and allegedly integrating AI images in other productions.
Animators argue that AI threatens their livelihoods at every stage of production. Julia Prescott, a screenwriter for Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, highlights animation’s vulnerability, noting studios’ access to extensive image libraries and data for training AI models. “If we don’t gain strong collective protections around the use of AI, we risk losing it all,” warns storyboard artist and writer Nora Meek.
Animators argue that AI threatens their livelihoods at every stage of production. Julia Prescott, a screenwriter for Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, highlights animation’s vulnerability, noting studios’ access to extensive image libraries and data for training AI models. “If we don’t gain strong collective protections around the use of AI, we risk losing it all,” warns storyboard artist and writer Nora Meek.
Animation’s Value and Vulnerability
Despite AI’s encroachment, animated films have proven their worth in Hollywood. In 2024, major animated hits like Inside Out 2 and Despicable Me 4 grossed billions, outperforming many live-action releases. Yet, animators remain underpaid and overworked, facing growing threats from AI-driven automation.
Rianda recalls witnessing pay disparities firsthand during his time at Sony, where he saw executives earning millions while he made a fraction of their salaries. This inequity has fueled his fight against AI, which he views as an existential threat to the creative workforce. “If people aren’t educated about what could happen, the worst thing is going to happen,” he warns.
Rianda recalls witnessing pay disparities firsthand during his time at Sony, where he saw executives earning millions while he made a fraction of their salaries. This inequity has fueled his fight against AI, which he views as an existential threat to the creative workforce. “If people aren’t educated about what could happen, the worst thing is going to happen,” he warns.
The Animation Guild’s Fight Against AI
TAG has prioritized analyzing AI’s impact on the industry, forming a task force and collaborating with experts to assess its implications. The guild’s efforts mirror the struggles of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), which also grappled with AI during recent strikes.
Rianda has emerged as a leading voice in TAG’s campaign, advocating for protections that prevent studios from replacing artists with AI. His Twitter posts and public proclamations emphasize the need for collective action. “Studios cannot replace a SINGLE artist with AI. Period,” he insists.
Rianda has emerged as a leading voice in TAG’s campaign, advocating for protections that prevent studios from replacing artists with AI. His Twitter posts and public proclamations emphasize the need for collective action. “Studios cannot replace a SINGLE artist with AI. Period,” he insists.
A Rallying Cry for Animation Workers
TAG’s Stand With Animation rally in Burbank attracted hundreds of animation workers, who carried signs with slogans like “AI Can’t Replace Artists” and “Leave Animation to the Humans.” Speakers included industry legends like Rebecca Sugar and Genndy Tartakovsky, as well as politicians and union leaders. Rianda emceed the event, delivering impassioned speeches and leading chants against AI’s encroachment.
The rally’s attendees expressed deep frustration with AI’s role in their industry. Animators booed at the mention of AI and carried signs referencing Hayao Miyazaki’s declaration that using AI in the arts is “an insult to life itself.” Rianda described the gathering as the largest rally in animation history, uniting a community determined to protect its craft.
The rally’s attendees expressed deep frustration with AI’s role in their industry. Animators booed at the mention of AI and carried signs referencing Hayao Miyazaki’s declaration that using AI in the arts is “an insult to life itself.” Rianda described the gathering as the largest rally in animation history, uniting a community determined to protect its craft.
A Call for Ethical AI Use
For Rianda and many others, the problem isn’t AI itself but how corporations wield it. “The concept of AI is great: Use it to solve climate change and fix cancer,” Rianda says. “But in the hands of a corporation, it is like a buzzsaw that will destroy us all.”
As the animation industry grapples with the challenges of automation, Rianda and his colleagues remain steadfast in their fight to ensure AI is used responsibly, not as a tool to undermine creativity and eliminate jobs. For them, this is more than a professional battle—it’s a fight for the soul of their industry.
As the animation industry grapples with the challenges of automation, Rianda and his colleagues remain steadfast in their fight to ensure AI is used responsibly, not as a tool to undermine creativity and eliminate jobs. For them, this is more than a professional battle—it’s a fight for the soul of their industry.