The digital resurrection of Margaret Thatcher: Creative, technological and legal dilemmas in the use of deepfakes in screen drama. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lees, Dominic; Bashford-Rogers, Tom; Keppel-Palmer, Marcus
• Is Part Of: Convergence. Volume 27:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 954
• Page End: 973
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence -- deepfakes -- digital imaging -- film practice -- machine learning -- post mortem rights -- practice research -- defamation law; Mass media -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Telecommunication -- Periodicals; Mass media and technology -- Periodicals; 621.3897
• DOI: 10.1177/13548565211030452
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-8565

Abstract

This article develops from the findings of an interdisciplinary research project that has linked film practice research with computer science and law, in an exercise that seeks to digitally resurrect Margaret Thatcher to play herself in a contemporary film drama. The article highlights the imminent spread of machine learning techniques for digital face replacement across fiction content production, with central research questions concerning the ethical and legal issues that arise from the appropriation of the facial image of a deceased person for use in drama.