53 Messages
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1.3K Points
Complaints about the Speech Synthetic/AI Cast "Digital Performer (Various)".
Three months ago, I asked in the community forum whether text-to-speech/speech synthesis casts like Microsoft SAM, Software Automatic Mouth (SAM), MacinTalk, etc., should be added to IMDb, as some titles had used one of these. I received a response and they added a new cast called "Digital Performer (Various)," which I think is a good idea and better for those who used they titles (Movies, series, games, etc.) a speech synthesis/text to speech voices program. This way, they can add the cast without having to constantly create a new cast entry with the name of the speech synthesis program (unless you can add it to the "as" attribute).
What really bothers me, and what I keep doing with contributors but only get declined for, is that they only have to add them to the "Self" category instead of the "Cast" category.
I've repeatedly tried to add Digital Performer (Various) to a title like The Walten Files Season 1 Episode 1 under Cast/Self, since it includes a text-to-speech voice. However, I keep getting rejected under the "Other" category, even after submitting explanations and supporting evidence.

And furthermore, it's stupid that their roles are constantly referred to as "self," when it's supposed to be about their character role.

I also noticed that under the Digital Performer (Various) page, only a single title is listed, exclusively in the "Cast" category. I don't know how they managed to add it there, even though everything except the "Self" category was locked in the editing settings. In any case, this "Digital Performer (Various)" entry isn't working correctly.

Also, I found Microsoft Sam on IMDb, which I thought should be merged with "Digital Performer (Various)."
This isn't meant to sound offensive, but I really wanted to do my best and optimize some titles I know and want to support. My suggestion would have been to include the speech synthesis voice in the "Actors" category anyway, perhaps adding an attribute indicating that it's an AI voice and not the voice of a real person. However, if IMDb has a different idea, or wants to keep the "Digital Performers (Various)" page and only include the voice in the "Self" category, I respect that. In my opinion, though, the "Digital Performers (Various)" page isn't very user-friendly.






Maya
Employee
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7.6K Messages
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79.9K Points
26 days ago
Hi Ravendark-
Thank you for the feedback and for providing all the information! We have passed it along to the appropriate team for visibility (Ref Ticket #P364785353). We'll reply once we receive further information. Thank you for your patience.
Cheers!
(edited)
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