News/Animation
Nvidia enhances digital humans with new plugins for Unreal Engine 5
Nvidia enhances digital human realism with new Unreal Engine 5 plugins: Nvidia has released a suite of tools and plugins aimed at improving the creation and deployment of AI-powered digital human characters within Unreal Engine 5, marking a significant advancement in game development and interactive applications. Key features and improvements: Nvidia introduced on-device plugins for Nvidia Ace, a suite of digital human technologies, to facilitate easier development of AI-powered MetaHuman characters on Windows PCs. The company unveiled an Audio2Face-3D plugin for Autodesk Maya, enabling AI-powered facial animations that synchronize lips and facial movements with audio speech. A new Unreal Engine...
read Sep 12, 2024Sony to Invest Billions into Original Content with Keen Eye on Anime and AI
Sony's strategic shift towards animation content: The Japanese tech giant is redirecting billions into producing original content, with a significant focus on animated content, particularly anime. Sony's chief financial officer Hiroki Totoki acknowledges the company's lack of fostered IP from the beginning stages, which is seen as a critical issue. The company aims to leverage its Crunchyroll streaming service and PlayStation Network to expand its presence in the animation market. Despite Sony's roots in consumer electronics, approximately 60% of its annual revenue now comes from games, films, and music. Crunchyroll's ambitious growth plans: Sony's anime streaming service Crunchyroll currently releases...
read Sep 9, 2024Oscar-Nominated XTR Acquires AI Animation Studio
AI-powered animation studio acquisition: XTR, an Oscar-nominated film and television studio, has acquired Late Night Labs, an AI film and animation studio, marking a significant development in the integration of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry. XTR is launching a new holding company, Asteria Film Co., which will focus on producing animation, fiction, and non-fiction content for film and television. Asteria Film Co. will also house XTR's streaming platform and Fast channel Documentary+. The new company is named after the Greek goddess of constellations and was co-founded by filmmaker and entrepreneur Bryn Mooser. Technological innovation in filmmaking: Late Night Labs...
read Aug 12, 2024AI Sparks Job Fears Among Animators as Union Negotiations Begin
AI's impact on animation industry sparks concerns: The Animation Guild is initiating negotiations with major studios regarding the use of artificial intelligence in animation, as many professionals in the field express worries about potential job displacement. Mike Rianda, director of "The Mitchells vs. the Machines," has emerged as a vocal advocate for protecting animation jobs from AI replacement. Recent statements by some studio executives have suggested that AI could significantly reduce the animation workforce, fueling anxieties within the industry. A rally in Burbank saw animation workers gathering to protest the potential impact of AI on their livelihoods, highlighting the growing...
read Jul 8, 2024Toonstar Offers Glimpse Into Future of AI-Powered Animation
Toonstar, a Los Angeles-based animation studio, is leveraging AI technologies to revolutionize the animation industry, enabling more efficient production processes and empowering a new generation of creators to bring their stories to life. AI-powered animation pipeline: Toonstar employs AI at various stages of the animation process, from pre-visualization to post-production, reducing time and costs associated with producing high-quality animated content: The studio has developed AI engines that tailor visual styles and animation techniques to each project, allowing for faster and more affordable production. By using AI for parts of the animation process, Toonstar aims to get more projects to market,...
read Jun 10, 2024Animators are debating AI technology
Driving The News: The Annecy Festival will screen four works using AI after receiving dozens of submissions that utilized the technology. This has sparked discussions within the animation community about the impact of AI on jobs, artistry, and workflow. Why it matters: The increasing use of AI in animation is causing fear and uncertainty among professionals in the industry. Some worry that AI will make certain jobs obsolete, while others see it as a tool to enhance productivity. The debate surrounding AI's impact on copyright, creation, and overall use is ongoing as the technology continues to evolve. Big Idea: Industry...
read