News/Film
Why filmmaker Tim Burton thinks AI is ‘disturbing and scary’
AI concerns and creative legacy: Renowned director Tim Burton expresses apprehension about artificial intelligence while a new exhibition in London celebrates his extensive body of work and unique artistic vision. Burton describes AI as "disturbing and scary," noting that it gives him a "weird sort of scary feeling inside." The director's comments come as "The World of Tim Burton," a comprehensive exhibition featuring 600 pieces from his personal archive and film projects, opens at London's Design Museum. The exhibition has already broken advance ticket sale records for the museum, with 32,000 tickets sold before its opening. Artistic process and creative...
read Oct 17, 2024Inside Hollywood’s cautious approach to adopting AI
AI in Hollywood: A slow and cautious adoption: The entertainment industry's anticipated embrace of AI tools for film and television production has been slower than expected, with major studios hesitating to form partnerships with AI companies. Promised revolution meets industry skepticism: Early in 2024, AI companies like OpenAI approached Hollywood studios with ambitious promises of revolutionizing the production process, but the response has been cautious and measured. OpenAI and other AI firms sought access to footage and intellectual property to train their models, offering tools to make movie and TV production faster, easier, and more cost-effective. Despite the initial excitement,...
read Oct 13, 2024Documentary filmmaker vows to avoid using AI again after latest project
Innovative documentary brings Pharrell Williams' story to life with Lego: Morgan Neville's new documentary "Piece by Piece" offers a unique perspective on the career of music icon Pharrell Williams, utilizing Lego animation to tell the story of the prolific producer and artist. Unconventional production during unprecedented times: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated creative solutions for the documentary's production, leading to a blend of remote interviews and innovative storytelling techniques. Neville conducted interviews with Pharrell's collaborators, including Kendrick Lamar and Missy Elliott, remotely during lockdowns. The concept of using Lego animation originated from Pharrell himself during their initial meeting, requiring approval from...
read Oct 7, 2024New film explores the emotional complexities of artificial beings
AI-driven art explores robot emotions: Lawrence Lek, winner of the Frieze Artist award 2024, has created a thought-provoking film featuring an AI "carebot" therapist with its own emotional struggles. Lek's latest work, "Guanyin: Confessions of a Former Carebot," will be installed at the Frieze London fair, showcasing a gender-neutral AI character named after the Buddhist goddess of compassion. The film depicts the carebot moving through a desolate cityscape, revealing that insecurity is part of its programming and exploring the emotional complexities of artificial beings. Artist background and inspirations: Lek's diverse background and educational experiences have shaped his unique approach to...
read Sep 26, 20241,300 AI-produced movies showcase at SF gala — here’s how they were received
AI-Generated Films Take Center Stage: A groundbreaking gala event in San Francisco showcased short films created using artificial intelligence, marking a significant milestone in the intersection of technology and filmmaking. The Project Odyssey AI Film Gala, organized by Civitai, a platform for AI-generated art and tools, took place at the office of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. Over 100 attendees gathered to witness the screening of AI-generated short films, blending elements of a traditional film festival with the tech-focused atmosphere of Silicon Valley. The event featured a competition with more than 1,300 entries, each film required to be 4 minutes...
read Sep 26, 2024AI startup Runway may fund your next film if you use AI
AI startup Runway launches ambitious film fund: Runway, a generative AI company, is offering grants of up to $1 million to filmmakers who incorporate AI technology into their projects, marking a significant push to integrate artificial intelligence into mainstream filmmaking. The Hundred Film Fund aims to support the production of up to 100 short films and feature-length movies that utilize generative AI technology in storytelling. Grants will range from $5,000 to $1 million, with decisions on applications typically made within 14 days of submission. Runway is also offering up to $2 million in credits for filmmakers to use its gen-AI...
read Sep 23, 2024Lionsgate-Runway Deal is Raising Questions about the Future of Creative Jobs
AI partnership raises concerns for creative jobs: Lionsgate, the studio behind popular franchises like "John Wick" and "The Hunger Games," has entered into a significant partnership with AI firm Runway, granting access to its extensive movie and TV library to develop an exclusive AI model. Deal details and implications: Runway will use Lionsgate's content to create an AI model capable of generating "cinematic video" Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns expects the technology to save the company "millions and millions of dollars" The partnership aims to use AI for tasks traditionally performed by humans, such as storyboarding and visual effects creation...
read Sep 18, 2024Lionsgate Runway Deal Is a Test of Hollywood’s Relationship With AI
AI enters Hollywood's mainstream: Lionsgate, the studio behind major franchises like John Wick and The Hunger Games, has partnered with AI startup Runway to create a custom AI tool for film and TV production. The partnership grants Runway access to Lionsgate's archives to develop an AI model for pre- and post-production work, potentially revolutionizing aspects of the filmmaking process. This move marks a significant step in the integration of AI technology into mainstream Hollywood production, potentially setting a precedent for other studios to follow. The tool aims to assist filmmakers, directors, and creative talent in augmenting their work and generating...
read Sep 18, 2024Lionsgate Teams Up With Runway On Custom AI Video Generation Model
AI Enters Hollywood: Lionsgate, the studio behind major franchises like John Wick and The Hunger Games, has partnered with AI startup Runway to create a custom video generation model using the studio's vast library of films and TV shows. The partnership aims to develop AI tools that can assist filmmakers, directors, and other creatives in augmenting their work throughout the production process. Lionsgate's vice chair Michael Burns views this collaboration as a way to create "capital-efficient content creation opportunities" for the studio. Several Lionsgate filmmakers have reportedly expressed excitement about the potential applications of this AI technology in pre-production and...
read Sep 14, 2024How AI Could Change Filmmaking for the Better
AI Film Festival showcases innovative use of technology in cinema: Reply AI's recent AI Film Festival, held in conjunction with the 81st Venice Film Festival, highlighted the creative potential of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. The festival's theme, "synthetic voices, human hearts," emphasized the integration of AI technologies in all submitted films. Winners included Gisele Tong's animated short "To Dear Me," Egor Kharlamov's "One Way," and Mansha Totla's AI-created WWII documentary "Jinx." AI as a transformative tool in filmmaking: Filippo Rizzante, CTO of Reply AI, envisions AI as an augmentative force in the film industry rather than a replacement for human...
read Sep 10, 2024New Film ‘Mothernet’ Explores How AI Influences Emotional Healing
AI-driven family drama explores human-technology relationships: "Mothernet," a new film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ho Wi Ding, delves into the complex interplay between artificial intelligence and human emotions in a near-future Indonesia. Plot and setting: The story centers around 16-year-old Rama as he navigates life after his mother falls into a coma following a tragic accident. An AI program becomes instrumental in helping Rama and his father reconnect and heal from their loss. The film is set in Indonesia's near future, blending real-world locations with virtual production techniques. Star-studded cast and production: "Mothernet" brings together established talent and rising stars...
read Sep 9, 2024James Earl Jones’ Passing Marks Milestone for Debate about AI-Generated Voices
Iconic voice preserved through AI: James Earl Jones, who passed away at 93 on Monday, had given Lucasfilm permission to recreate his legendary Darth Vader voice using artificial intelligence. Jones, known for voicing Darth Vader in numerous Star Wars properties, expressed interest in concluding his role as the Sith Lord after providing lines for "The Rise of Skywalker." Lucasfilm partnered with Ukrainian company Respeecher to create an AI-generated version of Jones' Vader voice, based on his past performances. The AI-generated voice was used in the "Obi-Wan Kenobi" series, with Jones' approval to use his archive for training the speech model....
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 Sep 3, 2024Hollywood Professionals Embrace AI to Future-Proof Careers
AI's growing impact on Hollywood: The entertainment industry is witnessing a significant shift as workers across various roles embrace artificial intelligence technology, driven by both creative curiosity and job security concerns. Cinematographers, editors, costume designers, and voice actors are among the professionals exploring AI tools to enhance their work and safeguard their positions in an evolving industry. Online courses offered by companies like Curious Refuge are seeing increased enrollment from Hollywood professionals eager to acquire AI skills. The motivations behind this AI adoption range from enthusiasm about its creative potential to a defensive strategy against potential job displacement. Practical applications...
read Sep 3, 2024AI Video Creation Advances but Faces Hurdles in Olympic Demo
Futuristic Olympics video showcases AI's potential and limitations: A recent AI-generated video depicting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics demonstrates both the capabilities and shortcomings of current generative video technology. Filmmaker Josh Kahn used Runway, an AI video generation tool, to create a one-minute video imagining the Olympics in Los Angeles in the year 3028. The video features futuristic cityscapes, including a football stadium atop a skyscraper and a beach volleyball dome in the harbor, showcasing the creative possibilities of AI-generated content. https://youtu.be/nTaTC6AgKeI?si=dY8InFgrWeHm-RdS The state of generative AI video: While the technology shows promise for quick and cost-effective content creation, it...
read Aug 28, 2024California Senate Passes Landmark AI Protection Bill for Performers
California Senate approves landmark AI protection bill: The California Senate has passed AB 2602, a bill designed to safeguard performers from unauthorized AI replicas, marking a significant victory for SAG-AFTRA. Key provisions of the bill: Requires explicit consent for the use of digital replicas of performers Mirrors language from the SAG-AFTRA contract that ended the 2023 strike Extends protections to include videogames, audiobooks, and commercials Encompasses non-union work Broader implications for the entertainment industry: The bill aims to protect performers beyond those currently covered by union agreements, addressing concerns about the potential loss of rights to voice and likeness. Jeffrey...
read Aug 27, 2024Toronto International Film Festival To Showcase AI-Powered Film Tools
AI filmmaking takes center stage at TIFF: The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to host a groundbreaking event focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and filmmaking, offering industry professionals a glimpse into the future of visual media. AI on the Lot, an organization dedicated to exploring AI's potential in the film industry, has partnered with TIFF to present a pop-up event on September 8, 2023, at Glenn Gould Studio. The session, open to credentialed festival attendees, will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by a networking happy hour at 5 p.m. This event is part of the...
read Aug 26, 2024The Creative Potential and Ethical Dilemmas of AI in Filmmaking
AI's impact on Hollywood: The integration of artificial intelligence in the film industry is reshaping production processes, creative approaches, and industry dynamics, sparking both excitement and concern among professionals and viewers alike. AI applications in filmmaking range from voice translation and content generation to streamlined production techniques, offering potential benefits in efficiency and creative expansion. However, the use of AI in film production has sparked controversy, with some viewers and industry professionals expressing skepticism and concern about its implications for authenticity and job security. Viewer reactions and industry secrecy: The adoption of AI technologies in film production has been met...
read Aug 20, 2024AI Brings Late Actor Ian Holm Back to Life in New Alien Film
AI resurrection in Hollywood: The upcoming film "Alien: Romulus" introduces a character named Rook, featuring the likeness and voice of late actor Ian Holm, sparking discussions about the use of AI in recreating deceased actors. Director Fede Alvarez and producer Ridley Scott have collaborated on this project, which utilizes a combination of animatronics, CGI, and AI to bring Holm's likeness back to the screen. Holm, who played the character Ash in the original 1979 "Alien" film, passed away in 2020, making this posthumous appearance a significant talking point in the film industry. The decision to recreate Holm's likeness was made...
read Jun 24, 2024NBCUniversal Exec Advocates Optimism, Innovation Amid Hollywood’s Challenges
Donna Langley, NBCUniversal's chief content officer, advocated for optimism amid the challenges facing Hollywood, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptation in the evolving media landscape. Key takeaways from Langley's keynote at UCLA's entertainment symposium: Langley addressed several pressing issues in the industry, including the monetization of streaming content, the future of bundling, and the impact of artificial intelligence: Despite the "doom and gloom" sentiment pervading the industry, Langley stressed the importance of remaining optimistic and believing in the future of entertainment. She acknowledged the challenges of monetizing streaming content as traditional revenue streams like linear television and theatrical moviegoing...
read Jun 21, 2024London Cinema Cancels AI-Written Film, Sparking Debate on Technology’s Role in Arts
London cinema cancels screening of AI-written film amid concerns over the technology's impact on the industry, drawing praise from filmgoers for listening to its audience. The controversial film: The Prince Charles Cinema in Soho was set to premiere The Last Screenwriter, a movie written by the AI chatbot ChatGPT, on June 23: The film follows a character named Jack who fears for his job after discovering an AI script writing program that matches and even surpasses his own writing skills and empathy. The cinema's decision to screen the film raised concerns among filmgoers about the use of AI replacing human...
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