The Heat is On
The tech race is on in films.
Over the past year, AI has significantly influenced various aspects of filmmaking, from scriptwriting and voice modulation to visual effects and even the creation of entirely AI-generated films. The Oscars just validated this.
Voice Modulation and Enhancement
Several films utilized AI to refine actors' performances, particularly in voice modulation:
The Brutalist: AI software Respeecher was employed to enhance the Hungarian accents of actors Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, aiming for authentic pronunciation without altering their original performances. Related article: https://www.realmiq.com/blog/ai-gets-brutal-treatment
Emilia Pérez: AI was used to adjust an actor's singing voice, showcasing AI's role in post-production to achieve desired vocal qualities. washington.edu
Scriptwriting
AI has ventured into screenwriting, contributing to the creation of film scripts:
The Last Screenwriter: This Swiss film's screenplay was entirely written by OpenAI's ChatGPT-4, exploring the narrative of a human screenwriter confronting an AI's writing capabilities. en.wikipedia.org
Visual Effects and De-Aging
AI has enhanced visual storytelling through advanced visual effects and de-aging techniques:
Here: Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this film utilized real-time generative AI to de-age actors Tom Hanks and Robin Wright across a 60-year timeline, allowing transformations without extensive post-production. wired.com
Entirely AI-Generated Films
AI's capabilities have extended to generating complete films:
DreadClub: Vampire's Verdict: This American animated film is noted as the first AI-generated feature, with AI handling visuals, character performances, sound design, musical score, story, animation, and editing. en.wikipedia.org
AI Themed Movies in the Oscar Race
“The Wild Robot” – Best Animated Feature Nominee Based on Peter Brown’s 2016 novel, “The Wild Robot” tells the story of Roz, an AI service robot who becomes shipwrecked on an uninhabited island. To survive, Roz learns to adapt to her surroundings, builds relationships with the local wildlife, and becomes the adoptive mother to an orphaned goose named Brightbill. The film’s watercolor aesthetic, inspired by classic Disney animations and Hayao Miyazaki’s works, brings a unique visual style to the narrative.
“I’m Not a Robot” – Best Live Action Short Film Oscar winner. This chilling Dutch-language short film follows Lara, a music producer who, after repeatedly failing CAPTCHA tests, is led to question her own humanity. The film delves into themes of identity and the blurred lines between humans and machines in our technologically advanced society. Its dark comedic approach offers a satirical yet profound commentary on our reliance on digital validation.
Ethical Considerations and Industry Response
The integration of AI in filmmaking has raised ethical questions regarding creativity, authenticity, and employment:
The use of AI in The Brutalist led to debates about the ethical implications of altering actors' performances, prompting discussions about transparency in AI usage.
The film Heretic, starring Hugh Grant, explicitly stated that no generative AI was used in its production, reflecting concerns about AI's impact on the creative process and potential job displacement within the industry.
James Cameron quips that no AI will be used in his next Avatar movie, yet he sits on the board of Anthropic.
In summary, AI's integration into filmmaking over the past year has been multifaceted, offering innovative tools for creators while also prompting critical discussions about the future of human creativity in the arts. AI Film Festivals keep popping up, as well. Watch this space.
About the Author
Curt Doty, founder of CurtDoty.co, is an award winning creative director whose legacy lies in branding, product development, social strategy, integrated marketing, and User Experience Design. His work of entertainment branding includes Electronic Arts, EA Sports, ProSieben, SAT.1, WBTV Latin America, Discovery Health, ABC, CBS, A&E, StarTV, Fox, Kabel 1, and TV Guide Channel.
He has extensive experience on AI-driven platforms MidJourney, Adobe Firefly, ChatGPT, Murf.ai, HeyGen, and DALL-E. He now runs his AI consultancy RealmIQ and companion podcast RealmIQ: Sessions on YouTube and Spotify.
He is a sought after public speaker having been featured at Streaming Media NYC, Digital Hollywood, Mobile Growth Association, Mobile Congress, App Growth Summit, Promax, CES, CTIA, NAB, NATPE, MMA Global, New Mexico Angels, Santa Fe Business Incubator, EntrepeneursRx, Davos Worldwide and AI Impact. He has lectured at universities including Full Sail, SCAD, Art Center College of Design, CSUN and Chapman University.
He currently serves on the board of the Godfrey Reggio Foundation and is the AI Writer for Parlay Me.
