A recent panel discussion at SIGGRAPH in Denver brought together experts from the filmmaking and VFX industries to share their insights on the potential impact of generative AI models on the media creation process. The consensus among Nikola Todorovic (Wonder Dynamics), Freddy Chavez Olmos (Boxel Studio), and Michael Black (Meshcapade, Max Planck Institute) was that while these tools may not revolutionize filmmaking in the short term, they have the potential to bring about radical changes in the long term.
The Limitations of Current Generative Models
One of the first topics discussed was the impractical nature of today’s video generators. Todorovic noted that there is a "misperception of AI" that it can produce high-quality VFX shots with just one click. However, he emphasized that this is not currently possible and that editability is still a major issue.
"We’re seeing UX being discovered – these research companies are starting to learn the ways of 3D and filmmaking terms," Todorovic said. "But if you don’t have editability, it’s hard to make something look good."
Black added that the current state of generative models is still far from being able to produce high-quality VFX shots.
"The biggest limitation right now is the quality of the images generated by these models," Black said. "They’re not quite there yet in terms of photorealism and resolution."
The Rise of AI-Generated Imagery
Chavez Olmos predicted that we will see a more traditional acceptance curve for AI-generated imagery and actors.
"People are going to start accepting these films, even at the end of this year," Chavez Olmos said. "It’s going to be a full AI film, which I think people are going to get past."
Black agreed, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in film.
"If the movie has heart, it doesn’t matter if the characters are AI," Black said. "People will enjoy the movie because they connect with the story and the characters."
The Future of Filmmaking
So what does the future hold for filmmaking? Chavez Olmos predicted that we will see a shift towards more interactive storytelling.
"In our day-to-day life, we tell stories to each other," Chavez Olmos said. "We chat about what we did on the weekend and so on. And that’s a very active kind of interactive storytelling."
Black added that Pixar has already taught us the importance of story in film.
"It’s all about connecting to the characters," Black said. "It’s about heart. And if the movie has heart, it doesn’t matter if the characters are AI."
Conclusion
The panel discussion highlighted the potential impact of generative AI models on the media creation process. While these tools may not revolutionize filmmaking in the short term, they have the potential to bring about radical changes in the long term.
As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how these technologies continue to evolve and shape the future of filmmaking.
Recommendations for Filmmakers
- Invest in training and education: To stay ahead of the curve, filmmakers need to invest in training and education on the latest AI tools and technologies.
- Focus on storytelling: As Black emphasized, story is what drives film. Filmmakers should focus on creating compelling stories that connect with audiences.
- Experiment with new formats: The rise of AI-generated imagery and actors offers new opportunities for filmmakers to experiment with different formats and styles.
By embracing these technologies and focusing on the importance of storytelling, filmmakers can stay ahead of the curve and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the media creation process.
Related Topics
- AI in Film: The rise of AI-generated imagery and actors has the potential to revolutionize the film industry.
- Generative Models: These models have the potential to bring about radical changes in the media creation process.
- Storytelling: Story is what drives film, and it’s essential for filmmakers to focus on creating compelling stories that connect with audiences.
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- Why Storytelling Remains Essential in the Age of AI-Generated Content