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We went to a gala for AI-produced movies. Here’s what we saw

BBG News

We went to a gala for AI-produced movies. Here's what we saw
SAN FRANCISCO  —

As a seasoned cinephile with a penchant for exploring the intersections of technology and storytelling, the AI Film Gala in San Francisco was a captivating experience that blurred the lines between traditional Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Having attended countless premieres in my career, I must say this event was a unique blend of innovation and creativity that left me both inspired and slightly apprehensive about the future of filmmaking.

Jack Song, Vice President at the San Francisco Film Commission, has attended numerous Hollywood film premieres in the past, yet this event stood out as unique: it was an evening hosted by tech aficionados, showcasing brief films generated using artificial intelligence.

At the San Francisco headquarters of Andreessen Horowitz, a well-known venture capital firm which has backed companies like OpenAI (ChatGPT’s creator), Song stood quietly in the rear. The room filled with increasing applause from the audience as they watched a presentation. This particular space was designed for activities like podcast recording and networking, and on this day, it showed new movies on big screens for an assembly of over 100 spectators who were mostly seated.

Initially, there was a music video for an indie pop song titled “Get to You” by artist Caleb Hurst. This video was created by filmmaker Dylan Varella. In the video, Hurst is seen sprinting down a residential street, with him and his surroundings shifting between multiple vibrant worlds generated by AI. Towards the end, Hurst bids farewell to an animated representation of himself that then took flight and morphed into a cartoon sun.

The audience applauded.

In a recent interview following the event, Song, who transitioned from a marketing executive at a startup to a film producer, stated that while the narrative originated from human creativity, they utilized all available AI technologies to elevate the visual aspect of the story. Essentially, according to Song, this is what filmmaking and storytelling are all about – delivering an immersive experience to the audience and sparking deeper thoughts.

One of several AI-produced movies, titled “Get to You,” was exhibited at an event called the Project Odyssey AI Film Festival this month. This event, lasting approximately four hours, served as both a movie premiere and a tech startup conference, aiming to highlight advancements in filmmaking leveraging AI technology.

The gathering bore some resemblance to a typical short film festival, offering awards, prizes, food, and refreshments. However, it also showed signs of being influenced by Silicon Valley’s impact on Hollywood, as it was orchestrated by Civitai – a company specializing in showcasing AI-generated art and tools.

At the event, there weren’t any publicists controlling A-list actors and no traditional red carpet. The original dress code was described as semi-formal, but given the relaxed dress style of startups, it was subsequently changed to “business casual, yet feel free to add a touch of formality if you wish!

In the world of Hollywood, certain artists refer to AI as an antagonist, a technology that could potentially take away jobs and significantly endanger their income sources. These worries peaked during last year’s twin strikes led by writers and actors. On the other hand, in San Francisco, where numerous AI companies have amassed billions of dollars, there is more enthusiasm, although tech aficionados acknowledged its potential impacts.

At the start of his speech during the event, Coco Nitta, CEO of iKHOR Labs – one of the sponsors and an AI-focused film studio, posed a question that has been pondering many professionals in the entertainment industry: “Will AI replace my role?

Critics of filmmaking have sometimes debated whether AI-created movies possess genuine artistic merit. Notably, renowned director Guillermo del Toro recently joked that the technology so far has shown it can produce “moderately intriguing desktop backgrounds.

Matty Shimura, Vice President of Partnerships at Civitai and head of their AI film and TV projects, appeared to acknowledge the cultural tension in his opening speech at the September 13 gala.

Shimura commented that it all began around eight months ago when he arrived at Civitai, marking the beginning of a fascinating adventure aimed at making AI filmmaking a recognized practice.

In the international Project Odyssey film contest, creators worldwide submitted short films (4 minutes or less) featuring artificial intelligence. The winning entries received monetary prizes, as well as access credits or subscriptions for advanced AI tools.

The goal was to encourage creators give AI a try and to see where their imagination could take them. Enthusiasm was high, with more than 1,300 entries.

In a recent conversation, Shimura expressed that AI filmmaking tools often face negative perceptions within traditional creative circles. However, he emphasized transparency regarding the use of these tools. Interestingly, those individuals who currently exhibit resistance towards this technology are often the ones who possess the greatest potential to master it effectively.

These brief movies demonstrated various applications of AI across diverse storytelling styles, such as westerns and dramatic narratives.

In simpler terms, Nitta explained that AI technology, such as what their company creates, can make the process of animation more efficient, potentially reducing worker exhaustion. For instance, they collaborated with the music group ROHKI to produce a 12-minute video displayed at the gala.

iKHOR Labs’ AI tools were employed by the filmmakers to convert live-action acting into stylish animated depictions of the ROHKI characters. According to Nitta, this project was completed by a team of six within roughly a month and a half. Without the technology, Nitta stated, the project could have taken anywhere from six months to a year to finish.

Technology leaders often point to these innovations as examples demonstrating that Artificial Intelligence can inspire artists to think audaciously and express fresh narratives in distinct manners.

Nitta stated that this technology will make it possible for everyone, “especially independent filmmakers with exceptional concepts,” to share their stories globally, promoting equal access.

In a recent statement, Varella, a 30-year-old director based in Austin, expressed initial doubts about using AI technology. His primary concern was that such tools might diminish the artistic value of the work and potentially be perceived as stealing the spotlight from visual effects artists by reducing the time they spend on their craft.

Apart from being curious, Varella decided to join the contest as well. Surprisingly, the process turned out to be more intricate, demanding in terms of technology, and creatively engaging than he had initially anticipated, he noted.

Varella explained to The Times that by the end of it, I felt as though I had almost mastered an entirely fresh role. It demanded constant creative problem-solving, which was more than I anticipated. It seemed like a whole new artistic discipline.

Still, Varella said he’s concerned that in the future, as AI rapidly advances, someone could do in a day what took him around 300 hours.

Varella expressed some apprehension about the direction things are taking, and she’s not thrilled at the thought of it becoming even simpler to continue down this path.

Additional AI-focused film contests are on the horizon! The second installment of Project Odyssey is scheduled for later in the year. In October, Amazon’s AWS Startups and Los Angeles-based FBRC.ai will co-host a competition known as the Culver Cup, which centers around AI in filmmaking.

At the Project Odyssey gathering, multiple speakers admitted that the technology has some remaining flaws. However, they noted that its abilities continue to expand and develop.

Katya Alexander, president of Pillars Studio, expressed during a panel that she prefers the “bull in a china shop” approach, meaning she tries to shape tools to suit her needs, although they may not function as desired just yet.

However, Jason Zada, creator of AI studio Secret Level, dreams that the focus will eventually shift from discussing the AI technology used in filmmaking to simply appreciating the movies themselves.

On that panel, Zada expressed frustration about the common response to their presentations being, “What tools did you utilize?” Instead, they wished for more focus on personal opinions, such as “Did you enjoy it? Was it well-executed?

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2024-09-26 13:34

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