Will AI take over Video Production ?

The film and video industry is on the cusp of a transformative era, thanks to the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This revolution is not just about automating tasks but about fostering a harmonious relationship between technology and creativity, opening up new avenues for storytelling, efficiency, and innovation.

The video below demonstrates some of the most recent AI video editing software. We’re not that impressed with the ai results tbh, however it is worth noting that AI is currently in its early days. As the tools get more intuitive and advanced, we could see more improvements.

The AI Revolution in Scriptwriting and Pre-production

AI is making significant strides in scriptwriting and pre-production. Natural language processing algorithms are now capable of generating realistic scripts, enriching story ideas with potential character traits and plot twists. This technology aids writers by boosting productivity and organizing creative thoughts, albeit with the caveat that human oversight remains crucial to imbue narratives with the nuanced depth that AI currently lacks​​​​.

In pre-production, AI’s prowess extends to audience analysis, budget planning, and even location scouting, streamlining what traditionally were highly administrative and logistical processes. By analyzing vast datasets, AI tools provide filmmakers with insights into audience preferences, helping tailor content to specific demographics and thus enhancing marketing strategies​​​​.

As an example of pre-production tools. You can now speed up some elements that you would normally spend potentially hours working out.

Here’s a very simple example of using AI. We asked ‘Diagrams Show me’ (a ChatGPT plugin) to create the following :

Here’s what we received in 10 seconds, pretty good – and this can be adapted or updated again and again until you are happy with it. …

Production: Enhancing Creative Vision with AI

During production, AI technologies offer tools that not only enhance efficiency but also expand creative possibilities. For instance, AI algorithms trained on high-resolution scans of actors’ faces can capture nuanced expressions, as seen in the transformation of Josh Brolin into Thanos for “Avengers: Infinity War”. Such advancements allow for the creation of visually stunning sequences while enabling actors to focus on delivering their best performances​​.

Post-production: AI’s Role in Editing and VFX

AI’s impact is perhaps most palpable in post-production. Tools like Colourlab.Ai and Descript automate tedious tasks such as color grading and editing, significantly reducing production time and costs. AI not only facilitates the editing process but also unlocks new creative potential by automating visual effects (VFX), enhancing animations, and even generating music compositions tailored to the film’s atmosphere​​​​.

Descript, a text-based video editing tool, allows for edits in the text to be automatically reflected in the video footage, streamlining the editing process. Furthermore, AI is utilized in creating trailers by identifying high-action and emotional scenes, assisting editors in showcasing the most enticing aspects of films.

Enhancing Visual Effects (VFX) and Viewer Engagement

AI significantly boosts VFX efficiency by automating tedious tasks like rotoscoping and streamlining the VFX pipeline, including 3D modeling and image processing. It also plays a crucial role in viewer engagement, with AI-powered recommendation systems suggesting films and shows that align with viewers’ interests, thus enhancing content discovery.

AI in Music Scoring and Film Restoration

AI’s impact extends to music scoring, with AI-based tools analyzing data from compositions to develop music patterns that adapt to the movie’s environment. Additionally, AI helps in film restoration by automatically removing scratches, dirt, and warp from old prints, and AI-enabled video compression improves the video quality of lower-resolution productions.

The Future of AI in Filmmaking

As we embrace the future, the film industry must navigate the potential downsides of AI, such as job losses and the homogenization of storytelling. By focusing on the unique capabilities of human creativity, emphasizing tasks difficult for AI, and continuously learning and adapting to new technologies, humans can ensure their indispensable role in filmmaking alongside AI advancements.

Ethical Considerations and the Path Forward

Despite AI’s immense potential, ethical considerations about data privacy, bias, and job displacement must be navigated carefully. The industry must ensure that AI serves as a tool to amplify human creativity rather than replace it. This balance is crucial to harness AI’s benefits while preserving the unique essence of human artistic expression​​​​.

The future of filmmaking with AI, often dubbed “Hollywood 2.0”, promises a more diverse, inclusive, and efficient industry. However, achieving this future requires filmmakers to view AI as a collaborative partner, using it to enhance storytelling and production quality while maintaining ethical standards and valuing human talent above all​​.

Hollywood Strikes against AI

In 2023, the Hollywood film industry faced a significant upheaval as both actors and writers went on strike, marking the first simultaneous strike by these groups since 1960. The core of their protest was against the burgeoning use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) by major studios, fearing it could replace their roles within the industry. This concern was not unfounded, as AI has found several uses in the movie and television industry over the last decade, including de-aging actors, analyzing viewer patterns on streaming platforms, bringing back the voices of late actors, and even assembling entire movie trailers​​.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) instigated several strikes throughout 2023. Their goal was not to eliminate AI from the film industry but to seek a compromise ensuring that human-generated content remained more valued than AI-produced content. This movement was a clarion call for AI regulation and contractual changes to protect creative workers’ livelihoods​​.

The strikes highlighted a broader concern about AI’s impact on creative industries. AI’s capability to develop scripts and recreate actor likenesses without their physical presence on set has brought to light the ethical and practical implications of using such technology. Actors and writers were concerned that without action, studios would continue to replace human roles with AI, taking advantage of AI’s cost-effectiveness due to the lack of regulatory frameworks​​.

One of the most contentious issues was the proposal from studios regarding the use of AI to scan background performers. Studios suggested that performers could be scanned, compensated for a day’s work, but then have their likenesses owned by the studios for use in any future projects without further consent or compensation.

This proposal was likened to a dystopian scenario by Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director and chief negotiator​​.

The strike not only reflects the immediate concerns of those within the Hollywood film industry but also sets a precedent for the future of work in an era increasingly dominated by AI. This situation underscores the importance of finding a balance between leveraging AI for innovation and ensuring the fair treatment and compensation of human workers. The resolution of these strikes, with calls for more regulation and contractual changes to protect artists against AI exploitation, might influence how other industries approach the integration of AI into the workforce​​.

Moreover, the WGA’s strike emphasized the artistic and human aspects of creative work, arguing against the reduction of art to mere “content” and highlighting the unique value that human experiences and perspectives bring to storytelling and art​​.

In response to these strikes, there was a proposal that scripts covered by the union’s collective bargaining agreement should not be used to train AIs, reflecting a broader resistance against the unconsented use of creative works for AI training​​. The implications of this strike extend far beyond Hollywood, potentially setting a template for how labor unions across various industries might negotiate the integration of AI technologies in a manner that protects workers’ interests​​.

The 2023 strikes in Hollywood against the use of AI in film production have underscored a pivotal moment in the intersection of technology and creative labor, catalyzing a critical conversation about the future of creativity, labor rights, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence.

The Dilemma of Human Jobs and Creativity

Despite AI’s benefits, there’s growing concern over its potential to displace human roles. Advanced algorithms threaten to supplant screenwriters, casting directors, and VFX artists, sparking fears of widespread job losses within the industry. Moreover, the essence of human creativity, characterized by unique perspectives and emotional depth, stands at risk. AI-generated content, while efficient, may lack the nuanced storytelling and character development that come from human experiences, which could seriously affect film narratives​​.

The Human Element in the Age of AI

Preserving human jobs in the face of AI competition involves emphasizing the irreplaceable aspects of human creativity and focusing on tasks that AI cannot replicate, such as those requiring empathy, social skills, or nuanced judgment. Moreover, continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies are crucial for industry professionals to stay relevant and integrate AI tools effectively into their workflow​​.

The Path Forward

The future of the film industry in the age of AI calls for a balanced approach, leveraging AI’s capabilities to enhance efficiency and creativity while safeguarding the value of human contribution and ensuring job security. This balance is pivotal not only for sustaining the industry’s economic model but also for preserving the rich tapestry of human storytelling that forms the core of cinematic art.

In conclusion, the film and video industry’s journey with AI is just beginning. By embracing AI as a complement to human creativity, filmmakers can unlock a new era of storytelling richness and production excellence.

The collaboration between AI and human ingenuity holds the key to navigating the challenges and opportunities of this digital transformation, ensuring the film and video industry’s success in the years to come.

Photo by Eric Krull 

Sources:

• Filmstro
• Filmmakers Academy
• Raindance
• SmartClick
• Futurism