Gareth Edwards’ ‘The Creator’ zeroes in on AI tension as WGA leaders make a deal
Sep 29, 2023
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Director Gareth Edwards discusses his AI-centric film The Creator, the behind-the-scenes drama on Rogue One, and the challenges of pitching the movie. The podcast also explores the recent WGA negotiations achievements, Gareth Edwards' filmmaking journey, and the exploration of AI and emotions in The Creator.
The film 'The Creator' delves into the philosophical dilemmas surrounding AI and its impact on society, particularly focusing on the idea of banning AI.
The recently resolved Writers Guild Strike achieved guarantees that the writers' work would not be used to reduce credit and payment on projects involving AI, and secured a performance-based bonus tied to audience consumption for streaming shows with increased transparency.
Deep dives
The Creator: Exploring AI in a Dystopian World
In this podcast episode, director Gareth Edwards discusses his science fiction thriller film, The Creator. The film explores the concept of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential threat to humanity. Edwards mentions the initial bafflement from Disney executives about the idea of banning AI, which serves as a significant plot point in the movie. He also touches on the behind-the-scenes drama he faced while directing the Star Wars film, Rogue One. Edwards explains his choice to shoot The Creator using a consumer-grade camera, highlighting the advancements in prosumer camera technology. Overall, The Creator tackles philosophical dilemmas surrounding AI and its impact on society.
The Writers Guild Strike: Key Achievements
The podcast delves into the recently resolved Writers Guild Strike, revealing the key achievements made by the writers. The main sticking points during negotiations were the size of writer's rooms, the use of AI in scripts, and transparency from streaming services. The deal reached includes requirements for the number of writers to be hired based on show episodes, allowing for training opportunities for writer producers. The writers also secured guarantees that their work would not be used to reduce their credit and payment on projects involving AI. However, they did not achieve a complete ban on using their work to train AI language models. The agreement also includes a performance-based bonus tied to audience consumption for streaming shows with a 20% threshold. While the data for this bonus will be kept confidential by the guild, it represents a step towards increased transparency in the industry.
Gareth Edwards' Filmmaking Journey and Lessons from Rogue One
The podcast delves into director Gareth Edwards' career trajectory and the challenges he faced while working on big-budget films. Edwards recounts winning a contest that kick-started his path in filmmaking and ultimately led to smaller projects and opportunities. He discusses his experience directing Rogue One, mentioning the extensive reshoots and rewrites that occurred during production. While Edwards remains tight-lipped about the specifics, he expresses gratitude for the opportunity to direct a Star Wars film and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. He concludes by sharing insights into his latest film, The Creator, and the inspiration he drew from movies like Rain Man and Paper Moon.
The Creation of The Creator and Guerrilla Filmmaking Techniques
The podcast explores the making of Gareth Edwards' film, The Creator, and the guerrilla filmmaking techniques employed. Edwards explains the decision to change the film's title from True Love to The Creator due to marketing concerns and audience preconceptions. He also discusses the use of a consumer-grade Sony camera, which allowed for flexibility, cost-saving, and a lightweight shooting approach. By utilizing battery-operated LED lights and easily maneuverable equipment, Edwards and his crew were able to shoot extended takes and maintain a documentary-like style. The podcast highlights The Creator's blend of sci-fi, action, and emotional dynamics, drawing inspiration from films such as Blade Runner, Rain Man, and Paper Moon.
WGA leaders reached a deal this week with Hollywood studios, ending 148 days of work stoppage. What did they get? Where did they compromise? And will SAG-AFTRA be next? Plus, director Gareth Edwards discusses his new AI-centric film The Creator and its timeliness within our current cultural climate. He also gets real about behind-the-scenes drama on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
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