How AI is changing filmmaking in Hollywood, with Tom Graham
Nov 6, 2024
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Tom Graham, Co-founder and CEO of Metaphysic, leads the charge in integrating AI into Hollywood's special effects. He shares insights on how AI is revolutionizing the entertainment industry, allowing for cost-effective and realistic effects. The discussion highlights groundbreaking projects like the film 'Here' and the ethical implications of deepfake technologies. Graham also delves into innovations in de-aging characters and the evolution of motion capture, embracing both excitement and responsibility in the future of AI-driven content creation.
AI is revolutionizing Hollywood by enabling realistic special effects at a reduced cost, reshaping the economics of filmmaking.
A human-centered approach is essential in AI's integration into entertainment, ensuring consent and ownership of digital identities for performers.
Deep dives
AI's Impact on Live Performances
The use of AI in live performances has made a significant breakthrough, specifically highlighted by the real-time generation of a younger Slim Shady alongside Eminem during the MTV Video Music Awards. This technology involved capturing the live feed of an impersonator while augmenting it with AI-generated visuals of a youthful Eminem, creating a seamless integration that the home audience witnessed. This not only marked the first instance of generative AI enriching a live televised event but also showcased the potential for AI to revolutionize how performances are staged and experienced. By enabling live transformations in real-time, the approach opens doors for innovative performances that blend technology and artistry.
Human-Centered AI in Hollywood
The conversation emphasizes the need for a human-centered approach in Hollywood's relationship with AI, particularly regarding consent and ownership of digital likenesses. As actors express concerns over realistic AI-generated versions of themselves being used without permission, it is crucial to establish policies that protect performers' rights and ensure their control over their identities. With technology evolving towards creating entire performances generated by algorithms, the importance of consent will only grow as individuals grapple with the implications of seeing AI representations of themselves in media. This human-centered focus aids in navigating the complexities associated with AI in the creative industry.
Democratizing Access to AI Technology
Metaphysic's mission revolves around democratizing access to AI-generated content, empowering individuals to create high-quality, realistic media. The underlying technology relies on sophisticated algorithms capable of efficiently learning from real-world data, enabling immersive experiences akin to a 'Star Trek holodeck.' Future applications could allow users to relive significant life moments through AI-generated media, making personal memories more accessible and interactive. However, the company recognizes the responsibility that comes with such powerful technology and aims to ensure that its deployment is safe and ethically governed.
The Future of Content Creation in Hollywood
Looking ahead, the rapid advancement of AI technology suggests a landscape where a vast majority of online content may be AI-generated, including personalized broadcasts of live sports events tailored to individual viewers. This shift in content creation fundamentally alters the economics of filmmaking and media, making high-quality production more affordable and accessible. As AI becomes a standard tool in storytelling, it will also reshape job roles within the industry, requiring creative professionals to adapt to new methods of leveraging this technology. While these advancements present exciting opportunities, they also underscore the importance of maintaining ethical standards in AI use within Hollywood.
Cutting-edge special effects have brought some of the highest-grossing films, like “Avatar” and “Avengers: Endgame,” to life. Historically, these effects are time-consuming and expensive to produce, but that’s changing. Now, AI offers more options. Co-founder and CEO of Metaphysic, Tom Graham, is at the forefront of reshaping Hollywood using AI — building tools that provide more fidelity and realism at a cheaper price. Graham joins Pioneers of AI to talk about how AI is transforming the entertainment industry, how Metaphysic’s technology works, and about his collaboration with director Robert Zemeckis on the film “Here.”
Pioneers of AI is made possible with support from Inflection AI.
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