This Week In XR September 20th, 2024 ft. John Attanassio and Luisa Huang, Co-founders of Toonstar
Sep 22, 2024
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Join John Attanassio and Luisa Huang, co-founders of Toonstar, an AI-assisted animation company transforming digital storytelling. They share their inspiring journey from traditional animation backgrounds to creating viral hits like 'Stephen and Parker' on YouTube. The duo discusses how AI is reshaping animation and the creator economy, enabling new voices in a previously exclusive industry. Expect insights into their innovative tools that lower barriers for creators and the impact of platforms like TikTok on modern narratives.
Toonstar has successfully merged AI with animation, resulting in widespread acclaim and millions of views for their series 'Steven and Parker'.
The integration of AI in XR technologies promises to revolutionize the creation of virtual environments, significantly impacting gaming and interactive experiences.
Deep dives
Zapper's Innovations in XR
Zapper is recognized as a leading company in the XR sector, having developed accessible tools and SDKs that democratize augmented reality (AR) experiences. Their latest innovation, the Accessible QR code, enables visually impaired individuals to engage with packaged goods, showcasing Zapper's commitment to inclusivity. This initiative illustrates how technology can bridge gaps for underrepresented communities while maintaining engaging marketing strategies. Zapper's dedication to innovation is evident through their creation of the ZAPBox, which is touted as the world's most affordable mixed reality headset.
Snap's New AR Wearables
The latest Snap spectacles have entered the market, featuring a vertical field of view tailored for snackable entertainment. The glasses allow users to participate in social experiences effortlessly, although their limited battery life may restrict their practicality. With an integrated AI-powered software stack, these spectacles align with current trends in mixed reality and enhance user interaction through dynamic visual content. The introduction of these wearables highlights the growing intersection between social media and augmented reality, pushing forward the boundaries of interactive experiences.
AI's Role in 3D World Creation
Fei-Fei Li, a co-founder of DeepMind, has secured significant funding to further develop AI technologies that construct 3D virtual worlds and assets. This advancement is expected to greatly impact both the gaming and XR industries, potentially revolutionizing how these virtual environments are created and experienced. The integration of AI into these fields not only aims to enhance creative possibilities but also to streamline production processes. The partnership between established tech leaders and innovative thinkers like Li may lead to groundbreaking developments in virtual and augmented realities.
Toonstar's Rise in Animated Content
Toonstar has gained acclaim for leveraging AI in the creation of animated content that caters to modern digital audiences. Co-founders John Atanasio and Lisa Quang shared how they transitioned from traditional animation to producing hits like 'Steven and Parker' using their AI-driven approach. The series has rapidly grown in popularity, attracting millions of viewers and demonstrating the viability of new content delivery methods on platforms like YouTube. By combining technology with storytelling expertise, Toonstar represents a successful model for fostering creative expression in the digital age.
Ted and Charlie are Rony-less but happily dive into a busy newsweek, which featured new headsets from Snap and HTC, a $230 M raise for World Labs, which is focused on generating 3D AI, for worlds and assets. Also in the news Palmer Lucky to the rescue, and a Neuralink breakthrough. John Attanassio and Luisa Huang, co-founders of Toonstar, join us to share their nine year journey to success as an AI-assisted animation company, specializing in YouTube and social media. Their series, Stephen and Parker, a collaboration with TikTok megastar Parker James, gets tens of millions views - and dollars - on YouTube.
Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!
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