Generative AI is becoming more prevalent and, whether we like it or not, is being embraced by movie studio executives for better or for worse.
It seems like no matter where you go these days, you cannot stop hearing about artificial intelligence. Everyone has an opinion on it, whether they embrace it through generating memes with Sora or they denounce it by citing environmental effects.
No matter which camp you fall into, AI likely is here to stay. And, unfortunately for LSU’s film and television students, a notable area it has been accepted is within the entertainment industry.
Prevalent companies like Disney have used AI to create art for Marvel television shows “Secret Invasion” and, more recently, “Wonder Man.” A completely AI-generated film using the Dall-E 2 technology called “Critterz” plans to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next year.
The most current example is “actress” Tilly Norwood. Just last month, reports of an AI-generated character named Tilly Norwood being considered to be signed to Hollywood talent agencies hit the internet. This baffled LSU film and television junior DJ Flood, who believes Norwood could never measure up to the real thing.
“Tilly Norwood has never, like, grieved a loved one or stayed up all night talking to her friends or, I don’t know, like, gone through heartbreak,” Flood said. “So anything she acts in, she’s not acting because she’s not even being.”
This sentiment is shared by many prominent actors in the industry. Many actors called for a boycott of any talent agencies wanting to sign Norwood. In an Instagram post, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) stated that they do not see her as an actress, electing to call her a “synthetic performer.”
This pushback, along with her own hope for the general public, gives Flood a little peace of mind.
“It’s scary, but I’m an optimist, so I like to believe that we won’t ever let it get that bad,” said Flood.
Another LSU film student, sophomore Luke Suggs, shares these same sentiments as Flood and SAG-AFTRA. However, he sees it a little more glass-half-empty.
“Right now, we’re seeing a lot of creatives go against it, but unfortunately, I don’t think that that will stop it from still happening,” Suggs said. “And I think there is a future where AI is going to be extremely prevalent in movies.”
One thing these students agree on, though, is that AI could never replace human expression and the connection made through artistic collaboration.
Suppose an amateur filmmaker living paycheck to paycheck is wants to complete his passion project. He has the shooting and editing down, but the film has no soundtrack. He does not know how to make music. In between bills and paying off student debt, he also does not have the money or the time to learn how or pay someone else to do it. Flood posited that while it might be the more inconvenient or difficult option, it is much better to do this the human way.
“If you need music for a film, to me that’s another reason to go make a friend or make a connection, like, look for people who can write music for you,” Flood said. “And then now you have a songwriter or a composer who, now, you can always, like, work with on films.”
It goes without saying that LSU’s film and television students are unhappy with the prevailing presence of AI in their hopeful future industries. Only time will tell if this is just a trend or something here to stay.
