Visual Exercise #2 Link

Blog Prompt: What are your thoughts on the risks and opportunities of AI Cinema? What do these tools mean for the future of Hollywood entertainment and for independent artists working in the industry? 

Using AI as a resource or tool can enhance our creative processes. It offers a way to generate new ideas, provide inspiration, and overcome artistic obstacles. As a society, we must value the art conceived in the human mind and crafted by human hands. Users of AI should learn to harness this technology effectively to aid in brainstorming. We shouldn’t undermine artists who utilize this tool, nor those who choose not to. Instead, we should recognize it as a new category in our societal framework, much like the way we embraced cellphones and computers. With time and patience, we can leverage this resource to simplify our lives.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cinema marks a revolutionary shift in the way movies are made, perceived, and enjoyed. As technology advances, AI’s role in cinema is poised to become more significant, potentially transforming the industry in myriad ways. However, the application of AI in this creative domain is a double-edged sword, capable of both enhancing and undermining the artistry of filmmaking.

One of the most promising uses of AI in cinema is in the correction and enhancement of visuals, as well as in the creation of special effects. This application can significantly reduce the cost and time associated with manual shooting, editing, and post-production processes. By automating tedious tasks, filmmakers can allocate more resources towards enhancing the narrative and visual storytelling aspects of their projects. Moreover, AI can generate realistic environments and characters, enabling creators to bring their most ambitious visions to life without the constraints of physical production.

However, the use of AI in screenwriting is a contentious issue. Despite its potential to analyze vast amounts of data to predict what might appeal to audiences, AI-generated scripts lack the nuance and emotional depth that come from human experience and creativity. For instance, several Marvel works have experimented with AI for scriptwriting, but the endeavor has met with considerable criticism. Critics argue that these AI-assisted scripts often lack the heart and coherence that are hallmarks of memorable storytelling, suggesting that technology cannot yet replicate the intricate understanding of human emotions and narrative pacing that talented screenwriters possess.

In conclusion, while AI has the potential to revolutionize cinema by enhancing visual effects and reducing production costs, its application in screenwriting remains controversial. The essence of cinema is its ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level, a feat that, at present, is best achieved through the human touch. As we navigate the future of AI in cinema, it’s crucial to find a balance that leverages technology to enhance, rather than detract from, the creative process.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uQdT54xREKTkf0gh-oxtO8D1XHr21snED5NnYjSqMpg/edit?usp=sharing

I experienced some difficulty keeping consistency in my images for this assignment. Sometimes regenerations of photos would leave out certain details that I had already clarified in the configuration for the GPT (i.e., color palette, art style, etc.). I also had to fix my character’s appearance multiple times and ended up not using some really awesome photos because they weren’t consistent enough with my already existing photos and ideas. In order to create the character in particular, I went through a similar process to when I created the concept for this world in the first place, asking my GPT for details that it would need to get a clear picture of her. Once I answered those questions, I was also able to envision her as a character and what her appearance and personality would be like, which made it easier to tailor my world’s story to fit into her life. Overall, this was easily the most fun I’ve had so far with the photo generation, and I’m excited to do this again as a starting point for the video assignment.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KAxAs679Akbx2DzYIgXLUOcGj7AiX98jlq5LeZxq4-k/edit?usp=sharing

The creative process for this project was rather difficult for me as I am not into sci-fi as much as others might be, but it was a world I wanted to explore. I leaned heavily on ChatGPT to help generate ideas and I refined and edited the ideas until I came up with something I felt comfortable with and wanted to move forward with. ChatGPT gave me ideas as far as how society works, how AI and humans interact in a symbiotic way and even the fashion people wear in this world. I took bits and pieces of what was suggested and had an in-depth conversation with the GPT to go further into detail on the world of Synthetica. I wanted the world to be full of nature and futuristic life living in coexistence and allowing the world to no longer be damaged by pollution. I was however stumped on what story to tell through images, so I tried to focus on Synthetica, and a mega-city called Elysion Terra. I wanted to show what everyday life looked like in this mega-city from sunrise to sunset with my limited images. I also decided to work with ChatGPT to create an outline for what high fashion would look like in this futuristic world. Overall, it was a new experience for me to delve into a futuristic sci-fi world and overall, it was enjoyable. The only annoying part throughout this project was the limited number of prompts that ChatGPT gives you. It prevents artistic flow by having a limited number of prompts and will plan on using MidJourney for the next project.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qsxson9LWi6hUimMNr5SGDf3F6q0YWB66AJ4KCGC2lo/edit?usp=sharing

Creating a visual representation of what Ethereal looked like was significantly more difficult than I had anticipated it to be. As I was creating this world’s description during visual 1 I thought I had a pretty good idea on what I wanted my world to look and be like, which helped me a lot. However translating the image that’s in my brain into words proved to be difficult for me. Configuring my GPT to match the aesthetic of Ethereal wasn’t that difficult but getting into specific types of cameras and lighting required me to do a bit of research despite that I have done some photography in the past. 

When it came to creating the storytelling part I had no idea where to even begin so asking GPT for ideas was my starting point. I picked a story that reminisced with me, about a girl who makes art. I had GPT generate descriptions for scenes including the camera shot. Generating the images to achieve the look I wanted was where I definitely faced the most challenges. 

Since Ethereal has a classical roman inspired architecture I thought that for clothing design having ancient civilization inspired clothes would suit this utopia looking mythological world. What I did add to the clothes was having lots of patterns, jewelry, and beads to add more details. At first I tried to have characters have a little moon stone in their foreheads but when I generated that the people looked like robots because GPT interpreted it as something mechanical, I played around with this look at first but didn’t like it in the end. For Lira the character of my story I didn’t have an specifications for the way I wanted her to look but she appeared in several of the scenes but the way she looked kept changing so consistency was not being kept very much. I had to take the character design that I liked the most and then edit the scene images by asking it to change some of her features but for the most part her look didn’t change. 

As I was making the scenery I noticed that it was almost like the GPT would forget or dismiss my instructions on the types of photos I wanted because I needed to remind it of the aspect ratio and tell it to make things more colorful. As I was going through this process I ended up making a few alterations to the overall look of my world by making it even more colorful and making the environment look exotic. 

At first I tried to make the images look photorealistic but as much as I tried using different terms it never seemed to. Instead it made a video game-like design which I actually liked. I think it added to the aesthetic and made it feel even more well Ethereal.

Here is the link to my presentation:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11LEbCqy_0adixAcx7vY5XDdUOwnAKTX409GU5Jn3Etk/edit?usp=sharing

In my creative process I did not want to make something that I have done before, so no sci-space stuff. I wanted it to be fantasy with magic. All I needed was a theme. I have been watching a show about a group of adventures diving into a dungeon to save someone. I took that concept and flipped it. A party stuck in a dungeon who can’t get out. I also wanted it to seem like the characters are in the after life with the whole amnesia thing.

The process of creating the world was not too difficult. When I had problems coming up with something I would ask my GPT and it would provide suggestions. With the help of AI tools I was able to create key visuals from the story like the first guardian. Making a story was easy for my world. A group of adventurers with no memory starts ascending the underworld. The hard part was keeping the visuals consistent. I would ask chat to make one of the characters in frame of a monster and it would change the description of my character.

Anyway, this was a fun exercise and I believe my world would be perfect for someone’s Dungeons and Dragons campaign.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mK2WOtskY_ge7q4jyUYORgIbEb15CRQxjiQkPActqgU/edit?usp=sharing

I think that AI cinema could open up a lot of opportunities for people outside of the film industry to make new and exciting cinematography, and that it could also be useful as a tool for those already within the industry. The biggest risk with AI cinema is the potential for people to lose their jobs. AI is already taking over tasks like scheduling, sorting, etc. that were traditionally jobs for actual people, but I don’t necessarily view this as being a bad thing. Cutting out those jobs that most likely require the least amount of skill and expertise can cut back on production costs and allow for smaller film makers and studios to produce more often or have the budget for better quality projects. 

The jobs that could be potentially lost within writing, directing, acting, etc. are more of a concern, in my opinion. Just as other artists do, these people spend their entire lives mastering their craft and finding their niche. To have all of that squashed by AI would be devastating. There is also the risk of deep-faking famous actors and voice actors for future cinematography without their consent, either while they’re alive or after they’ve passed away, and that poses another ethical concern.

These AI tools have and will inevitably further change the future of Hollywood entertainment forever. Artificial intelligence is changing a variety of industries, and I feel like the vast majority of them are not safe from exemption; therefore, there won’t be any for the film industry. Hollywood could sink or swim with these new tools, but that depends on how far people are willing to go with AI. Independent artists have the most to gain, because this could give them the edge to be more on par with Hollywood when it comes to production value, overall quality, editing, casting, etc. It will be interesting to ask myself these questions 5–10 years from now and see how the answers may differ due to developments.

What are your thoughts on the risks and opportunities of AI Cinema? 

Some of the risks that come with AI in Cinema would include copyright infringement and the possible lack of originality or creativity. Copyright infringement is something we are already seeing in AI created art and it has become an issue, especially for bigger artists. AI, as of now, does not know that it can’t infringe copyright issues and it uses examples of artists to create something new while also having hints of the original art piece, sometimes even the signatures of the artist distorted on the picture. I believe that this will be the case as well for AI when creating scripts for new movies. As of now, nothing is stopping AI from taking plot lines from movies and just rewriting them in a different format or structure. I believe this would just end up with reworks of already created movies, and just add different twists or elements to it. This also leads me to question how originality or creativity will be lacking with AI tools writing movies. I say this because AI will end up recycling content, not creating really anything new. This is where the importance of human creativity is important, as it tends to be relevant to our human lives. When AI is creating something for humans, it lacks humanity.

Some of the opportunities that would come with AI in Cinema would include things like scheduling, pre-production, special effects and distribution a lot easier for companies, but I think the biggest opportunity would be offered to the smaller creators. What I mean by this is that anyone could create a movie without the need of a big production studio. AI tools could make it possible for small film creators to expand their creativity through the opportunities that AI tools offer, such as creating their own actors and voice lines, creating their own environment or world for the movie and much more. AI will provide a way for smaller film creators to create something they have always wanted to create but could not have before due to the lack of money in comparison to big production studios.

What do these tools mean for the future of Hollywood entertainment and for independent artists working in the industry? 

I think that these tools will shrink Hollywood immensely. Instead of having a big production team, it will be a small group of artists working with AI to create, edit, film and distribute movies. I also think that independent artists will be able to produce their own movies by learning how to work with AI tools. Big production studios and Warner Brothers, Paramount and Universal Pictures will have to compete with smaller production teams as it will make the process for creating a movie a lot easier and cheaper, allowing independent artists to compete with these studios. I think this will level the playing field for smaller artist teams.

What are your thoughts on the risks and opportunities of AI Cinema? What do these tools mean for the future of Hollywood entertainment and for independent artists working in the industry? 

I love movies and cinema. When I first thought about the risk AI could present to the cinema world, I did not care much. In my opinion, I don’t care much of how a movie is made as long as it is entertaining. But then I really started to think about it. If Everyone started to use AI to make movies then there is a possibility they might stop using film techniques that I love.

Things like practical effects and stop motion animation could become a lost art. Little things and trivia that gives films character could be lost. For example that scene from Raiders of the last Ark, where Harrison Ford asked the directors to change a scene because he had diarrhea. That scene is a classic.

There has to be a limit on how AI is used. AI tools can help in the development of making a movie but the creative choices need to made by a person with a certain image in mind. AI can help with with organizational things like pre-production: location scouting, scheduling, budgeting. It can also be used to for artistic things like how a camera angle should be shot or how the lighting should be. AI can also be used for story telling. You should only use AI to generate and develop your own stories not to make an entire new one.

My hope is that if Hollywood and other film makers begin to use AI tools it can help them produce movies faster and more efficiently. I don’t want to wait five years just to see a sequel of my favorite movie.

Click HERE to view the exciting world of Thera.

My Reflections on the Dawn of AI Cinema: A Personal Journey Through Opportunity and Caution

As I contemplate the vast, unfolding narrative that is the digital age, my perception of artificial intelligence (AI) entering the cinema space is both exhilarating and filled with apprehension. Standing at this crossroads, I find myself pondering the implications for Hollywood and independent artists alike, navigating through a terrain rich with potential yet fraught with uncertainties. The journey ahead, as I see it, is complex, embodying the dual nature of AI as both a catalyst for creative liberation and a challenge to the essence of artistic originality.

The Dual Edges of AI in My View

The insights provided by The Guardian into AI’s impact on the film industry light up a path that I see brimming with potential: from enhancing scriptwriting to refining post-production, AI promises a more streamlined and economically viable filmmaking process. Yet, beneath this surface of innovation, I sense a deeper current of concern among those who are the lifeblood of cinematic storytelling. The mixed feelings expressed by industry insiders resonate with me, highlighting a tension between the excitement of overcoming creative barriers with AI and the fear of diminishing human involvement. This dichotomy lies at the heart of cinema, which, in my eyes, is an inherently human art form.

My Vision for the Future of Hollywood and Independent Creativity

For Hollywood, I believe the integration of AI signals a transformative era where filmmaking becomes more efficient and tailored, potentially heralding a new golden age of cinema that resonates on a personal level with audiences worldwide. However, this optimistic vision is shadowed by concerns over AI’s capacity to independently generate content, which could undermine the role of human creativity.

Conversely, I view AI as offering a beacon of hope for independent artists. It’s a tool that democratizes the filmmaking process, allowing a wider array of voices to share their stories. Here lies AI’s true promise to me: the potential to elevate human creativity, enabling a richer diversity of narratives that reflect the vast spectrum of human experience more than ever before.

My Approach Moving Forward: Balancing AI with Creativity and Caution

As we venture into the realm of AI cinema, I believe it’s crucial to approach this new frontier with both optimism and caution. The apprehensions of actors, writers, and creators about AI’s impact on their work and the authenticity of their craft are not just warranted but vital to the discourse on cinema’s future.

Moving forward, I advocate for a collaborative strategy, one that leverages AI to augment rather than replace human creativity. By involving creative minds in the development and application of AI, we can aspire to a cinematic landscape that remains vibrant and dynamic, rooted in human experience yet limitless in its potential for exploring new stories, perspectives, and worlds.

In my eyes, the journey of AI in cinema is a testament to the indomitable spirit of human creativity. It serves as a reminder that art, in all its forms, is an expression of our shared humanity, something no technology can duplicate or diminish. As I navigate this new era, I commit to exploring with an open mind and ensuring that cinema continues to be a domain where technology enriches creativity, where narratives are conveyed with depth and feeling, and where the human heart remains at the core of every story.

What are your thoughts on the risks and opportunities of AI Cinema? What do these tools mean for the future of Hollywood entertainment and for independent artists working in the industry? 

——————————————————————————————

AI is a very powerful tool which can cut out hours of work in all aspects of Cinematography. That power, although helpful to the industry, can and likely will result in many people losing their jobs. I believe that will be a temporary issue though, because although AI is very powerful it cannot replicate the human mind. There isn’t human thought or emotion behind the AI’s actions and until we are able to fully replicate a human brain in a AI that issue will remain the same.

The various ways in which people think, communicate, and interact are all too independent to be replicated consistently. Those same people who lost their jobs to AI will likely use it to create their own independent content. AI will become an industry standard tool which everyone around the world will use to create new media.

AI’s involvement in Hollywood is a topic that has sparked both excitement and concern among actors, writers, and audiences. Recent articles have highlighted various perspectives on this issue, revealing a complex landscape of hopes, fears, and uncertainties. One of the primary concerns raised by actors and writers is the fear that AI might eventually take over their roles. This fear is understandable, as AI technologies continue to advance, showing remarkable capabilities in various fields. However, it’s essential to recognize that AI’s role in creative industries like Hollywood is still evolving and that its current capabilities are limited.

While some may fear the potential threat of AI, there is also recognition of the positive contributions it can make. AI has the potential to enhance the creative process, offering new tools and techniques that can help artists and filmmakers bring their visions to life in innovative ways. Despite these advancements, AI is not yet capable of expressing a wide range of human emotions. This limitation is crucial, as human emotions play a significant role in storytelling and performance. While AI can analyze data and mimic certain emotional cues, it lacks the depth of human emotion. This limitation underscores the importance of actors and writers in maintaining the human element in films, ensuring that stories resonate with audiences on a deeper level.

However, some argue that actors and writers are not fully leveraging their unique contributions to films. While AI can assist in various aspects of production, including generating dialogue or suggesting story ideas, it cannot replace the creativity, intuition, and personal experiences that actors and writers bring to their work. These human elements are what make films compelling and relatable, highlighting the irreplaceable value of human creativity in storytelling. Moreover, the fact that AI is not able to express human emotion has led some people to be less fearful of its progress. Understanding that AI is fundamentally different from human intelligence and emotion helps to demystify its capabilities and limitations, fostering a more realistic view of its potential impact.

It’s essential to recognize that AI should be seen as its entity, separate from human actors and writers. While AI can enhance and complement human creativity, it should not be seen as a replacement for human talent. Instead, AI should be viewed as a tool that can expand the creative possibilities in Hollywood and other creative industries, offering new avenues for storytelling and expression. In conclusion, AI’s involvement in Hollywood presents both opportunities and challenges for actors, writers, and audiences. While there are legitimate concerns about AI’s potential to replace human roles, there is also recognition of its potential to enhance creativity and storytelling. By understanding AI’s current limitations and embracing its potential as a creative tool, Hollywood can continue to evolve and innovate, creating new and exciting experiences for audiences around the world.

Cruston’s Odyssey: A Crab’s Tale in Techno-Tide

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PSDkrKZf12v89RBMnncfgn1TSbkEK19JwUL9nGfPjKw/edit?usp=sharing

This project with ChatGPT was an engaging experience. Initially, I requested the narrative; establishing a foundational story makes it easier for the AI tool to progress to character development. After solidifying the storyline, I focused on crafting the world and setting the scenes. I desired an aerial perspective of this world to showcase each scene, though sometimes the AI’s labeling was not accurate. Once I found an image that resonated with me, I began defining the characters’ appearances. My vision was to create a whimsical, almost fairy-tale-like aesthetic rather than a realistic one. For the main character, Cruston, I wanted to add a more animated feel, prompting GPT to give him bubbly eyes. I encountered several challenges with the jellyfish initially, as the AI persistently rendered a cartoonish look suited for a children’s book, which I disliked and found mismatched with the theme I was aiming for.