A Q&A with Mark Murphy – #5 – Film and TV Director
Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another installment of our Q&A sessions with Mark Murphy, the esteemed movie director. In this session, we delve into the fascinating topic of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the movie industry. There’s been a lot of curiosity and speculation around this subject, and today, Mark shares his insights and opinions. Let’s jump right in!
The Impact of AI on the Movie Industry
According to Mark, the integration of AI into filmmaking is set to revolutionise the industry, comparable to the transition from film to digital. He emphasises that change, while often accompanied by fear, also brings along significant opportunities.
“Every time there’s change, there’s panic, but also when there’s change, there’s opportunities.”
Mark believes this technological leap offers a chance to push the boundaries of filmmaking further, and at a more competitive price. Instead of relying on prolonged committee decisions and extensive artist work, AI allows instant results by inputting a few keywords.
The Time Efficiency of AI
One of the major benefits of AI in filmmaking is the time efficiency it offers. Mark explains that traditional methods for creating visuals, like film posters, involved lengthy processes and high costs. Now, with AI tools such as ChatGPT, filmmakers can generate multiple poster ideas within moments.
From Weeks to Seconds
Traditionally, creating a film poster involved agencies and weeks of waiting for design suggestions. With AI, directors like Mark can promptly generate a selection of ideas, significantly reducing both the time and cost involved.
The Producer’s Perspective vs. The Designer’s Concerns
From a producer’s viewpoint, AI is a game-changer. It offers cost efficiency and swift results — something every producer dreams of. However, Mark acknowledges that this change might feel like a threat to designers. Despite this, he advocates that designers can also utilise AI to enhance their time and cost efficiency.
“There are going to be, things are going to change, but there’s always going to be an opportunity for others to find a way for it to benefit them as well.”
The Actor’s Dilemma with AI
The impact of AI on actors is a bit more complex. While AI can’t replace an actor’s presence on screen, it poses a threat to ADR (Additional Dialogue Recording) work, a significant revenue source for many actors. AI’s ability to replicate voices can greatly reduce the need for ADR, potentially cutting down actors’ earnings from these tasks.
Mark shares anecdotes from films like Flash Gordon (1980) and Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan (1985), where significant portions of dialogue were dubbed by other actors. AI could now replicate these voices seamlessly, posing a significant threat to these opportunities for actors.
The Precautionary Agreements
To safeguard actors’ interests, agreements have been put in place, ensuring studios cannot replicate an actor’s voice without permission or compensation. This adds a layer of security for actors, ensuring they remain compensated for their contributions, even if AI is utilised for ADR.
“The studios will not be allowed to replicate an actor’s voice either without their permission or without compensation.”
The Evolution of AI in Filmmaking
Mark points out that despite the fears surrounding AI, its current capabilities are still in their infancy. While AI can create photorealistic still images, its application in motion pictures is still limited. For instance, creating a fully AI-generated film or complex motion shots is not yet within its capabilities.
Early Days and Experimental Phases
Mark suggests exploring AI-generated content, like the 1950s-style Star Wars trailer, which uses AI to create still images with minor movements. However, these are far from the complex dynamic shots required in filmmaking today.
Creativity Unleashed with AI
Despite these limitations, Mark sees great potential in integrating AI into filmmaking processes to enhance creativity and production efficiency. For instance, AI can be a valuable tool in generating supplementary content for trailers or providing quick visual representations of conceptual ideas without extensive costs.
Historical Context and AI’s Role
Using George Lucas’s work on Star Wars as an example, Mark illustrates how AI could have transformed the filmmaking process back then. Lucas faced challenges in creating the final visual effects for the Death Star battle, resorting to using Second World War aerial footage. Today, AI could generate preliminary models and animated representations, making the visualisation process smoother and less disjointed.
“AI could have filled in those missing pieces by coming up with something that makes sense to the viewer’s mind.”
AI in the Pitching Process
AI can also play a crucial role in pitching films to financiers and studios by providing preliminary visualisations that help convey complex ideas more effectively than traditional methods.
Embracing AI for Future Filmmakers
Mark advises aspiring filmmakers to embrace AI for its potential to democratise filmmaking. With AI, even filmmakers with limited budgets can create compelling visual content, leveling the playing field and offering opportunities to showcase their talents.
“This makes it even more so. That’s evolution, that’s progress.”
The Multifaceted Role of AI in Filmmaking
While AI brings numerous opportunities, it also requires a nuanced understanding and expertise. Creating AI-generated content involves multiple steps and isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Understanding these processes will be essential for filmmakers to leverage AI effectively.
Conclusion: Embrace the Change
In closing, Mark encourages filmmakers to study and embrace AI, as it will continue to reshape the industry. While there are challenges and adjustments, AI’s potential to make filmmaking cheaper, more efficient, and accessible is undeniable.
“Embrace it and make it work for you is what I’d say.”
Mark’s insights underscore the transformative potential of AI in filmmaking, urging the industry to harness these advancements wisely and creatively. As we step into this new era, the possibilities are boundless, and the future of filmmaking looks incredibly exciting.