Film director Paul Schrader recently asked on Facebook whether Dune 3 would be made by artificial intelligence (AI) and, if so, how it would be known. His question highlights a growing debate among film enthusiasts about the role of AI in filmmaking.
Schrader is not alone in his skepticism. Many feel that Hollywood has shifted towards producing sleek, antiseptic images devoid of personality, qualities often associated with human creativity. The answer lies in generative AIs, which “train” on existing troves of man-made images. Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two seemed to embody this trend.
However, the AI Film Festival, held in New York, sought to showcase the potential of these tools. Founded by Runway, a $10 billion startup offering image and video generators for human imagination, the festival featured 10 short films from emerging filmmakers. While the quality varied, some standout pieces explored innovative themes and styles.
One filmmaker, Robert Pietri, praised the festival’s ability to push boundaries and create something unique. However, not everyone shared his enthusiasm. Cinephiles expressed concern that AI-generated art lacks authenticity, as if it’s merely an impersonation of real films made by humans.
The debate surrounding AI in filmmaking raises questions about its impact on creativity, skill, and talent. Troy Petermann, a 15-year-old aspiring filmmaker, views AI as a threat to human innovation. “AI is definitely an innovation,” he says. “But innovation is the drug of humanity. We never know how to stop when it goes too far.”
As the lines between humans and machines blur, the future of filmmaking hangs in the balance. Will AI-generated art become just another tool within the creative process, or will it fundamentally change the way we make movies?
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/cream-of-the-slop-an-ai-film-festival-screening-left-me-with-more-questions-than-answers