The future is AI animation
Toonkel, J. (2024, November 19). New AI entertainment studio gets backing from Peter Chernin, Andreessen Horowitz. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/business/media/new-ai-entertainment-studio-gets-backing-from-peter-chernin-andreessen-horowitz-8c840236
A new AI-powered entertainment studio, Promise, is diving headfirst into the generative AI revolution, backed by Peter Chernin and tech investor Andreessen Horowitz. Unlike Hollywood’s hesitant toe-dipping into AI for minor tasks, Promise plans to replace the whole creative process with algorithms.
Co-founded by ex-YouTube execs George Strompolos and Jamie Byrne, along with AI artist Dave Clark, the studio is developing Muse, proprietary software that will handle everything from concept to production. Within three years, they aim to churn out films, shows, and interactive content, all while sidestepping the pesky issues of human labor.
Meanwhile, traditional studios like Warner Bros. and Disney tread carefully, wary of AI’s potential. But as AI democratizes filmmaking, experts predict that Hollywood’s elite may soon ditch the old system, funding their own AI-driven projects instead of begging studios for money.
Toonkel, J. (2024, September 18). Lionsgate, studio behind ‘John Wick,’ signs deal with AI startup Runway. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/business/media/lionsgate-studio-behind-john-wick-signs-deal-with-ai-startup-runway-f2180245
Lionsgate, the studio behind John Wick and The Hunger Games, has struck a deal with AI startup Runway, handing over its film library in exchange for a custom AI model. The AI will first tackle storyboarding and special effects, with execs hoping to blow things up digitally instead of financially.
After cautiously avoiding AI (thanks to last year’s union strikes), Hollywood is now scrambling to cash in. Michael Burns of Lionsgate boasts that AI will save the studio “millions and millions”, proving once again that in Hollywood, cutting costs beats artistic integrity.
While lawsuits over AI training loom, Lionsgate is betting on the bots, eyeing a future where even low-budget films get AI-generated explosions.