The AI Menace
When I first learned about the power of AI in film and video production, I was terrified. I spent over fifteen years producing videos, living the dream, my beautiful family and wonderful home secure in the sun-drenched valley flowing with milk and honey. But then there I was standing on the ridge, watching the AI horde fast approaching over the horizon – every warhorse foaming at the mouth, its riders eager to lay waste to my paradise.
I didn’t know what to make of it. The speed and force in which they approached was unfathomable. How the hell did we not prepare for this?
Fast forward a few years, and the horde has arrived. Well, perhaps not the entire horde. Let’s say just the forward elements, the scouts. We’ve seen some of the things that AI is capable of, but we haven’t seen it completely transform our industry yet. But again, it’s only a matter of time – perhaps just a handful of years – before the technology will be powerful enough to change film and video production as we know it.
But I’m no longer afraid…that much.
AI Liberation?
As with all innovation, there will be job loss. Perhaps entire professions will disappear. There will also be fewer collaborative situations and all the other great things that come with productions. But like all new technologies, there may be some good that ultimately follows an initial period of fear.
It might be like the Japanese following their nation’s surrender in World War 2. The civilian population must have been terrified. Many committed suicide rather than be subject to American “barbarism.” The Japanese government easily played to their fear of the unknown — the evil Americans would do horrible things; after all, that’s what victors did to the losers in all wars everywhere throughout history. But we know that things turned out ok for the Japanese. In fact, the Americans in many ways turned out to be liberators….
Okay, I acknowledge this is a terrible comparison. I shouldn’t touch sensitive things like that…so apologies, but I’m leaving it in because it’s the best way to convey what I’ve been feeling….
Anyway, the point is, there’s fear of the unknown but sometimes, things turn out ok.
In some ways, AI is liberation.
The Liberated Filmmaker
I’ll take off my hat as a video producer, and try and look through the perspective of a creative. I started out as a playwright and my dream was to be a screenwriter and filmmaker. Obviously, none of my screenplays got anywhere, which is why I’m here writing this, but I still feel I wrote some pretty good stories.
But I was dependent. For an aspiring filmmaker, you are at the mercy of a million different things. If you’re a novelist, you can write your book and self-publish it on Amazon. Maybe no one will ever read your book, but the work is out there. Even with all the advancements in camera technology and computer software, filmmakers still need money and/or a lot of good talented friends to realize their vision. Even then, the final movie probably won’t be as good as they wanted it.
So that’s the first liberation. Once AI technology is there, you no longer need a producer, studio, crew, actors, editors, composers, etc, etc. The only cost is your time, subscription fees, and maybe a few other minor expenses.
You also don’t have to deal with the politics of filmmaking and the Harvey Weinsteins of the world.
You don’t have to worry about racism, sexism, and all that other crap.
You don’t have to worry about labor law and regulations (at least not the ones that apply today).
You just have to focus on the craft. That is liberation.
Again, it seems to be a few years still before the technology is there, but the horde is moving faster than anyone could imagine.
As a producer and creative, I’m no longer terrified. Come on down, let’s dance…