AI In The Creative Space

1. Use AI With Caution!

The recent discussion on AI in the film industry by UK IPG head Leigh Ariana Trifari was impactful, and Leigh has been approached to speak on the topic again by concerned industry groups. (Leigh’s presentation will be available soon on our YouTube channel!)

AI though is here to stay. As people whose very reason for being is to create ideas with impact, AI can be a useful tool. But you do need to understand what it is. We will have an ongoing discussion on this topic. Today though I illustrate one of the most important issues in “generative” AI: “generative” does not mean it creates anything from scratch. It means it takes something it has seen before, and tries to vary it. Therefore: 1. what AI generates is dictated by what it has been trained upon. (2) Everything it “generates” is a variation of that dataset. In other words (3) By definition, AI generated literature and art are derived and copied from existing work.

For use as an idea machine for your original expressions, generative AI is great. But if you actually use it and claim credit as if you did it, you risk a copyright infringement lawsuit, and at best, the work you claim is yours is by definition average, overused and copied. So if you read AI generated literature and think it original - check your own knowledge and skills in writing.

Here’s a graphic example of some of these issues. Below is an image I asked Google’s Gemini to create, based upon the topic of Director As Facilitator. Honestly, the image isn’t bad as far as it goes and it is useful as illustration (but not art). However, there are some obvious issues which are inherent in generative AI. Look closely at the left side, and then compare to the right side.

A quick view, and it looks fine. One the right though, outlined in RED, notice the (now infamous) issues with unnatural numbers and directions for hands and fingers. This is because the AI does not appreciate what is real or what is anatomy. It is only adapting as best it can what it has seen on other human images. Outlined In YELLOW reveals another issue. This person is the same person with small variation. It is not an original image. Obviously, the AI selected a suitable face for a male film crew person, and simply varies it. Consider this means that there are relatively few examples of males in its database. We should understand that it is doing the same for every other person in every other image it creates.

Skillful use of AI can help us create much more variety in our expression. Blind reliance on it will inevitably lead to less variety, less interesting expressions and less important art.

2. The Revolution Will Be Streamed (FilmPods Update)

FilmPods will be formally announced at the end of April. FilmPods and Digital Box Office are evolved from the IPG’s long-developed Direct To Audience Initiative. FilmPods revolutionize the film industry and put much, much more money in the hands if independent film creatives like you. Recipients of this newsletter can get advance information on the system, and possibly be permitted participation in the early seed capital round. Contact Shadow Dragu-Mihai for information.

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