As a long-time admirer of Andy Serkis’ work, I find his recent stance on AI in Hollywood truly enlightening. Much like how he breathed life into iconic characters like Gollum and Caesar, he now sees this controversial technology as another form of magic that deserves our understanding and acceptance.
In the ongoing battle against AI’s role in Hollywood films, Andy Serkis, renowned director of the upcoming Lord of the Rings movie ‘The Hunt for Gollum’, has joined the ranks of those who find it intriguing. Known for his portrayal of characters using motion capture technology, a technological breakthrough he believes actors have taken time to accept as another form of magic.
Andy Serkis’ remarks were made following his participation on a panel at the UK’s Labour Party conference in Liverpool (as reported by Deadline). During this event, he shared insights on the benefits and drawbacks of AI. While some have expressed concerns about its application in films, Serkis views these apprehensions as stemming from fear. In essence, he refers to AI as a “tool that is not fully understood,” much like how the internet was perceived before it became integrated into our daily routines.
This new type of magic, while awe-inspiring, is causing fear among many. Even giant VFX companies can’t compete with what individuals are achieving in their home studios. It’s often misunderstood, maligned, and compared to other technologies that were once feared, like the internet, as if it would bring about doom for all.
In much the same way as many others, Serkis expresses concern about AI potentially endangering the careers of actors if proper regulations aren’t implemented. He sees some similarities between this technology and motion capture, suggesting that it may take a while for people to grow accustomed to it. However, he strongly advocates for equitable remuneration for performers whose likenesses are employed in the creation of AI content.
It’s been a while for actors to grasp the concept of wearing costumes or makeup and simply performing their usual acts, all while being enclosed in a special suit. To legally capitalize on their work appropriately, we require necessary approvals.
Andy Serkis Teases New AI Project
About a decade since the completion of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy in 2003, Serkis established The Imaginarium Studios together with producer Jonathan Cavendish. Initially focused on refining motion capture technology to bring lifelike characters to life, the studio is now shifting its focus towards Artificial Intelligence to delve deeper into its potential. The initial project they are working on involves a tale that Serkis hints at as having a “storyline-driven narrative.” It starts with 2D animation and then progresses into an “augmented reality” world, populated by AI characters.
In this scenario, he implies that those characters are created by artists and filmmakers to preserve an element of human-like qualities. Given Andy Serkis’ interest in artificial intelligence before the commencement of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, it raises the question: Could he potentially integrate such advanced technology into the movie? Considering the extensive use of CGI under Peter Jackson’s guidance, and with Serkis now at the helm, it’s plausible to think that he might. Notably, Jackson, who still serves as a producer on the film, has shown no reluctance towards technology, given his own employment of it in his 2021 docuseries The Beatles: Get Back.
At the moment, we can only anticipate the outcome as things unfold, but given Andy Serkis’ eagerness to explore AI, there’s a possibility that it might be utilized in some way for the upcoming Lord of the Rings film. Whether this could potentially delay its release is currently speculation, as we don’t have concrete information yet. As production progresses and moves nearer to its 2026 release date, we’ll share more updates on the project.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-09-23 20:01