As a seasoned film enthusiast with over three decades of immersion in the ever-evolving world of cinema, I find myself deeply appreciative of the bold stance taken by directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods in their latest A24 horror film, “Heretic.” In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being utilized to cut costs and expedite production processes, it’s refreshing to see a film that proudly declares its human touch.
Viewers who watch the movie “Heretic” may wonder why there’s an end-credit disclaimer stating, “No artificial intelligence was used in the creation of this film.” The directors, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, decided to include this remark for a particular reason within their recent horror production by A24.
Known primarily for penning “A Quiet Place”, directors Beck and Woods have also previously worked on films such as “Haunt” and “65” featuring Adam Driver in a dinosaur-themed thriller. In their latest production, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East portray Mormon missionaries who encounter Hugh Grant’s character, Mr. Reed, at his home. It quickly becomes apparent that Mr. Reed harbors malicious intentions towards them.
Even though “Heretic” has a limited scope, its release coincides with an increasing dialogue about incorporating generative AI in films, sparked by studios advocating for this technology. The filmmakers, Beck and Woods, explained to Variety why they chose to include a disclaimer in “Heretic”, informing viewers that no AI-generated images were used in the movie.
In a conversation with Variety, Woods stated, “We aren’t under the impression that viewers of Heretic will immediately think, ‘This must have been made using generative AI.’ However, we felt it was crucial to address this topic because we believe it’s a discussion that needs to be initiated.
Woods didn’t hold back on his feelings for AI, calling it “an algorithm jumbling a bunch of s–t together and then spitting it out as art. It’s not human, and it’s borderline theft on some level.” While acknowledging the technology is impressive in isolation, he does not want to see any more of it. Woods said, “AI is an amazing technology. Beautiful things will come of it, and it’s jaw-dropping. What is being created with generative AI and video … it’s amazing we could create that technology. Now let’s bury it underground with nuclear warheads, cause it might kill us all.”
Regarding broader patterns in the industry, Woods openly discussed that the primary drivers behind the investment in AI are financially-driven, rather than stemming from artistic considerations. In other words, Woods stated that the decisions made within the industry to support AI are primarily influenced by financial gains, not creative intentions.
“I find it questionable that an algorithm can gather and reuse all historical data, artworks, and other human creations available online to generate profits without any legal issues. I believe it’s crucial for us to discuss the significance of human involvement in art, commerce, and every aspect of our lives. The rapid advancement of technology could lead to automation replacing most jobs worldwide within a short span. This trend is particularly evident in the arts industry, where decisions are often driven by financial gain rather than artistic development.
As the moment arrived to unveil the title card, I could sense A24’s support. During a conversation about the potential threats AI poses for the movie business in the future, Beck made note of this very fact.
From what we know, they’re completely comfortable with this situation. They’re an exceptionally artist-oriented studio, as the term suggests. It’s more like a community where you collaborate with fellow humans, rather than dealing with machines or algorithms. The human element they uphold is something we admire greatly.
2024 Has Been a Troubling Year for Studios Embracing AI
2024 praising A24 for their disclaimer about AI involvement in Beck and Woods’ project is understandable, given the recent industry turmoil surrounding AI usage. However, it seems that this move might be a precautionary measure following the controversy over AI-generated artwork in films like Civil War. This year has seen numerous problematic instances of AI integration in the film industry. For instance, the critically acclaimed movie Late Night with the Devil suffered a tarnished reputation due to AI art in its production. Controversy also erupted when horror studio Blumhouse announced their partnership with Meta for AI-driven films. Even Disney, a major player, is delving into AI, but the future is uncertain now that Marvel’s Doctor Doom, Robert Downey Jr., has publicly expressed opposition to AI likenesses of himself.
Real public fears about AI have led to unintended consequences: filmmakers who don’t use the technology are being accused of using it due to its perceived prevalence. A24’s The Legend of Ochi was accused of using AI to create its title character, and the film’s director, Isaiah Saxon, had to clarify that no AI was used in the movie. Despite being a central point in the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023, generative AI is a dangerous and troubling technology that the studios are pushing forward as a way to save money. Heretic might not be the biggest movie released in 2024, but its commitment to informing the audience that its filmmakers didn’t use generative AI is an important time capsule for this moment that also draws attention to the many talented artists who did work to bring the A24 thriller to life.
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2024-11-05 00:03