Experts debate AI’s limitations and future impact on the filmmaking process at SIGGRAPH
- Current AI Tools Are Limited: Generative AI systems are not yet capable of producing fully finished film scenes or VFX shots; they still require significant human input and control.
- AI Democratizes Opportunities: While AI tools open doors for new voices in the filmmaking industry, access alone doesn’t guarantee high-quality production.
- Future Entertainment Genres: Experts predict AI could lead to entirely new forms of entertainment that blend video games, film, and interactive storytelling.
As artificial intelligence continues to advance rapidly, filmmakers are beginning to explore its potential to revolutionize the art of cinema and television production. During a panel discussion at the SIGGRAPH conference in Denver, prominent voices from the visual effects (VFX) and filmmaking industries, including Nikola Todorovic (Wonder Dynamics), Freddy Chavez Olmos (Boxel Studio), and Michael Black (Max Planck Institute), discussed how AI could reshape the creative process.
While current generative AI models demonstrate impressive capabilities in image and video generation, the experts agreed that these tools are far from a one-click solution for filmmaking. Instead, AI is more likely to influence the industry over time, with long-term changes potentially going beyond what we can currently imagine.
AI’s Current Limitations in Filmmaking
One of the central topics of the panel was the gap between the public perception of AI tools and their real-world utility in filmmaking today. Nikola Todorovic, co-founder of Wonder Dynamics, pointed out that AI is often seen as a magical tool that can instantly produce fully polished visual effects or complete film scenes. However, this perception is far from the truth. “The idea that AI is going to give you a final VFX shot with the click of a button is impossible,” Todorovic said. The reality is that while AI can assist in certain aspects of production, it still requires extensive input, tweaking, and creativity from human artists and technicians.
Michael Black added that language-based systems, which rely on text prompts to generate visuals, struggle to capture complex and nuanced motions or behaviors. He explained that while humans can effortlessly communicate certain visual or physical actions through their bodies, translating these actions into words for AI is challenging. “There’s a biological reason we don’t have words for all of our motions,” Black noted, suggesting that while AI-generated content is becoming more sophisticated, it remains hampered by the limitations of language and the complexity of human behavior.
The Democratization of Filmmaking: Opportunities and Risks
While AI’s current role in filmmaking may be limited, its potential to democratize the industry is becoming more apparent. Freddy Chavez Olmos, a VFX artist from Boxel Studio, discussed how AI could lower barriers for filmmakers who have traditionally been excluded from the industry due to geography or financial constraints. “I had to leave Mexico because I had no opportunities there,” he said. “Now, AI is creating opportunities for people who don’t need to relocate to major filmmaking hubs like Los Angeles.”
However, Black cautioned against the assumption that AI tools will immediately lead to better filmmaking. He argued that access to AI tools doesn’t guarantee quality output, comparing it to giving someone a powerful car without the necessary skills to drive it. “People say everyone’s going to be making films, but most of them will be bad,” he said bluntly. AI may empower more creators, but the number of truly skilled filmmakers will likely remain small.
A Glimpse Into the Future of Entertainment
While AI is still finding its footing in filmmaking, the panelists predicted that its true potential may lie in creating new genres of entertainment. Black suggested that the real power of AI could lead to the creation of hybrid experiences that blend elements of video games, films, and real-life interaction. “I think we’re going to see an entirely new genre of entertainment,” he said. This new form of storytelling may go beyond the passive consumption of movies and shows, allowing audiences to actively participate in the narrative.
Chavez Olmos echoed this sentiment, predicting that AI-generated films could soon become mainstream, albeit with some initial resistance. He likened the reception of AI films to early reactions to full CGI films like Final Fantasy and The Polar Express — films that were visually groundbreaking but didn’t quite resonate with audiences in the same way live-action films did. “People will accept AI films eventually, but it’s going to take some time,” he said, suggesting that audiences may have to overcome their skepticism about AI-generated characters and visuals before fully embracing them.
At the same time, Black emphasized that while AI has the potential to create powerful stories and experiences, the human element in filmmaking will remain irreplaceable. He pointed to Pixar as an example of a studio that emphasizes story and heart over technical perfection, suggesting that audiences will continue to crave the authenticity that comes with human actors and filmmakers. “There’s something about knowing that a real human is behind the performance,” Black said, adding that while AI-generated films may offer exciting new possibilities, they won’t fully replace the traditional moviegoing experience anytime soon.
AI is beginning to make waves in the world of filmmaking, but experts agree that the technology is still in its infancy. While AI tools open the door for more creators to get involved in the industry, their current limitations mean that high-quality, fully AI-generated films are not yet a reality. However, as AI continues to develop, the film industry could see the emergence of entirely new forms of interactive entertainment that blur the lines between movies, games, and real life. For now, the focus remains on how AI can assist human filmmakers in telling stories, but the future may hold opportunities far beyond what anyone can currently imagine.