Robert Zemeckis’ new film “Here”, starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, uses artificial intelligence to depict the main characters at various ages from 18 to 80. AI-powered visual effects company Metaphysic created digital masks of the actors that could be applied to their faces in real-time during filming, enabling the filmmakers to see the de-aging effects live on set and adjust performances accordingly. Writer Devin Gordon explains in his article in the New York Times that while AI is causing anxiety in Hollywood over potential job losses, many filmmakers see it as a powerful new creative tool that can help tell stories that would have been impossible or prohibitively expensive with traditional CGI.
Early AI adopters in Hollywood believe the technology is best suited for iterative creative tasks like brainstorming and concept visualization, rather than completely automating the filmmaking process. They argue AI will be a collaborative tool that empowers artists, not replaces them. While some jobs in animation and script development may be at risk, history suggests that disruptive technologies tend to impact movie studios and distribution channels more than the fundamental creative work of filmmakers and actors.