Post Super Update - 19th March 24

 

Soooo... without further ado, let's delve into the evolving landscape of post-production in the entertainment industry, particularly with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). As we explore this transformative technology, we're witnessing a shift from novelty to practical application, with promising real-world implications. We promise you that everything written is current when it was written, but please use this newsletter as a starting point only - Your facilities & experts should be able to guide you further about what will be correct for your projects.

 

 

AI is making waves in the realm of pre-production, particularly in script breakdown and concept art development. AI-powered tools are streamlining the process of analyzing scripts, identifying key elements such as characters, locations, and props, and generating comprehensive breakdowns with unprecedented speed and accuracy. This not only saves valuable time for production teams but also provides a solid foundation for planning and budgeting. By leveraging AI in pre-production, filmmakers can visualize their creative vision more efficiently, fostering collaboration and innovation from the earliest stages of development. Post Super have reached out to a couple of the companies we have heard about to see if they can integrate some post production script breakdown into their tools in order that we can make this a tool that we can utilise like everyone else.

 

 

AI-powered editing tools are revolutionizing the creative process by automating repetitive tasks and providing insightful suggestions. This allows editors to focus more on the artistic aspects of storytelling, rather than getting bogged down in technical details. While some tools are still in the experimental stage, others such as text based editing (Using AI to do auto transcriptions) are making significant strides in simplifying tasks, thereby increasing productivity and the speed that edits can be done. Both Avid and Adobe have their own versions of this, these obviously still need checking at the moment but as the technology gets better we will be able to rely on them more. In addition to the text based editing there has also been some big advancements made in terms of syncing rushes and minor process work behind the scenes. We are still waiting to see how effective these will be but with the speed of AI technology we don't think it will be long before these will be genuinely useful tools.

 

 

The realm of visual effects has already seen significant advancements thanks to AI and ML technologies. While initially embraced by amateur content creators, AI-driven tools are now finding their place in professional workflows. These tools offer precision and efficiency in tasks such as image upscaling, restoration, and rotoscoping, enhancing the quality and speed of post-production processes. We will start to see a lot of coming technologies, especially with elements such as virtual production. One of the presentations Gemma saw at HPA was on Cuebric - An all-in-one tool for filmmakers that lets them generate, segment, inpaint, edit, and upscale any landscape they wish to see on set in a Virtual Production environment... Sounds incredible but it already exists & can be achieved at a fraction of the timescale we need with current workflows. Traditional VFX is also changing with many companies starting to implement AI & ML tools within their workflows to speed up various parts of the processes. The key thing with this is that these are creative TOOLS that can be used, NOT a replacement for the VFX artists themselves.

 

 

The concept of AI-generated content has garnered considerable attention, with potential applications ranging from scriptwriting to character animation. While challenges such as algorithmic bias and ethical considerations persist, there's undeniable excitement surrounding the possibilities. Software like Sora exemplify the potential for AI to augment human creativity, but it is such a leap that it is still being developed. Gemma saw a lot of presentations at HPA of people training their own private AI's to create content which was private to their companies - for example Paramount have been testing text based prompts of Adobe's Firefly product to enable them to create Spongebob Square Pants imagery. This will be a short leap to video content when the technology allows. There was also some clever use of music generation. Gemma saw a HPA demo of a composer who had been training an AI model on her own music & so was able to produce AI generated music that sounded like her own... Lots of us can see how this could be incredibly useful for temp music, generating music which sounds like the composer we want to eventually use... but also we need to tread carefully as there are huge ethical considerations in this. More below.

 

 

As we embrace the opportunities presented by AI in post-production, it's crucial to remain mindful of the ethical implications and technological limitations. While AI tools can enhance efficiency and creativity, they must be employed responsibly to ensure fair representation and prevent the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. We have just had almost 2/3 of 2023 wiped out by strikes, the last thing we want to do is upset anyone else right now. Additionally, ongoing research and development are necessary to address technical challenges and maximize the potential of AI in the industry. Finally we should say that there are currently significant legal implications for use of AI, most people think that the NYTimes vs OpenAI case will be pivotal in this story but it's also worth noting that an image generated by AI cannot currently be copyrighted.

 

Understandably lots of the major companies are shying away from even mentioning AI & ML being part of our workflows but as we all continue to strive for better/quicker/faster, it is worth knowing the tools that are emerging in order that we can use the ones that work for us. As we look to the future, it's clear that AI will continue to play a significant role in shaping the landscape of film and television post-production. While the road ahead may present challenges, it also offers immense opportunities for innovation and artistic expression. By embracing AI with caution, curiosity, and a commitment to ethical practice, we can unlock new dimensions of creativity and storytelling in the digital age. The one thing that everyone at HPA seemed to agree on was that the quality of the storyteller was paramount, if you put bad information into AI tools, you get a bad result, but conversely if you give the AI tool to an experienced creative/filmmaker, they can get some incredible results.

 

PLEASE REMEMBER - AI will not take your job, but it is worth knowing more about the subject so that you can use it wisely...

 

We will continue to signpost further developments but until then, if you want to subscribe to any of the below blogs you will be kept updated...

 

 https://www.youtube.com/@TheoreticallyMedia

 

 https://curiousrefuge.com/

Trevanna London!

 

We celebrated with Trevanna last week for their 5 year anniversary in London! Thank you for having us Trevanna, we had a great time!

Mission Digital

 

We would like to take this opportunity to mention & thank our wonderful sponsor Mission Digital (and a specific call out to Joe Mackenzie!) for the ongoing support in helping us to bring exclusive content & much needed training to our members. We look forward to continuing to work together on new & exciting projects to benefit this growing community of Post Supers...

Fable Studios have joined our Post Production Directory! 

 

Check our their listing here!

Fable Studios have joined our Post Production Directory! 

 

Check our their listing on the link here!

Have a great week Post Supers!

 

The Post Super team x