Adam Savage's Issue With A.I.-Generated Art

Adam Savage’s Tested
16 Mar 202412:24

TLDRThe transcript discusses the complex feelings towards AI's role in filmmaking and its impact on the creative and commercial aspects. The speaker expresses fascination with AI's potential but also concern for its effect on employment and the lack of a personal 'point of view' in AI-generated art. The conversation also touches on the importance of passion and dedication in creating great films and the unpredictable nature of the artistic process.

Takeaways

  • 🤖 AI's increasing role in filmmaking is seen as both fascinating and complicated, with concerns about its impact on the creative process and employment.
  • 🎨 AI has the potential to refine the creative process by enabling rapid iteration, as illustrated by an AI's ability to generate numerous visual concepts compared to a human illustrator.
  • 📽️ The speaker is intrigued by AI's capabilities in text-to-video, but remains skeptical about its ability to replicate the unique point of view that human artists bring to their work.
  • 🌟 AI's presence in the credits of 'Secret Invasion' is noted, but the speaker feels that AI-generated visuals lack a distinct artistic vision.
  • 💡 Marvin Minsky's quote about the danger of AI hiding its intelligence is referenced, highlighting concerns about the implications of AI in various industries.
  • 💼 The commercial aspect of AI is criticized, with the speaker expressing frustration over the replacement of human jobs with AI, likening it to a bubble economy.
  • 🏆 The speaker worries that Hollywood's union negotiations did not adequately address the impact of AI, reflecting on the challenges of countering late-stage capitalism.
  • 🎥 AI's potential to enhance student films is acknowledged, but there's concern that Hollywood's replication of AI's novelty could dilute its impact.
  • 🧥 Film props often surprise in person due to their physicality and detail, which may not fully translate to camera, necessitating a more pronounced approach to weathering and detail.
  • 🥇 The biggest impact in portraying emotion in a film is a combination of factors including the actor's ability, script, score, and lighting, with a key element being a champion who believes in the project.
  • 🧠 The process of filmmaking is likened to an alchemy, with no formula for success, and the importance of a confluence of factors to create a truly great film is emphasized.

Q & A

  • What is J Delarosa's initial stance on the use of AI in filmmaking?

    -J Delarosa finds the idea of AI in filmmaking both fascinating and complicated. He acknowledges the potential benefits of AI in the creative process, such as the efficiency it brings to generating visual content, but also expresses concern about the lack of a personal point of view in AI-generated art.

  • How does the director J Delarosa had dinner with perceive the impact of AI on his creative process?

    -The director sees AI as a tool that makes his creative process more iterative. He appreciates that AI can produce hundreds of images a day compared to the limited output of a human illustrator, which accelerates and refines his work.

  • What is J Delarosa's main concern about AI-generated art?

    -J Delarosa's main concern is that AI-generated art lacks a personal point of view. He believes that the value of any piece of art lies in the mind and heart of the creator behind it, and he has yet to see AI exhibit a distinct and resonant point of view.

  • How does J Delarosa feel about the commercial implications of AI in industries?

    -J Delarosa is upset about the commercial implications of AI, particularly the potential for AI to replace human jobs. He sees this as a lazy approach that resembles a bubble and is critical of middle managers exploring ways to use AI to cut costs and reduce staff.

  • What does J Delarosa think about the role of a champion in creating a great film?

    -According to J Delarosa, every great film has at least one person who champions it. This champion is someone who believes in the film, takes it on themselves to ensure its creation, and brings it to life. This person's passion and dedication are crucial for a film to be great.

  • How does J Delarosa assess the quality of weathering on a film prop?

    -J Delarosa assesses the quality of weathering on a prop by examining it in person and using a camera to view the paint job. He believes that the camera is a great tool for assessing the flow and overall appearance of a weathering job, as it can reveal details that are not apparent to the naked eye.

  • What was J Delarosa's experience with the coat prop from Indiana Jones?

    -J Delarosa was surprised to find that most replicas of Indiana Jones' coat were heavier than the original. He mentioned that the actual coat used in Raiders of the Lost Ark was lightweight and that many produced coats failed to capture this aspect of the original prop.

  • What does J Delarosa believe is the biggest impact in portraying emotion in a film?

    -J Delarosa believes that the biggest impact in portraying emotion in a film comes from a confluence of factors, including the actor's ability, the script, the score, and the lighting. He also emphasizes the importance of having a champion for the film who ensures that it happens.

  • How does J Delarosa view the process of filmmaking?

    -J Delarosa views filmmaking as an alchemical process, a combination of various elements that come together to create something magical. He believes that there is no formula for creating great art and that it always involves a unique and unpredictable process of discovery.

  • What is J Delarosa's perspective on AI's potential in aesthetics?

    -While J Delarosa is less worried about AI's aesthetic impact, he is concerned about its implications for employment. He doubts that AI can show a distinct and particular point of view that resonates with him because AI is not a person, and he responds to human points of view, not machines.

  • How does J Delarosa describe the filmmaking process according to his conversation with Guillermo del Toro?

    -According to J Delarosa's conversation with Guillermo del Toro, filmmaking is unpredictable. Even if a filmmaker starts with a clear vision, the process often involves discovery and adaptation. Del Toro emphasized that a film's greatness is not guaranteed by a preconceived notion but by the passion and commitment of at least one person who champions the film.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 AI in Filmmaking: A Complicated Feeling

In this paragraph, J Delarosa discusses the complexities of AI's role in filmmaking. He shares an anecdote about a list director who appreciates AI for its ability to make the creative process more iterative, allowing for the generation of numerous visual ideas. Delarosa expresses his own fascination with AI and its potential in the industry. However, he also raises concerns about the lack of a distinct point of view in AI-generated art, emphasizing the importance of human creativity and emotion behind any piece of art. He further discusses the potential negative impacts of AI on employment in the film industry and the challenges of protecting against the exploitative tendencies of late-stage capitalism.

05:00

🎨 The Surprising Reality of Film Props

This paragraph delves into the world of film props, highlighting the surprises that come with seeing them in person. Delarosa shares his experiences with replicating K's coat and the靴子 he weathered, explaining how the camera captures less detail than the human eye, which impacts the creation of props. He discusses the importance of assessing the weathering on props through photography and shares his father's approach to evaluating paintings. The paragraph also touches on the lightweight nature of Indiana Jones' coat from Raiders and the abundance of replicas available. Delarosa concludes by discussing the elements that contribute to portraying emotions in a film, including the actor's ability, script, score, and lighting.

10:03

🎬 The Alchemy of Filmmaking and AI's Role

In the final paragraph, Delarosa reflects on the alchemy of filmmaking, drawing from his conversations with director Guillermo del Toro and his recent reading of Lee Enfield's book on The Shining. He challenges the narrative of Stanley Kubrick as a genius with a preconceived vision, instead portraying him as a master of creating circumstances for drama. Delarosa emphasizes that filmmaking is an unpredictable and magical process, often involving a champion who believes in the project. He reiterates his concerns about AI from an employment perspective but expresses a belief that AI will struggle to replicate the distinct human point of view in art. The paragraph concludes with a call to support the speaker's work and a mention of the perks available to members of his community.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI in filmmaking

AI in filmmaking refers to the use of artificial intelligence to assist or enhance various aspects of film production, such as visual effects, scriptwriting, or even acting. In the video, the speaker discusses the mixed feelings about AI's role in the creative process, noting its potential to streamline and refine the creation of visual elements but also expressing concern about the loss of human touch and the potential for AI to replace human jobs in the industry.

💡Emerging technologies

Emerging technologies are innovations that are relatively new and have the potential to significantly impact various fields, including the arts and entertainment. In the context of the video, the speaker is intrigued by the evolving role of AI and its applications in filmmaking, which is considered an emerging technology with transformative potential.

💡Creative process

The creative process refers to the steps and methods through which an artist or creator conceives and produces their work. In the video, the speaker acknowledges that AI can make the creative process more iterative and efficient but raises concerns about the potential loss of personal viewpoint and the unique human element in art.

💡Point of view

Point of view, in the context of art and storytelling, refers to the perspective or standpoint from which a narrative or artwork is presented. The speaker in the video emphasizes the importance of a human point of view in art, suggesting that AI-generated content may lack the emotional resonance and personal insight that come from a human creator.

💡Late-stage capitalism

Late-stage capitalism is a term used to describe a hypothetical era of capitalism characterized by increasing inequality, market saturation, and the commodification of more aspects of life. In the video, the speaker expresses frustration with the way late-stage capitalism encourages the replacement of human workers with AI to cut costs, viewing this as a venal and unsustainable practice.

💡Union negotiations

Union negotiations refer to the discussions and bargaining that take place between labor unions and employers to establish the terms and conditions of employment for workers. In the video, the speaker expresses concern that recent union negotiations in Hollywood did not adequately address the implications of AI on employment, suggesting that the industry is not fully prepared for the changes that AI may bring.

💡Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is the development of computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. In the video, the speaker discusses the growing presence of AI in various fields, including filmmaking, and reflects on its potential to both enhance and detract from the human creative experience.

💡Visual effects

Visual effects, or VFX, are the processes by which film artists create or manipulate images that do not exist in the live-action footage, often through computer-generated imagery (CGI). In the video, the speaker mentions the use of AI in creating visual effects and credits, noting that while the technology is impressive, it may lack the personal and artistic touch that makes visual storytelling compelling.

💡Film props

Film props are objects used by actors in a scene to help tell the story or create a realistic environment. In the video, the speaker shares insights into the nature of film props, noting that they are often dirtier and lighter than they appear on screen, and that the process of weathering and aging props is crucial to achieving authenticity in filmmaking.

💡Emotional portrayal

Emotional portrayal in film refers to the conveyance of feelings and moods by actors, supported by various cinematic elements like the script, score, and lighting. In the video, the speaker explores the factors that contribute to effectively portraying emotion on screen, emphasizing the importance of a dedicated champion who believes in the film's potential.

💡Alchemy

Alchemy, in a figurative sense, refers to the mysterious or magical process of transforming diverse elements into something valuable or extraordinary. In the context of the video, the speaker uses the term to describe the unpredictable and transformative nature of creating art, particularly in filmmaking, where success is not formulaic and relies on a combination of various factors.

Highlights

J Delarosa's perspective on AI in filmmaking is that it's a complicated issue, with both positive and negative aspects.

An A-list director shared that AI made his creative process more iterative, allowing for the generation of hundreds of images a day compared to a single drawing or painting by a human illustrator.

Delarosa is curious and fascinated by AI, especially its application in the talking and visual aspects of filmmaking.

The general public has not yet had access to AI-generated visuals, and Delarosa questions the complexity of the prompts used to create them.

AI's role in the credits for 'Secret Invasion' is mentioned as an example of its early use in the industry, but Delarosa criticizes it for lacking a point of view.

Delarosa expresses concern about AI replacing human jobs and criticizes the laziness of such an approach, comparing it to a bubble economy.

The importance of a champion for a film's success is emphasized, as every great film has someone who passionately supports and brings it to life.

The process of creating film props is discussed, highlighting the surprising dirtiness and the need for more obvious details than one might expect.

The lightweight nature of Indiana Jones' coat from 'Raiders' is mentioned, contrasting it with the heavier replicas available.

Portraying emotions in a film is a complex process influenced by various factors such as the actor's ability, script, score, and lighting.

The narrative of Stanley Kubrick as a genius with a preconceived vision is subverted, showing that he was actually skilled at creating situations for drama to emerge.

The alchemy of filmmaking is emphasized, with no formula for creating a truly great film, as it relies on a confluence of factors and the passion of its champion.

Delarosa is less worried about AI from an aesthetic standpoint, as they believe it will be impossible for AI to show a distinct and personal point of view.

Concerns about AI from an employment standpoint are expressed, acknowledging the obvious reasons for worry.

The importance of responding to human points of view, rather than those of machines, is emphasized in the context of art and filmmaking.

The philosophical nature of the discussion is acknowledged, and the value of watching and engaging with the content is highlighted.