As you have seen, in Hollywood, artificial intelligence is recasting, enabling gorgeous cinematic stunts previously inconceivable. While previously AI seemed to be strictly ‘de-aging’ actors, it is currently creating quite an impression in this industry. One such example is Robert Zemeckis’s new movie Here starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright in which computer-animated facial substitution in real time brings characters to life over long timespans.
The idea at the center of this is Metaphysic, a company based in Hollywood that focuses on facial rendering through Artificial Intelligence. The company is spearheaded by Ed Ulbrich with technology stronger than the competitor’s de-aging and re-aging effects that can help filmmakers work faster and at lowest possible costs. For Here, Metaphysic used concepts of artificial intelligence to generate young and different aged Hanks, Wright look alike. Unlike conventional CGI, the tools that Metaphysic use produces results in real time and in some instances, during shooting.
“You couldn’t have made this movie three years ago,” Zemeckis said, pointing out how AI saves the cost of hiring VFX crews. In a world where superhero movies skulk in the $200m+ financial ranges, Here managed to achieve practically photorealism for $50m. The crew monitored two screens during shooting: one revealing the actual appearance of actors and the second one presenting actors with overproduced beauty. This way the cast was able to get some close to life mimicking the movements depicting the cast as ‘young’.
AI’s function is not just limited to de-aging. That is improving dubbing, the photographing of stunts, and even retakes – a new era indicator in the film industry. Lori McCreary of Revelations Entertainment says it aptly when she said, “AI feels like an entire industry disrupter.” However, there is still doubt as to the accessibility of its further potential, with Hollywood both enthusiastic and nervous.
While reactions to AI’s advancements vary, one thing is clear: honestly, it is increasingly tough to tell the uncanny from reality. The future of AI is virtually infinite in modern movie making and storytelling by heavily influencing past, present, and future movie production and perception.
