Will Documentaries (And Their Makers) Survive AI?
Recently I attended a spirited discussion in Sebastopol CA, titled Will Film Survive AI? Former Sundance Director John Cooper began by telling filmmaker and AI thought leader Quinn Halleck, “You’ve got some explaining to do!”
The Backstory
I confess. For many years I hoped that I would be retired by the time AI might make my work as a story consultant and editor obsolete.
Then came the simmering debate last summer (2023) when Hollywood creatives feared losing their livelihood. The unions went to bat over AI usurping and profiting from creatives’ work. As filmmaker Kaitlyn Nyugen asks in a KQED spot, “What will happen to the artists who were once hired for these tasks?”
Now we have Quinn Halleck’s groundbreaking film Sigma_001, which may be the first narrative short about AI which uses AI-tools in every stage of the filmmaking process. (To watch it, go to end of this post.)
Would this AI-methodology obviate his role as director/writer?
“I just think there’s always going to be something that you can’t quantify about art,” said audience member and writer Elizabeth Stark.
Quinn decided to find out. He asked his crew to discover and employ the latest AI tools in their respective creative roles.
AI Used Throughout The Filmmaking Process
Early in the concept phase, Quinn’s team used ChatGPT as a “creative sounding board” for their script. They then moved to Dalle and Midjourney to prompt concept art, that eventually found its way into Runway for storyboarding. Is your head spinning yet?
During production, Quinn directed his actors to investigate various AI chatbots to flesh out their characters, “uncovering the nooks and cranny’s for backstories that would have not otherwise made it into our world,” he told the Sebastopol Times.
What about post-production? His team used tools such as DeepFaceLabs and AI voice generators like ElevenLabs (starting at $5/month).
There’s more. Imagine using VFX (visual effects) such as Adobe Sensei and Deep Motion to integrate live-action footage into enhanced “realistic” imagery. Speak no more of corny re-enactments! This level of artistry will revolutionize recreations.
The Budget
Like most indies, Halleck didn’t have access to millions of dollars for his film. But he discovered a treasure chest of AI tools that made fundraising—not him—practically unwarranted.
“All I know is, in my world, these tools have been really valuable to me,” Halleck told the audience. With lower costs, he sees a future that allows more filmmakers to make better films. For example, with prices for traditional VFX tools running from $1K-5K per minute, Quinn predicts using AI will radically lower visual effect costs and further democratize filmmaking.
Remember the 1990’s, when novel digital cameras were both feared for putting DP’s out of work—and at the same time were touted as democratizing the filmmaking process? See, the future isn’t so scary! (We’ll save the discussion of AI and existential dread for another time.)
To watch Quinn’s 15-minute film, visit quinnhalleck.com/sigma and type in the password, “./enter”. You can also hear his Ted Talk here.
Soon I’ll be writing about another controversy: AI upending the credibility of archival footage. If you have thoughts, feel free to email me now and let me know if I can quote you!
