Like it or not, the era of AI-made films is upon us. Legitimate filmmakers like Doug Liman and Roger Avary are set to use AI in their new projects, while even Ben Affleck has admitted to using AI in his new film, Animals, for Netflix. However, the difference is that those films are aided by AI rather than wholly crafted with it.
But that doesn’t mean other people aren’t going to come along and try to generate their own fully AI-generated movies. I actually saw a pretty terrible one at Cannes, but now an AI-made movie is getting an actual theatrical release, and we have the trailer embedded above.
Gods Don’t Give Gifts Gets a Theatrical Release
The film, Gods Don’t Give Gifts, is set to hit theaters on December 4th and comes from director Zack London, who is better known for his online label, Gossip Goblin. He’s been using AI to create shorts for his YouTube channel, which has over 1.5 million subscribers. Now, he’s making a whole film.
Here is the synopsis:
On NiiroCradle, where bodies are disposable and consciousness has been commoditized, four interconnected stories collide with the horrifying consequences of humanity’s attempt to transcend the flesh.
The “four interconnected stories” aspect gives me pause, as it sounds like it might be four shorter examples of AI filmmaking stitched together, which is a little less ambitious than a full-length, AI-generated film with continuity between its characters. Then again, the technology is still in its infancy, and perhaps going the Creepshow route is logical.
Is a Fully AI-Generated Movie a Good Thing?
Whether or not an AI-generated film is a good thing is a whole other question. As a film fan, I’m not at all against using AI in the production of films, but I don’t love the idea of AI-generated performers. Although that’s just me, and who knows? Someone may come along and make something brilliant. The form is changing, that’s for sure.
Here is a statement from the filmmakers explaining their approach:
GODS DON’T GIVE GIFTS is a bold example of a new kind of filmmaking that uses AI as a filmmaking tool while emphasizing the enormous amount of human creativity, labor and decision-making behind the finished work. The film was made by an international team bringing together diverse creative and technical expertise. Human voice actors were especially important in bringing emotion, intention and personality to the characters. The technology enables new possibilities, but the filmmaking still depends on people, performance and collaboration.
Will you be seeing Gods Don’t Give Gifts? Let us know in the comments.
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