The art of filmmaking has undergone a huge change over the last couple of years. AI is bringing a whole world of new tools and techniques to the market, from screenwriting to casting and more. VR also has a part to play, as filmmakers look for new ways to engage their audiences.
AI in Filmmaking
The process of editing a film is time-consuming and frustrating. As time goes on, more and more directors are using AI as a way to edit footage, which is saving countless hours. Hollywood productions are even starting to use AI, with examples being The Brutalist and Emilia Perez. Both use AI to change actor voices, so the accents used come across as being more authentic. AI is also often used as a way to make actors look younger, with some examples being Tom Hanks and Harrison Ford. This can save producers hours, and it can also pave the way for new and interesting storylines that would have otherwise been very difficult to create. AI can also analyse successful films, making recommendations on pacing or transitions. This helps to improve the overall quality, and also helps directors to get input on new angles that can be taken.
In addition to all of this, AI also has a role to play within the creative process. AI can predict an audience’s reception, offering input as to how the storyline can be changed to get a more positive reaction. This allows critical changes to be made, before a movie is shown in worldwide cinemas.
The Emergence of VR
VR filmmaking is also starting to create a bit of a revolution, especially in storytelling. Viewers are now able to become participants in the movie, which helps to open up new narratives based on choices or even interactions. This is proving to be a game-changer for the fiction genre, where stories can morph to create a viewer journey. One thing to take note of here, however, is that VR can come with its limitations. Although HD cameras are changing the filmmaking landscape as we know it, VR requires a whole different approach. VR demands a 360-degree spherical field of view. This has led to the creation of VR-specific camera rigs, with several high-end options currently on the market. One example of how VR has been used in the past would be The Martian VR Experience. This transported viewers to Mars, which coincided with the release of the movie. This happened in 2016, but it cost $200,000 to create. Although things have changed since and costs have reduced with the emergence of new technology, there is still a bit of a barrier that has to be overcome here before VR can be fully adopted.
Streaming is Taking Precedence over TV and Cinema
Another notable trend would be the fact that streaming is taking precedence over TV and cinema. The entertainment sector is evolving, with streaming services like Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu all gaining significant popularity. Traditional television has seen a decline in viewership, and while cinema holds appeal for blockbuster releases, streaming has helped to introduce new viewer habits.
Some movies are being released straight to streaming platforms as well, giving people the option to rent them from their device at home as opposed to buying a cinema ticket. As time goes on, this trend is set to become even more prevalent, with online platforms becoming the go-to for filmmakers. This will further change the landscape as we know it, and it will also influence the other trends we are seeing right now, including VR. For example, it’s more economical for someone at home to invest in a VR headset than it is for a commercial cinema to buy hundreds of them for theatrical use.
When you break down the data, it’s not hard to see that the future landscape of film production lies within AI and VR. With that said, the emergence of new HD cameras could well bridge the gap, serving as a useful tool for independent studios who don’t have the budget for VR rigs. With more movies going directly to streaming services, it’s not hard to see how this could also shape the world of cinema in its own right.