Actor, filmmaker, and studio owner, Tyler Perry, has pressed pause on his plans for an $800 million expansion of his Atlanta studio.
The decision comes in response to the groundbreaking advancements in AI technology, particularly OpenAI’s text-to-video model, Sora, which debuted recently, revolutionizing the landscape of content creation.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Perry expressed his astonishment and concerns at Sora’s capabilities, which enable the generation of elaborate scenes and settings solely through text input. Perry acknowledged the potential efficiencies this technology offers but also sounded the alarm regarding its potential impact on industry jobs.
“I no longer would have to travel to locations. If I wanted to be in the snow in Colorado, it’s text. If I wanted to write a scene on the moon, it’s text, and this AI can generate it like nothing. If I wanted to have two people in the living room in the mountains, I don’t have to build a set in the mountains, I don’t have to put a set on my lot. I can sit in an office and do this with a computer, which is shocking to me,” Perry told THR.
Perry’s concerns are well-founded as AI innovations like Sora have the potential to disrupt traditional production processes significantly. With the ability to create diverse environments and scenarios virtually, the need for physical sets and on-location shoots diminishes, posing a threat to various roles in the entertainment industry, from actors to technicians.
REELated:
“It makes me worry so much about all of the people in the business. Because as I was looking at it, I immediately started thinking of everyone in the industry who would be affected by this, including actors and grip and electric and transportation and sound and editors, and looking at this, I’m thinking this will touch every corner of our industry.”
While Perry has experimented with AI in recent productions to streamline processes like makeup application, he remains deeply apprehensive about its broader implications. He emphasized the urgency for collective action within the entertainment industry and beyond to address the challenges posed by AI advancements.
As Perry deliberates the future of his studio amidst the AI revolution, he calls for a unified approach involving industry stakeholders, unions, and government bodies to safeguard the livelihoods of those impacted. The convergence of rapid AI development and industry contraction presents a daunting challenge, but Perry’s advocacy signals a rallying cry for proactive measures to protect the workforce in the face of technological disruption.
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