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Ben Affleck Says He Used AI for ‘Lots Of Things’ in His New Movie ‘Animal’
Confirmed
In Short: Actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck revealed he used artificial intelligence in his new Netflix film 'Animals,' which premieres Oct. 9.
Actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck has revealed that he used artificial intelligence (AI) in his upcoming Netflix film 'Animals,' which premieres on October 9.
Affleck, who co-wrote, directed, and stars in 'Animals,' disclosed this information during a Q&A session at Bloomberg's Screentime event.
The film, which follows Los Angeles mayoral candidate Mark Kimball as he navigates a kidnapping of his son, uses AI 'for lots of things,' according to Affleck.
Affleck sold his AI firm InterPositive to Netflix earlier this year for $587 million, and he sees 'Animals' as a proving ground for the technology.
When asked about the specific applications of AI in 'Animals,' Affleck declined to provide details, citing the potential to spoil the movie's magic.
Affleck believes that once people spend time with AI tools, they will gain a sense of control over them, making the technology less intimidating.
He compared the use of AI in filmmaking to a magician not revealing the secrets behind a trick before performing it.
Affleck emphasized that AI is just another form of computing and a technological advancement that aligns with the ongoing improvements in the film and television industry.
Affleck noted that AI can help filmmakers complete tasks faster and achieve things that might otherwise be difficult, particularly during post-production.
Despite the use of AI, Affleck stressed that the technology will not replace human creativity in filmmaking.
Animals' is a grounded, human story rather than a project dominated by visual effects, making it an interesting example of AI's potential in filmmaking.
What this adds
Affleck's use of AI in 'Animals' highlights the growing integration of technology in the film industry.
The exact applications of AI in 'Animals' remain undisclosed, adding an element of mystery to the film's release.
What's confirmed
- “I used [ AI ] for lots of things in that movie,” he revealed at a Q&A for Bloomberg Screentime.
- Affleck’s latest Netflix film comes after the streamer bought his AI firm InterPositive in March for $587 million.
- “I used [AI] for lots of things in that movie,” Affleck said.
- Affleck compared it to a magician revealing the secrets behind a trick before performing it.
What's still developing
- McIntyre and Billy Ray, Animals stars Affleck as Los Angeles mayoral candidate Mark Kimball, whose son is kidnapped, giving him and wife Abigail (Kerry Washington) a few hours to get their hands dirty and come up with the ransom money.
- Following in the footsteps of Gone Baby Gone and The Town, Animals is another crime thriller with Affleck’s creative fingerprints all over it – he directs, co-wrote the script, co-produces and stars.
- Back at the Q&A, Affleck argued that Animals is a good venue for AI usage.
- Over the past day or so, Affleck appeared at a Q&A hosted by Bloomberg, in which he admitted that Animals uses AI “for lots of things” – though, as quoted by Deadline, he isn’t in a hurry to say how or where it was used.
- Animals, due out in a matter of days, comes on the heels of Danny Boyle’s Ink, which used AI to cheaply animate some photographs and rodents.
- According to him, filmmakers are ultimately trying to create an illusion of reality, and explaining every technological tool used behind the scenes could take away from that experience.
- He added, “Netflix would never do that,” Affleck said tonight.
- However, he admitted that he was reluctant to reveal exactly where the technology was used because doing so could affect the audience’s experience of the movie.
- He further stated that he doesn’t believe AI will ever provide filmmakers to give a prompt in and make a movie that people want to see.
- During the Bloomberg conversation, Affleck also addressed comments made by his longtime collaborator Matt Damon about Netflix and the making of The Rip.
- “They benefit from the learning they’re creating,” Affleck said.
- “What I’m trying to do is actually bring this technology into our business, into a place where these companies who are guild signatories, who have relationships with the creative community, who aren’t going to just go ahead and put you in a movie without your permission and without paying you.” he said.