- Masters of the Universe‘s director has spoken his mind about the use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry
- Travis Knight says it shouldn’t replace those who make movies and TV shows
- But it has if implemented correctly
Masters of the Universe‘s director has given his take on the ongoing debate surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the entertainment industry.
Ahead of the release of the new Amazon movie, Travis Knight told me exclusively that studios shouldn’t use artificial intelligence to replace the ones that, in his words, give movies their “spirit and soul.”
However, Knight also suggested that artificial intelligence could be beneficial to the wider business if those in charge of the world’s biggest entertainment companies are “thoughtful and careful” about its use.
Knight’s comments come amid a watershed moment for the deployment of AI in the entertainment sector, other industries and our wider society.
In fact, as the nascent technology becomes an increasingly widespread fixture in our everyday lives and governments scramble to speed up legislation to keep the technology in check amid its ongoing proliferation, companies across the globe are looking at ways to use it.
That includes the world’s biggest film and TV producers like Amazon MGM Studios, the aka entertainment behemoth behind He-Man’s latest big-screen adventure, and the studio that recently came under fire for announcing plans to make three new series for its Prime Video streaming platform via its newly established GenAI Creators’ Fund.
With several other entertainment giants, including Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros., also exploring new ways to use AI to make movies and TV shows, as well as, in their words, “enhance” the user experience on the top streaming services they own, conversations about the technology will continue to dominate the news cycle for months and years to come.
Key among these discussions is whether AI will eventually replace writers, artists, animators, directors and various other creatives. However, Knight believes that it would be a dark day for the industry if such a scenario ever arose, although he is not entirely averse to AI playing a role in some aspects of the film production sector.
“For me, it’s always about the amazing creatives who make movies,” said the man behind one of this year’s new films. “They are the ones who give films their spirit and soul.
“And that’s one of the things I love most about making movies,” he continued. “You get all these people together from all these different disciplines, and it’s only that combination of people that could have told that story that way.
AI can be a tool or it can be a crutch – and that’s not something we used on this film
Masters of the Universe director Travis Knight
“Now, look, artificial intelligence can be a tool or it can be a crutch – and that’s not something we used on this film. I try to do things as much as I can practically. That’s my background [in this industry]so I want to have as many things in the camera as possible. We also used CGI, a lot of simulations and high-tech stuff to bring the film to life in the best possible way, and I love that combination of the old-school, hands-on kind of filmmaking with whatever new technology helps tell the story you’re telling.
“It’s a very interesting time for the industry and I don’t know where it’s going to go,” added the director of the sci-fi fantasy film. “In general, I don’t think this technology is something to fear, I just think it’s something we need to be thoughtful and careful about.”
Masters of the Universe is out now in the UK and launches in the US and other countries on Friday 5th June. Before you watch it, find out if it’s worth watching by reading my Masters of the Universe review.
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