Adam Savage's Issue With A.I.-Generated Art

Adam Savage’s Tested
16 Mar 202412:24

TLDRThe transcript captures a filmmaker's mixed feelings about AI in film making. They acknowledge AI's potential to refine the creative process, as seen in the rapid generation of visual content. However, they express concern over the loss of human touch and the potential for AI to lack a distinct point of view. The discussion also touches on the commercial implications of AI, fearing its impact on employment in various industries. The speaker shares personal experiences with film props, emphasizing the importance of detail and the human element in creating emotionally resonant art.

Takeaways

  • 🤖 AI's increasing role in filmmaking is seen as both fascinating and complicated, with concerns about its impact on the creative process and employment.
  • 🎨 AI has the potential to refine the creative process by enabling rapid iteration, as illustrated by the example of an AI-generated illustrator producing numerous images per day.
  • 🌟 The speaker values the unique point of view that human creators bring to art, questioning whether AI can truly replicate this essential aspect.
  • 🍿 General public has yet to fully experience AI in text-to-video, and the complexity of prompts used in AI-generated visuals is still not widely understood.
  • 📺 AI's presence in the credits of 'Secret Invasion' is noted, but the speaker finds it lacking in a distinct point of view.
  • 💡 Marvin Minsky's quote about the danger of AI hiding its intelligence is referenced, highlighting concerns about the ethical implications of AI.
  • 💼 The commercial aspect of AI in industries, such as replacing human jobs with AI, is a source of frustration and concern for the speaker.
  • 🎥 The potential for AI to be used innovatively in student films is seen as exciting, but there's skepticism about Hollywood's ability to replicate and commercialize such innovations.
  • 🧥 Film props often surprise in person due to their unexpected details, such as being dirtier or lighter than anticipated, which affects their on-screen appearance.
  • 🎨 The camera is a useful tool for assessing the weathering on props, allowing for a better understanding of how details translate to the screen.
  • 🌟 The key to a great film lies in having at least one passionate champion who drives its creation and ensures its success.

Q & A

  • What is J Delarosa's perspective on the use of AI in filmmaking?

    -J Delarosa finds the use of AI in filmmaking to be a complex topic. While he acknowledges the benefits of AI in streamlining the creative process, such as generating numerous visual concepts quickly, he also expresses concern about the lack of a distinct point of view in AI-generated content. He believes that the value of any creation lies in the mind and heart of its creator, which he hasn't yet seen in AI.

  • How does the director J Delarosa had dinner with view AI's impact on his workflow?

    -The director J Delarosa had dinner with found that AI made his creative process more iterative. He appreciated that he could now hire an AI to generate hundreds of visual concepts daily, as opposed to an illustrator who might only produce one drawing or painting per day, which is more expensive.

  • What is J Delarosa's concern regarding the commercial use of AI?

    -J Delarosa is upset about the commercial application of AI, particularly in its potential to replace human jobs with AI systems. He sees this as a lazy move and compares it to a bubble similar to the crypto tulip phenomenon. He also expresses worry that recent union negotiations in Hollywood did not sufficiently address the impact of AI on employment.

  • How does J Delarosa assess the quality of his paint jobs on film props?

    -J Delarosa uses a camera to assess the quality of his paint jobs on film props. By taking photos, he can better evaluate the flow and weathering of the props, as cameras capture less detail than the human eye can see. This method helps him ensure that the props appear more realistic on screen.

  • What surprised J Delarosa about the props he worked on?

    -J Delarosa was surprised by the dirtiness and the lightweight nature of the props when seen in person. Specifically, he mentioned that the coat used by Indiana Jones in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' was much lighter than most replicas, which are heavier.

  • What does J Delarosa believe is the biggest impact in portraying emotion in a film?

    -J Delarosa believes that the biggest impact in portraying emotion in a film comes from a combination of factors, including the actor's ability, the script, the score, and the lighting. He also emphasizes the importance of having at least one person championing the film and bringing it to life.

  • How does J Delarosa view the role of AI in the future of filmmaking?

    -J Delarosa has mixed feelings about the role of AI in the future of filmmaking. While he is fascinated by the technology and acknowledges its potential to create remarkable student films, he is also concerned about the overuse of AI by Hollywood, which could lead to a loss of originality and personal expression in films.

  • What does J Delarosa think about the narrative of Stanley Kubrick as a genius filmmaker?

    -J Delarosa believes that the narrative of Stanley Kubrick as a genius who always knew exactly what he wanted is not entirely accurate. Instead, he sees Kubrick as someone who was excellent at creating situations for drama and then finding the film in the edit room by exploring many different types of performances.

  • What is J Delarosa's opinion on the possibility of AI developing a distinct point of view?

    -J Delarosa is skeptical about the possibility of AI developing a distinct point of view. He believes that since AI is not a person, it cannot resonate with him in the same way a human's point of view can. He feels that AI will find it nearly impossible to show him a unique and personal perspective.

  • How does J Delarosa describe the filmmaking process?

    -J Delarosa describes the filmmaking process as an alchemy, a magical confluence of many factors that cannot be replicated by a formula. He emphasizes that the success of a film can only be truly assessed after it has been completed and viewed in its entirety.

  • What are the perks of becoming a tested member as mentioned by J Delarosa?

    -Becoming a tested member offers perks such as advanced word on projects, behind-the-scenes photos, the ability to ask direct questions during live streams, and access to members-only videos, including the Adam Real Time series, which features unbroken, unedited shots of J Delarosa working in his shop.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 AI in Filmmaking: A Complicated Feeling

J Delarosa discusses the mixed feelings about AI's increasing role in filmmaking. He shares an anecdote about a list director who appreciates how AI can make the creative process more iterative by generating numerous images, which is seen as a positive refinement. However, J expresses concern about the lack of a distinct point of view in AI-generated art, emphasizing the importance of the human element behind any creation. He also worries about the commercial implications of AI, such as replacing human jobs with AI, which he finds concerning and indicative of late-stage capitalism's venality. The discussion touches on the early days of AI visuals and the potential for students to use AI in innovative ways, while also highlighting the challenges in protecting against the negative aspects of AI in union negotiations.

05:00

🎨 The Surprising Reality of Film Props

The paragraph delves into the unexpected nature of film props when viewed in person, particularly their dirtiness and the level of detail required to match on-screen items. J shares personal experience with replicating K's coat and boots, discussing the process of weathering and how using a camera helps assess the paint job's accuracy. The conversation also includes insights on the lightweight nature of Indiana Jones' coat from Raiders and the abundance of replicas available. J reflects on the elements that significantly impact emotion portrayal in films, citing the importance of a film's champion, and shares thoughts on the alchemy of art creation, highlighting the unpredictable nature of producing greatness.

10:03

📚 Reflections on Filmmaking and the Alchemy of Art

J continues the discussion on filmmaking by sharing an enlightening conversation with director Guillermo del Toro about the unpredictability of a film's success and the necessity of a champion for any great film. The talk shifts to the legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, whose process was less about having a preconceived notion and more about creating an environment for drama to unfold. J emphasizes that art is an alchemy without a formula, expressing skepticism that AI could ever replicate the unique human perspective that resonates in art. The segment concludes with a philosophical reflection on the employment implications of AI and an invitation for viewers to support the channel through membership perks.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI in filmmaking

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in filmmaking refers to the integration of AI technologies into the process of creating movies. This can range from AI-generated scripts to AI-assisted visual effects. In the script, the speaker expresses a nuanced view on AI's role in filmmaking, acknowledging its potential to refine the creative process, such as generating numerous visual concepts quickly, but also voicing concerns about the loss of human creativity and the potential for AI to replace human jobs in the industry.

💡Emerging technologies

Emerging technologies are innovative tools, systems, or methods that are relatively new and have the potential to significantly impact various fields, including filmmaking. In the context of the video, the speaker is intrigued by the evolving landscape of filmmaking as new technologies like AI become more prevalent. The speaker sees these technologies as both promising and potentially disruptive, reflecting on how they can enhance or alter the creative process.

💡Creative process

The creative process refers to the series of steps, ideas, and activities that artists or creators engage in to produce original work. In the video, the speaker acknowledges that AI can make the creative process more iterative and efficient, but also emphasizes the importance of a human point of view in art, which they feel is currently lacking in AI-generated content.

💡Point of view

A point of view refers to a particular perspective or attitude towards a matter, shaped by an individual's experiences, beliefs, and values. In the context of the video, the speaker values the personal touch and unique vision that a human artist brings to their work, which they believe is currently absent in AI-generated art. The speaker argues that without a distinct point of view, AI-generated content lacks the depth and emotional resonance that makes art meaningful.

💡Late-stage capitalism

Late-stage capitalism is a term used to describe a hypothetical era of capitalism characterized by increasing inequality, market saturation, and the diminishing returns of technological progress. In the video, the speaker criticizes the potential for AI to exacerbate these issues by replacing human labor with cost-saving technology, reflecting a concern for the societal implications of unchecked technological advancement.

💡AI-generated art

AI-generated art refers to artwork that is created or significantly influenced by artificial intelligence, rather than by human artists. In the video, the speaker discusses their fascination with AI and its potential in filmmaking, but also expresses skepticism about the ability of AI to replicate the unique human qualities found in art, such as emotion and perspective.

💡Film props

Film props are objects used by actors in a movie to help tell the story or to create a realistic environment. In the video, the speaker shares their experience with film props, noting that they are often dirtier and more worn in real life than they appear on screen. This insight highlights the attention to detail and the craftsmanship required to create props that convincingly contribute to the narrative and aesthetic of a film.

💡Weathering

Weathering in the context of filmmaking refers to the process of artificially aging or distressing props, costumes, and set pieces to make them appear used or affected by the environment of the story. It's a form of visual storytelling that adds authenticity and depth to the film's world. The speaker in the video discusses their personal experience with weathering, noting that it requires a keen eye for detail and a thorough understanding of the story's context.

💡Emotional portrayal in film

Emotional portrayal in film refers to the conveyance of emotions through various cinematic elements such as acting, script, score, and lighting. It's a complex interplay of factors that work together to evoke emotional responses from the audience. In the video, the speaker discusses the importance of having at least one person championing a film's vision, suggesting that a successful emotional portrayal is often the result of passionate and dedicated work from the film's crew.

💡Alchemical process

The term 'alchemical process' is used metaphorically in the video to describe the mysterious, transformative, and often unpredictable nature of creating art, particularly in filmmaking. It suggests that the creation of a film is not a straightforward, formulaic process, but rather one that involves a magical combination of elements, resulting in a unique and impactful piece of art.

💡Employment and AI

Employment and AI refers to the impact of artificial intelligence technologies on the job market, particularly the potential for AI to replace certain jobs or change the nature of work. In the video, the speaker expresses concern about the employment implications of AI, especially in creative fields like filmmaking, where the loss of human jobs to technology is seen as a significant issue.

💡Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. In the context of the video, the speaker discusses the complex relationship between AI and the film industry, highlighting both the potential benefits and the challenges it poses to traditional creative processes and employment.

Highlights

J Delarosa's perspective on AI in filmmaking is complex, reflecting both fascination and concern.

An A-list director shares how AI has made his creative process more iterative, allowing for rapid generation of visual concepts.

The speaker agrees that AI's role in refining the creative process is promising, especially in the early stages of AI visuals.

AI's presence in the credits for 'Secret Invasion' is noted, but the speaker finds them lacking a personal point of view.

The speaker expresses concern about AI's potential to replace human jobs, viewing it as a symptom of late-stage capitalism.

The impact of AI on union negotiations in Hollywood is discussed, with the speaker worried about insufficient protection for artists.

The speaker anticipates the exciting moment when a student film uses AI in an innovative way, but is wary of Hollywood's potential over-commercialization.

The importance of a point of view in art is emphasized, with the speaker questioning AI's ability to replicate human creativity.

Marvin Minsky's quote about the danger of AI hiding its intelligence is referenced, aligning with the speaker's concerns.

The aesthetic discussion of AI in filmmaking is distinguished from its commercial implications, which the speaker finds distasteful.

The speaker's experience with film props reveals the surprising details and the importance of in-person inspection.

The process of weathering props for films is discussed, highlighting the need for more obvious details due to camera limitations.

The speaker's father's painting approach is compared to assessing film props, emphasizing the value of distance and perspective.

The biggest impact in portraying emotion in a film is debated, with the speaker deferring to the collective magic of filmmaking.

The story of Stanley Kubrick's process on 'The Shining' is shared, challenging the narrative of him as a genius with a fixed vision.

The alchemy of art creation is discussed, with the speaker asserting that there is no formula for greatness.

The speaker's philosophical turn reflects a lessened worry about AI's aesthetic impact but increased concern about employment implications.

The unique value of human point of view in art is upheld, questioning AI's ability to resonate on a personal level.