The buzz around AI in filmmaking just got louder. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) CEO Tony Vinciquerra made clear his stance on artificial intelligence during Sony’s recent investor event. He didn’t hold back, emphasizing the cost-efficiency AI brings to the table.
AI Enhancing Creativity
We are very focused on AI. The biggest problem with making films today is the expense,
Vinciquerra said. We will be looking at ways to…produce both films for theaters and television in a more efficient way, using AI primarily.
This sentiment was echoed amidst discussions on movie production. AI is becoming a versatile tool that doesn’t just cut costs but also expands the creative possibilities. AI is fundamentally changing the scale and scope of what’s possible within the confines of filmmaking,
Vinciquerra noted further.
Navigating Industry Controversies
Vinciquerra acknowledged the potential pushback from industry creatives, referencing last year’s lengthy strike over AI concerns.We had an 8-month strike over AI last year,
he mentioned. Current negotiations with IATSE and upcoming Teamsters talks continue to center around AI deployment in film making.
While these talks will shape what studios can or can’t do with AI, Vinciquerra remains optimistic: The agreements…will define roughly what we can do with AI.
Cultural Shifts Powered by Technology
Sony has consistently embraced technological shifts to enhance their offerings. A prime example is Sony Corporation’s acquisition of Crunchyroll in 2021, aiming to bolster their anime creation efforts. The goal is to develop new anime IPs in line with their overarching strategy.
AI-enhanced tools are optimizing animation production by automating time-consuming tasks such as tweening, coloring processing, and rendering.
Sony’s Strategic Investments
Throughout the investor event, Vinciquerra highlighted strategic investments tailored to complement Sony’s successful strategy. While Sony tends to maintain an arms-dealer approach by licensing content to platforms like Netflix, it focuses on growing its intellectual property (IP) library.
We’re looking for strategic investments… that complement our strategy,
Vinciquerra said.
CrunEffective Roll:
The anime sector remains a critical focus area for Sony, with plans to launch an anime academy aimed at nurturing future creatives worldwide—demonstrating its commitment to addressing labor shortfalls in this domain.
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