The AI on the Lot conference held on May 16th brought together over 850 filmmakers, AI startups, technologists, and media executives at the Los Angeles Center Studios lot. Hosted by AI LA, the conference featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, hands-on demos, and a screening of AI-created films. The event focused on the increasing applications of generative AI in filmmaking and how it can augment filmmakers’ workflows to reduce costs and enable smaller teams to achieve more.
Keynote speaker Renard Jenkins, former Warner Bros executive and current CEO of I2A2 Technologies, addressed the crowd on the applications of generative AI in the film industry. Jenkins emphasized that AI should be seen as a tool to enhance creativity, not replace human involvement. He discussed the fears within Hollywood that AI may lead to job losses, but stressed that AI can save time rather than money. Jenkins highlighted the importance of keeping humans at the center of the AI creation process.
Panelist Edward Saatchi from The Simulation presented his perspective on AI in entertainment, sharing the success of Showrunner, a platform that created South Park episodes from a single prompt. Saatchi believes that legitimate, original entertainment can be crowdsourced and created by AI with minimal input. He envisions channels of AI-created content that prompts itself, challenging traditional methods of content creation. The potential for AI in entertainment to revolutionize storytelling and audience engagement was a key theme of the conference.
The conference also featured filmmakers and showrunners like David Slade, Matt Nix, and Mark Goffman, who shared their experiences with AI technology in their work. The focus was on how AI can enhance the creative process and provide new opportunities for storytelling in the entertainment industry. By bringing together thought leaders from AI companies and the film industry, AI on the Lot provided a platform for discussing the latest trends and innovations in generative AI and its impact on filmmaking.
The day concluded with a screening of three AI short films created as part of the Cinema Synthetica competition. One of the films, “Love at First Bite,” was a zombie romantic comedy created by AI filmmakers using a variety of AI and tech tools. The film featured real actors and a script by Emmy Award winner Bernie Su, showcasing the potential of AI in creating unique and engaging content. The success of these AI films demonstrated the growing capabilities of generative AI in filmmaking and its ability to push the boundaries of creativity in storytelling.
Overall, AI on the Lot provided a platform for filmmakers, AI startups, and industry experts to come together and explore the potential of generative AI in filmmaking. The conference highlighted the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI technology into the creative process and emphasized the importance of human involvement in AI-driven storytelling. With the continued development of AI technology, the entertainment industry is poised to witness exciting innovations that can transform the way films are created and experienced by audiences.
