US actor Tyler Perry halted a planned $800 million expansion of his Atlanta studio after seeing OpenAI's video model Sora.
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Perry explained that he was in the middle of preparations for the planned studio expansion. When he saw the Sora demonstration, he stopped all work.
"I had gotten word over the last year or so that this was coming, but I had no idea until I saw recently the demonstrations of what it’s able to do. It’s shocking to me," says Perry.
Rumor has it that OpenAI had the Sora video AI in a demoable state for about a year, but didn't officially unveil it until mid-February, coinciding with a language model advancement from Google.
Perry expressed concern about the impact of AI technology on jobs in the film industry and called for regulations to protect those jobs. AI is a "major game-changer" that could drastically reduce the cost of film production, says Perry.
"I no longer would have to travel to locations. If I wanted to be in the snow in Colorado, it’s text. If I wanted to write a scene on the moon, it’s text, and this AI can generate it like nothing."
AI shortens long make-up times
Perry has already begun using AI in two yet-to-be-announced films to reduce the time it takes to apply aging makeup to actors. According to Perry, the technology saves hours.
He says he is aware that the cost savings that can be achieved by using AI technology in film production are tempting, but warns that many jobs could be lost.
Perry calls for a unified industry approach and hopes for compassion for the people who have built their careers in the film industry. The entire entertainment industry, including politicians, must work together to protect the future of the industry, he says.
"I think that it has to be everybody, all involved in how do we protect the future of our industry because it is changing rapidly, right before our eyes. I think of all of the construction workers and contractors who are not going to be employed because I’m not doing this next phase of the studio because there is no need to do it," Perry says.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has repeatedly warned of massive changes in the workplace as a result of AI.
"A lot of people working on AI pretend that it’s only going to be good; it’s only going to be a supplement; no one is ever going to be replaced. Jobs are definitely going to go away, full stop," said Altman in the summer of 2023.
In January 2024, he reiterated this statement, emphasizing that the impact of AI on the job market could happen rapidly.
AI and Hollywood is complicated
The use of artificial intelligence in Hollywood has been a topic of concern and intrigue. For example, AI has been used to create digital replicas of actors and there's fear that background actors may be replaced by these digital versions.
Prominent figures in Hollywood, like Bryan Cranston, have spoken against the use of AI in the entertainment industry. Cranston called for the preservation of actors' right to work, the protection of their dignity, and fair compensation for actors whose digital replicas are used. He emphasized the need for regulations to prevent job losses due to AI.
Despite these concerns, AI has already begun to make its way into industry. And resistance is growing as AI begins to reshape jobs. This has led to strikes, protests, and lawsuits.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), which represents about 160,000 actors and actresses, is concerned about the use of digital replicas and is demanding fair compensation for actors whose digital replicas are used.
SAG-AFTRA members went on strike for more than four months last year. They won a higher-than-average minimum wage, improvements in pension and health benefits, and a requirement that digital replicas be paid the same as the original. In addition, the making of copies must be authorized. The agreement with the studios runs for three years and is worth more than a billion dollars.
