In a tour-de-force presentation at Starting Pixel Live 24, director Ross Floyd charted the journey of technological innovation from analogue filmmaking, beginning with ancient techniques and ending in the frontier world of AI. Through humour and historical insights, Floyd illuminated the highs and lows of digital transformation in the industry, from the early days of the camera obscura to today's AI-generated visuals.
A Whirlwind History of Film and Visual Effects
Starting with the concept of the camera obscura, Floyd took his audience on a rapid journey through time, highlighting key developments like the invention of the daguerreotype and the kinetoscope. Each advancement, Floyd noted, helped democratize photography and filmmaking, with iconic tools like the Brownie camera and the Canon 5D Mark II marking key moments in film’s accessibility to the public.
One fascinating stop in Floyd’s timeline was the iconic scene in Harold Lloyd’s Safety Last!, where innovative forced-perspective effects created a pulse-pounding illusion. This, Floyd observed, was a harbinger for the visual effects to come, linking analog trickery to digital magic.
Virtual Production and the Star Wars Effect
Of course, Floyd couldn’t resist the familiar refrain: “It all comes back to Star Wars.” In the 1980s, Star Wars introduced revolutionary techniques, using blue screens and early CGI. Floyd gave special mention to Industrial Light & Magic’s Oscar-winning blue screen process, which laid the groundwork for modern green screen tech. By the time The Mandalorian hit screens, using cutting-edge virtual production techniques, virtual production had exploded worldwide, with hundreds of stages springing up globally in a matter of years.
The AI Boom and its Consequences
Shifting to the present day, Floyd shared both awe and caution about AI’s current role in production. With tools like DALL-E and Midjourney, the rapid progress in generative AI means we can now create visuals at a speed and scale previously unimaginable. While many are using AI to expedite tasks such as storyboarding and editing, Floyd warned that AI models still grapple with basic issues, like creating anatomically correct images and producing lifelike motion. AI tools also face significant legal and ethical challenges, particularly concerning copyright and transparency in training data.
Floyd shared the example of the infamous “Will Smith eating spaghetti” video, noting how AI visuals improved significantly within a year—yet still retain an unsettling quality. He argued that AI's tendency to create bizarrely “off” images keeps it well within the “uncanny valley,” making it difficult to direct and integrate into production.
The Future of AI in Filmmaking: Hype or Hope?
Referencing Gartner’s Hype Cycle, Floyd suggested that AI in film may be moving past the “trough of disillusionment” into what he called “computer-aided creativity.” AI, he emphasized, is more of a tool than a replacement for human artistry. In a nod to director Guillermo del Toro, Floyd reiterated that the value of art lies in its emotional resonance, a quality AI lacks. “AI might make you laugh or cry,” he noted, “but not in any meaningful way.”
Key Takeaways: Useful, But Not the Holy Grail
Floyd encouraged the audience to view AI as an enhancement rather than a silver bullet. While he lauded AI’s efficiency in reducing “blank page syndrome” and streamlining production tasks, he underscored the need for human creativity and oversight, especially as AI continues to reshape the industry.
In a thought-provoking conclusion, Floyd left the audience with a choice: use AI to tackle the mundane, or use it as a gateway to speed up the creative journey. The choice, as Floyd framed it, is up to the industry—but AI should only ever serve the vision, not replace it.
Ross can be found here: www.rossfloyd.com/Virtual-Production/Overview/
Commentaires