The Lionsgate earnings name this afternoon wouldn’t have been correct with out addressing the elephant within the room: the studio’s deal with AI research firm Runway.
Introduced on September 18, it was a first-of-its-kind partnership between a serious Hollywood studio and Runway, which might create and prepare a brand new AI mannequin personalized to the studio’s portfolio of movie and tv content material. Eyebrows, after all, had been raised. What did that imply? Keanu Reeves’ likeness utilized in perpetuity throughout John Wick films till the tip of time? Full, 100% AI-generated films?
Lionsgate Movement Image Chair Adam Fogelson sought to calm any considerations when requested by an analyst in regards to the studio’s use of AI beneath this new deal.
“There have been some questions when it was reported,” the exec mentioned. “As soon as we clarified for our filmmaking companions, for our expertise companions, precisely what this was, how it could be used, what it’s, what it isn’t, we’ve had nice assist and our filmmakers are utilizing it already.”
Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns emphasised on the earnings name, “We predict that is very a lot going to boost filmmaking and develop into an unbelievable device for the group.”
On the highest of the decision, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer mentioned: “We imagine that AI, harnessed inside the acceptable guardrails, could be a priceless device to serve our expertise. And we imagine that over the long run, it would have a optimistic transformational affect on our enterprise.”
The CEO additionally defined that there shall be “self-discipline round challenge growth and manufacturing” on the subject of the usage of AI.
Lionsgate’s use of Runway is also about lowering prices. As unions have been in an uproar over AI’s potential affect on employment, in addition to its misuse surrounding actors’ likenesses, California Gov. Gavin Newsom sought to get forward of the storm by signing a regulation that will guard-rail AI efficiency replicas.
Added Burns in regards to the Runway deal at this time, “We predict our partnership with them is gonna propel us to the place the puck is heading versus the place it’s.”
If you wish to see what AI already is doing, check out the fan-made John Wick Nineteen Fifties-inspired Panavision trailer beneath. (Editor’s observe: This wasn’t created by Runway nor was it produced by Lionsgate.)
