Eye on AI: Filmmaking

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The introduction of artificial intelligence into the filmmaking industry has been both welcomed and resisted, depending on who you talk to.

Local screenwriter Michael Corcoran's spent years honing his craft. The Kenosha math teacher by day successfully wrote his own way into Hollywood. Last year, "Righteous Thieves" - a screen play he wrote - made it to the big screen.

"For me, I'm just getting started as far as a career goes, and at the same time, AI is coming in to take that job. Yeah, it's very concerning, it's a little bit scary," said Corcoran.

In 2023, a strike by the Writers Guild of America ended with a contract that places restrictions on AI.

"We all write a piece of us into every scene, or every story line, or every character, whether it's big, small... and I think you lose that human connection when you just rely on the machine or the computer to come up with the script," said Corcoran.

This is what concerns writers. AI generators, like this one from Invideo, out of Ukraine. Just type in a few ideas and it does the rest.

"You can give it basically a genre, a premise and it will put out a whole script," said Corcoran.

Corcoran's concerned what AI will do to the next generation of filmmakers, like Max Kellerhals. He graduated from Carthage College last year, producing videos for his film classes.

Kellerhals says the only bit of AI students were taught to use was something to correct their grammar.

"Where it was just like write your script, write it for what you want and then it would mostly be used to help fix up errors, like grammar and spelling. And I have no problem with, like, AI being used in that sense, if it's to help humans kind of improve upon their own script. So, using AI to come up with new stuff is a bit questionable," said Kellerhals.

But directors, producers and writers are finding benefits in AI. Often, it's to cut down on some expense.

"We have a client that came in a couple weeks ago, that had to film in about 15 different locations with about 30 different kids, and they brought them all here. We filmed 15 locations within six hours," said Alex Kudrna, Backyard Dream owner.

The LED wall in his studio has 2D images. Some are AI generated.

Production companies like Backyard Dream, in Kenosha, are utilizing AI in ways they say get their clients' creative juices flowing. It can take them from a warehouse to a field instantly.

"I feel AI is another tool for filmmakers and production companies. I think a lot of people are scared of it like our parents were scared of the internet when it first started," said Kudrna.

AI can generate scripts and rewrite copy, suggest plots based on previous films. Video game performers have also sought protections for their images and voices.

Russel Morgan, of Morgan Legal Group P.C., represented thousands who went on strike.

"Let's say they - you have a contract with the studio, and you've done any type of voice work or acting work and then they go and use your likeness, your voice, your image and they create some sort of content using artificial intelligence rather than you doing the actual work. You have no rights to any royalties," said Morgan.

"Yes, there is some negative sides about it, especially for actors, but on the production side of it, creating these images, creating a starting point on the creative end of production, it is an incredible tool and a resource that I don't think should be overlooked," said Kudrna.