Key Takeaways:
– George Miller, the filmmaker of ‘Furiosa’, used artificial intelligence to blend the faces of Anya Taylor-Joy and her child counterpart, Alyla Brown.
– The director opted for AI rather than digital de-ageing to ensure a smooth transition between actors.
– AI was used extensively, reaching around 80% of Taylor-Joy’s features on Brown for the transition.
– Anya Taylor-Joy asserted the necessity for consent and transparency when using AI in the film industry.
Artificial Intelligence’s Role in ‘Furiosa’
The film industry constantly evolves and, with technological advancements, the latest innovation Oscar-winning filmmaker George Miller has explored is artificial intelligence (AI). Application of AI in his latest film, ‘Furiosa’, ensured the matching features of Anya Taylor-Joy and Alyla Brown, depicting the younger and older versions of the same character.
During an interesting discussion on The Kelly Clarkson Show, as reported by Variety, Taylor-Joy revealed how Miller sought to use AI to offer a seamless visual experience for the audience. She explained that initial scenes fused about 35% of her features with Brown’s while nearing a complete transition, the blend reached an 80% mark of her attributes.
George Miller’s Decision to Use AI over Digital De-Ageing
The question arises whether it would’ve been simpler to digitally de-age Charlize Theron, the original Furiosa, instead of creating a match between Taylor-Joy and Brown. Miller did consider this option but felt it wouldn’t create as impactful an outcome as AI.
Miller shared, “I watched really masterful filmmakers like Ang Lee and Martin Scorsese doing Gemini Man and The Irishman, where they used de-ageing technology. Yet, I realized the technology still hasn’t been perfected. The focus would’ve remained on the technology, not the character.”
Hence, AI became a great alternative to build a convincing link between the actresses while retaining the essence of the character throughout the movie.
Transparency and Consent – The Ethical Norms of AI
Like any technology, AI usage in films can generate concerns and stir up debates among viewers. Given this context, Taylor-Joy asserts the importance of transparency in the utilization of AI in the entertainment industry. She maintains, “There’s a reason our industry went on strike. It is something that’s frightening. If you’re going to use it, you have to be honest about it, and it always has to be consensual. Lack of consent in anything in life is the scary thing.”
Her statement underscores the necessity to hold discussions on the ethical use of technology, especially when dealing with the recreation of actors’ faces on-screen.
Conclusion – Audience’s Perception of AI in ‘Furiosa’
The audiences’ perception of AI usage in ‘Furiosa’ remains subjective. Some noticed it while others did not. However, the effectiveness of the technology in maintaining actor continuity throughout the movie is undeniable.
The application of AI in the film industry is still in its infancy. With further progress coupled with transparency and consent, influential directors like Miller may pave the way for the mainstream use of this technology in filmmaking.
The experiment carried out in ‘Furiosa’ is an intriguing glimpse into the future of the entertainment industry. With this bold move, Miller not only challenged the norms but set a precedent for other filmmakers to explore the uncharted territories of AI application in the film industry.
