AI in Filmmaking + Hallucination Monster

6:13

With the 2025 Oscars this past weekend, I think it's only fitting that this week we talk about AI in filmmaking.

There's been quite a stir about how AI is making its way into Hollywood productions.

The Oscar Controversy

You might've seen the buzz around films like The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez at this year's ceremony.

Both of these productions used AI in really interesting ways – from enhancing Hungarian accents to refining architectural visualizations with tools like Midjourney.

I'm actually surprised at how well the accent technology worked. A lot of the discourse online has been about how the accents in Emilia Perez were still pretty bad.

However, five years ago, this kind of audio processing would have sounded robotic and unnatural, but we've reached a point where it's becoming seamlessly integrated into performances.

What's interesting is that despite all the AI innovations, it was Anora – a more traditional, low-budget indie film – that swept major categories.

We're watching a tug-of-war play out in real time between the newest tech and good, old-fashioned storytelling.

AI's Growing Role in Entertainment

I believe we are witnessing just the beginning of AI's transformation of the entertainment industry.

Here's where I think we'll see the most impact:

Script development – Writers are already using AI to iterate on drafts, explore plot variations, and improve dialogue. With recent legal guidance clarifying that properly enhanced AI-generated content can be trademarked, this will accelerate.
Visual development – Character designs, monster concepts, and storyboards that once took weeks can now be explored in days or even hours.
Production efficiency – AI is dramatically decreasing costs while speeding up production timelines, potentially democratizing who can create high-quality content.
Special effects integration – The boundary between practical and digital effects continues to blur, with AI making previously expensive visual elements more accessible to productions at all budget levels.

AI Movies: More Stop Motion Than Revolution

I've seen some of these so-called "AI-generated" movies floating around, and let me tell you – they're not quite the revolution they're made out to be.

Sure, they claim the scripts are AI-written, but in reality, these productions are still highly edited and feel more like stop-motion animation than truly autonomous AI creativity.

It reminds me of that hilarious South Park episode from 2023 – "Deep Learning" – where they actually used ChatGPT as a co-writer.

The episode pokes fun at using AI to write text messages and school essays, and the credits literally list "Trey Parker and ChatGPT" as the writers. In typical South Park fashion, they were ahead of the curve on both using AND mocking AI creative tools.

The Power Players Embrace AI

Did you catch the news that James Cameron joined the board of Stability AI? This was announced at the end of last year.

Cameron said he sees "the intersection of generative AI and CGI image creation as the next wave" that will "unlock new ways for artists to tell stories in ways we could have never imagined."

Coming from the director who's consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible on screen, I think that's saying something.

I think Cameron joining Stability adds a ton of credibility to AI in filmmaking. This isn't just some tech startup anymore – it's got one of Hollywood's most successful and innovative directors helping guide the way.

The Future of Filmmaking

Many people are worried that AI might compromise the authenticity of filmmaking. At the same time, AI is also acting as just another tool in the creative arsenal.

I personally am not worried about AI in filmmaking because I believe great storytelling will always require human insight and emotional intelligence.

What excites me most is how AI might enable more diverse voices to break into the industry by lowering technical barriers. It's not just about making blockbusters faster – it's about expanding who gets to make movies in the first place.

Until next time,
Ryan Ries

Now time for this week’s image and prompt I used to generate it.

An AI-generated image of an old male film producer using AI to make a scary muppet monster called Hallucination. The film producer is wearing an AWS t-shirt. "Create an image of an old male film producer using AI to make a scary muppet monster called Hallucination. The film producer is wearing an AWS t-shirt. "