At the beginning of the 21st century, Al Pacino starred in “S1m0ne,” a film about a director who creates a computer-generated actress. Now, nearly 25 years later, a real AI actress named Tilly Norwood is making waves in Hollywood.
Tilly’s launch has stirred strong reactions in the industry. Whoopi Goldberg and Emily Blunt have expressed concerns about AI’s potential to take over roles. Eline van der Velden, Tilly’s creator, didn’t anticipate this backlash. She aimed to make Tilly a global sensation, believing that generative AI can enhance creativity and cut costs.
Creating Tilly involved about 2,000 revisions. Van der Velden, a former actress herself, wanted to ensure Tilly could act. Initially, she was not satisfied with the early results; the acting didn’t meet her standards.
In a bold statement, van der Velden shared her vision: she wants Tilly to be the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman—not to replace human actors but to exist in a separate AI genre. Yet, her team has turned down offers for Tilly to co-star with real actors.
Sean Astin, president of SAG-AFTRA, highlighted the ongoing debate regarding AI in acting. He believes while Tilly may serve as an interesting character, she shouldn’t be labeled an “actress.” Astin likened the current state of AI in Hollywood to a tsunami—overwhelming and fast-moving. He stressed the need for protections against unauthorized use of performers’ likenesses.
AI’s increasing presence isn’t limited to movies. Already, we’ve seen AI-generated scenes in shows like Amazon’s “House of David” and even an AI model starring in a ad for Vogue magazine. This shift has left producers feeling a mix of excitement and fear about how to incorporate AI into their projects.
Kevin Reilly, a former entertainment executive and now the CEO of Kartel.ai, views AI as a transformative tool. He believes that while AI can save money, the real potential lies in its creative power. For instance, his company created an AI-generated advertisement that featured multiple versions of a person in various stunning locations—all without the typical constraints of a traditional shoot.
As AI continues to evolve, the conversation remains whether it will be a friend or foe to traditional actors. Van der Velden sees it as a tool for creativity, while Astin maintains that nothing can replace human talent. The future seems uncertain, with technology poised to change how we approach storytelling.
For more information, you can check out Broadcast International for insights on the AI-driven entertainment industry.
Source link
Hollywood, Artificial Intelligence
