The return of Gollum to the cinema in the Lord of the Rings film: The Hunt for Gollum brought up discussions about the role of technology. Andy Serkis, an actor known for his motion capture work, clarified how artificial intelligence will be employed in the production.
The actor and director informed Variety that artificial intelligence will have a restricted function in the feature film. He emphasized the importance of human performance even in an era of great digital advancements. Serkis specified that AI will only be used in specific contexts, such as in the digital rejuvenation processes of certain characters, and not to generate complete scenes.
He stressed that every scene will be produced following traditional methods. The director's vision is to preserve the visual elements that define the franchise, such as the use of miniatures, prosthetics, and practical effects. For Serkis, digital resources should serve to complement the artists' work, not to replace the techniques established in cinematic construction.
Despite the advancement of artificial intelligence, Serkis maintains the belief that current technology is not yet capable of replicating a complete performance. In the actor's view, motion capture remains an interpretation performed by human beings, loaded with creative choices that give personality to the characters.
Among the main points highlighted by the director are: the application of AI only in the rejuvenation of some characters; the maintenance of focus on miniatures, prosthetics, and practical effects; the continuation of motion capture based on actors' performances; and the possibility of artificial intelligence benefiting cinema when applied responsibly.
Additionally, Serkis argued that motion capture work should be recognized in the traditional Oscar categories, without the need to create a specific award for it, stating that 'It is high time'. With The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, Serkis seeks to reconcile traditional production methods with modern tools, conveying the idea that technology opens new doors for cinema, but character creation depends on sensitivity and artistic decisions.
In another context, Serkis commented on the project Animal Farm, an animation based on George Orwell's work that took approximately a decade to complete. This project generated debate and resistance in the United States due to various political interpretations. The director clarified that the goal was not to support one specific side, but rather to debate crucial themes such as the abuse of power, disinformation, and the relevance of truth.
During her participation in an event at the Aspen Ideas Festival, actress Jodie Foster expressed her conviction that the film 'F1,' starring Brad Pitt and released last year, may have been developed under strong influence from artificial intelligence.
In a panel focused on the future of the audiovisual industry, the two-time Oscar winner described the work as an example where both narrative structures and dialogues seem to align with typical patterns of automated systems, which, according to her, suggests the presence of this technology in the creative process.
Foster's observations come amid intense discussions in Hollywood regarding the use of AI, its effects on the job market, and changes in filmmaking methods. She assessed that the movie 'F1' has a narrative construction very close to predictable models, linking this characteristic to possible interventions by artificial intelligence in the script.
Additionally, the actress pointed out that the characters' dialogues follow quite conventional patterns, reinforcing the hypothesis that automated tools may have assisted in writing the film starring Brad Pitt. Furthermore, Foster raised the issue that artificial intelligence can generate substantial changes in the entertainment sector, affecting traditional industry functions.
The actress suggested that unions should intervene to regulate the use of this technology, arguing that actors should receive extra compensation if their performances or images are replicated by digital systems. However, Foster acknowledged the benefits of AI in specific phases of production, such as creating visual plans and pre-visualizations. She cited the film 'Private Life,' where AI-generated images were used in a dream sequence, resulting in a satisfying effect, despite the images being considered logically incoherent.
This debate takes place while the film 'F1' demonstrates great commercial success, surpassing the mark of 634 million dollars in worldwide revenue and receiving recognition at awards ceremonies, including the Oscar for Best Sound and other technical nominations.
