Hollywood actors on strike, Telugu producer uses AI for his movie

Hollywood actors’ guild SAG-AFTRA has been protesting against Hollywood studios for the last few months seeking protection against the use of artificial intelligence to replicate a performer’s image and voice in movies besides higher compensation for their work. The 160,000-member performers union went on strike in mid-July and they haven’t found a compromise yet, despite multiple rounds of discussions.

Meanwhile, a Telugu producer has utilized Artificial Intelligence for his upcoming movie “Devil’ featuring Nandamuri Kalyan Ram. “Using Artificial Intelligence demands a special skill and expertise in fine arts,” says a source.

Actually, the gripping story of a British Agent (Kalyan Ram) who sets out on a mission to unearth the truth in the pre-Independence era, and it is a huge task to recreate the yesteryear world with just imagination and references. “AI has come in handy since it recreates whatever location or scene we demand as authentically as possible. It has expanded my visual imagination and we will be offering eye-pleasing for viewers,” says producer-director Abhishek Nama, who claims that AI will not cut into human work.

‘That is only a myth because AI will be a value addition to human work in dishing out spectacular visuals and backgrounds. For instance, we created sets, artifacts, and varied locations by using AI software, and our storyboard was loaded with splendid visuals authentically replicating the pre-Independence era. We shared those visuals with an art director, who claimed that his work has become easier and erected sets accordingly,” he adds.

He claims that AI has come as a boon for filmmakers; if it is properly utilized as it cuts costs and also enhances the imagery of a film, particularly period-centric movies. “Everything can be done on our couch with a laptop and just needs a bit of imagination and intelligence,” he concludes.