One of my favorite things about filmmaking has always been the acting. The raw emotion actors are able to bring to a character and deliver in a performance is truly amazing. It’s these emotions that make stories come alive and allow audiences to relate to characters.
Now, imagine if this acting was done by artificial intelligence (AI). Imagine a computer trying to create those same emotions.
Well, imagine no further. Introducing Tilly Norwood: the world’s first AI actress.
Tilly Norwood is a “fake” computerized actress created by Particle6, a company that integrates pre-production, production, and post production with AI. Specifically, Dutch actress and comedian Eline Van der Velden created Norwood. Velden stated that the creation is not meant to replace actors, but rather to be used as a tool accompanying them. That being said, she also stated that she wanted Norwood to be the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman. I believe these statements contradict each other. By comparing Norwood to a real Hollywood actress, she is implying Norwood can replace a human. Thus, AI actors and human actors are in competition with one another.
As someone who is hoping to go into the film industry, Norwood and the creation of AI actors is beyond disturbing. Not only is she taking away the focus from real actors, how can she create art if she is not human? She cannot feel emotions, therefore how would she be able to deliver a meaningful performance?
Even though polls have shown audiences would rather watch real actors, of course there are going to be some production companies that want to explore the idea of using AI actors. An AI actor would not need filming accommodations, could film reshoots, and would be able to do their own stunts. All of this would be appealing to Hollywood executives because it could be cheaper.
SAG-AFTRA, (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) has publicly condemned the creation saying, “It doesn’t solve any ‘problem’ — it creates the problem of using stolen performances to put actors out of work, jeopardizing performer livelihoods and devaluing human artistry.” They have also stated their doubt that the AI actress would even be successful, something I agree with.
Personally, I do not think people would want to see a movie that was made using AI actors. Everyone is tired of hearing about how AI is damaging the arts, and this feels like another blow. Many actors have also shared their fear over the situation with Emily Blunt saying, “Does it disappoint me? I don’t know how to quite answer it, other than to say how terrifying this is.”
Although some agencies did express interest in representing Norwood they quickly received backlash. As of now, Norwood has not been signed, and it seems that most agencies are distancing themselves from the situation, a relief for now. Most of Hollywood’s major agencies have also publicly announced they will not sign her.
However, this is not the first integration of film production and AI in Hollywood. Wonder Studios is a British film company whose mission is to integrate AI into their productions. They recently partnered with Lewis Capaldi to create a music video for his song, “Something in the Heavens”: a powerful song, with themes about human connection. It’s difficult to watch the music video and not think about how contradictory the collaboration between Capaldi and Wonder Studios is. A song that is so deeply human coupled with something that is inherently not.
AI is taking away the raw element of human emotions and human connection. As AI continues to become more and more widely used, a line has to be drawn somewhere.
Though the film industry has continuously adapted to new technology, AI is something unto its own; an entirely different battle. The issue at Hollywood now is how far should AI go in a production, and how does that interfere with a film being seen as art?
