TL;DR:
- Tyler Perry halts $800m studio expansion due to OpenAI’s Sora
- Sora’s capabilities shock Perry, leading to indefinite project suspension
- AI advancements may eliminate the need for location shoots and set constructions
- Concerns arise over potential job losses across various film industry roles
- Perry emphasizes the need for industry-wide measures to address AI’s impact
Main AI News:
Tyler Perry has temporarily halted an $800m (£630m) expansion project for his Atlanta studio complex following the unveiling of OpenAI’s Sora, a video generator that has sent ripples through the industry. Perry cautioned that the film sector is poised to witness significant job losses due to artificial intelligence.
The renowned US film and television tycoon revealed that plans to add 12 sound stages to his studio are now indefinitely on hold after witnessing Sora’s “stunning” capabilities. In an exclusive interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Perry expressed his astonishment, stating, “All of that is currently and indefinitely on hold because of Sora and what I’m seeing. I had gotten word over the last year or so that this was coming, but I had no idea until I saw recently the demonstrations of what it’s able to do. It’s shocking to me.”
Launched on 15 February, Sora garnered widespread attention for its ability to generate realistic one-minute video footage based on simple text prompts, with access initially limited to select researchers and video creators. Perry, known for his successful Madea film series, acknowledged that Sora’s advancements could potentially eliminate the need for location shoots or elaborate set constructions, remarking, “I can sit in an office and do this with a computer, which is shocking to me.”
OpenAI’s demonstrations showcased photorealistic scenes in response to prompts, such as requesting a shot of people strolling through a “beautiful, snowy Tokyo city” where “gorgeous sakura petals are flying through the wind along with snowflakes.”
Perry emphasized that Sora’s breakthroughs would impact various roles across the film industry, including actors, editors, sound technicians, and transportation crews. Expressing deep concern, he stated, “I am very, very concerned that in the near future, a lot of jobs are going to be lost. I really, really feel that very strongly.”
Highlighting an immediate repercussion, Perry noted that construction workers and contractors would no longer be required for his studio expansion project due to the advent of AI technology. He disclosed his recent use of AI in two films, where the technology was employed to age his face and streamline makeup processes, thus reducing hours spent in the chair.
The looming threat of AI on employment has been a focal point in recent strikes by Hollywood actors and writers, with negotiated settlements including provisions to regulate its usage. Perry stressed the necessity for a comprehensive industry-wide strategy to safeguard jobs, emphasizing, “It can’t be one union fighting every contract every two or three years. I think that it has to be everybody, all involved in how we protect the future of our industry because it is changing rapidly, right before our eyes.”
Conclusion:
The suspension of Tyler Perry’s studio expansion highlights the disruptive potential of AI, particularly in the film industry. With advancements like Sora, traditional practices such as location shoots and set constructions could become obsolete, raising concerns about widespread job losses. Industry stakeholders must collaborate on comprehensive strategies to adapt to this rapidly evolving landscape and mitigate its impact on employment and production practices.
