DreamWorks co-founder Jeff Katzenberg has made a bold prediction: Artificial intelligence (AI) will cut the cost of making animated movies by 90% within the next three years.
AI to Cut Costs by 90% in 3 Years
In a panel discussion at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, Katzenberg said that AI will revolutionize the animation industry, making it possible to create world-class films with a fraction of the time and resources that are currently required.
“In the good old days, you might need 500 artists and years to make a world-class animated movie,” Katzenberg said. “I don’t think it will take 10% of that three years from now.”
Katzenberg’s prediction is based on the rapid progress that has been made in AI in recent years. AI-powered tools are already being used to streamline many aspects of the animation process, from storyboarding to character design to animation itself.
For example, AI can now be used to generate realistic facial expressions and body movements for animated characters. This can save animators a tremendous amount of time and effort, and it can also help to create more lifelike and believable characters.
AI can also be used to automate many of the repetitive tasks that are involved in making an animated movie. For example, AI can be used to create background sets, props, and other assets. This can free up animators to focus on the more creative aspects of the filmmaking process.
Katzenberg’s prediction that AI will cut the cost of making animated movies by 90% may seem ambitious, but it is certainly within the realm of possibility. AI is already having a major impact on the animation industry, and it is only going to become more important in the years to come.
Here are some specific ways that AI is being used to cut costs in the animation industry:
AI-powered storyboarding tools can help animators to quickly and easily develop their ideas. These tools can also be used to generate different versions of a scene, which can help animators to find the best approach.
AI-powered character design tools can help animators to create realistic and believable characters. These tools can also be used to generate different variations of a character, which can help animators to find the perfect look for their film.
AI-powered animation tools can help animators to create complex and realistic movements. These tools can also be used to automate repetitive tasks, such as animating lip movements and facial expressions.
AI-powered rendering tools can help animators to create high-quality images quickly and efficiently. These tools can also be used to generate different effects, such as lighting and shading.
In addition to cutting costs, AI is also helping to make animation more accessible to a wider range of creators. With AI-powered tools, it is now possible to create high-quality animated films without having a large team of artists or a lot of money.
This is good news for the animation industry as a whole, as it will lead to more creative and diverse films being made. It is also good news for consumers, as it will make animated films more affordable and accessible.
Here are some examples of how AI is being used to create animated movies today:
The 2019 Disney film “Frozen 2” used AI to generate the realistic snow and ice effects in the film.
The 2020 Pixar film “Soul” used AI to generate the complex and expressive facial expressions for the film’s characters.
The 2021 Netflix film “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” used AI to generate the film’s unique and eye-catching visual style.
These are just a few examples of how AI is being used to create animated movies today. As AI technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and groundbreaking uses of AI in animation in the years to come.
