📣 In this issue:
Ai killing stock photography, a washed-out music video, Ai avatars, a retrofuture cartoon, Ripley’s dream, Ai twins, and soft pastels.
Ai Filmcraft
Before we get started, check out my showcase of Ai generated and assisted film shorts over at AiFilmcraft.com
📰 News-To-Know
1
Ai killing stock photography
Adobe's executive vice president, Scott Belsky, compares the rise of generative AI in the realm of digital imaging to the advent of the digital camera, suggesting it represents a revolutionary shift in the industry. This technology is increasingly being adopted by stock photography platforms, offering a cheaper, faster, and more controllable alternative to traditional stock photos.
The Details:
Generative AI is disrupting traditional creative processes, notably in industries reliant on stock photography such as marketing and publishing.
Adobe, a key player in digital imaging, views AI as a transformative tool akin to the digital camera.
The technology allows for the creation of realistic images from simple text prompts, providing a cost-effective alternative to commissioning photographs.
Major stock photo sites like Shutterstock and Getty Images are incorporating AI-generated imagery, offering these as viable alternatives to traditional photographs.
Concerns arise among photographers who foresee a decline in demand for traditional stock photography due to the convenience and cost-efficiency of AI-generated images.
Despite the push for AI imagery, there is still a demand for real photos, though companies continue to explore AI options aggressively.
Why It Matters:
The integration of AI in stock photography underscores a broader trend of automation and AI adoption across various industries, which could drastically reduce the demand for human photographers. While this shift promises significant cost reductions and operational efficiencies for businesses, it poses substantial risks to traditional roles and industries, potentially leading to job displacements. As such, this technological shift is not just a transformation of tools but also a fundamental change in how visual content is produced and consumed.
2
A washed-out Ai music video?
Indie pop artist Washed Out (Ernest Greene), and filmmaker Paul Trillo, have collaborated to produce "The Hardest Part," a music video fully created using OpenAI's Sora text-to-video technology. This marks a significant first in the intersection of AI and mainstream music video production.
The Details:
The video narratively portrays a couple's life journey without using real actors or physical locations, relying entirely on AI-generated imagery.
Director Paul Trillo utilized detailed text prompts to create the video with Sora's AI, enabling artistic experimentation without the constraints of traditional video production budgets or locations.
Ernest Greene expressed initial reservations about using AI due to his preference for authenticity and emotional connection in his work. However, he was ultimately impressed by the possibilities AI opened up.
The video has sparked mixed reactions. Some viewers appreciate the innovative use of technology and artistic exploration, while others criticize it for lacking human warmth and for its unsettling "uncanny valley" effect.
Comments from the Washed Out subreddit reflect this polarization, with some users applauding the artistic breakthrough and others feeling alienated by the artificial nature of the video.
Why It Matters:
This AI-driven project illustrates a budding trend in the music industry, where technological advancements are reshaping creative expression. The use of AI in music video production can democratize the field, allowing artists with smaller budgets to realize more ambitious projects. However, the mixed reception highlights ongoing debates about the role of AI in art, particularly concerning authenticity and emotional resonance.
Make your own mind up about it, see it in the Watch List below …
3
The Ai Avatar revolution
AI-created virtual avatars are revolutionizing digital marketing by blending the traits of traditional influencers and fictional characters, increasing brand engagement across various industries.
The Details:
Adoption by Major Brands: Companies like BMW and Maybelline are utilizing virtual influencers for product endorsements, illustrating widespread industry acceptance.
Characteristics and Capabilities: These avatars range from realistic to fantastical in appearance and are immortal and versatile in use, appearing in ad campaigns to social media.
Technological Integration: Advances in AI, 3D modeling, and motion capture are driving the creation and application of these virtual beings.
Economic and Practical Benefits: Virtual influencers can be created and deployed quickly, reducing costs and logistical challenges associated with human models.
Ethical Considerations: With the rise of virtual content, the importance of ethical practices and transparency in digital advertising is increasingly emphasized.
Why It Matters:
Virtual influencers represent a significant shift in digital advertising strategies, offering a blend of innovation, cost-effectiveness, and extensive reach. This trend not only enhances user engagement but also sets new standards for the integration of technology in marketing, promising a future where digital and real-world promotions converge seamlessly.
👀 Watch List
Two picks from the AiFilmcraft collection…
Washed Out “The Hardest Part”
The first official commissioned music video collaboration between a music artist and filmmaker made with OpenAI's Sora video model.
SciFi Retrofuture Cartoon
Created using the Reforum tool and the powerful StableDiffusion XL model EndjourneyXL with Lora XLFullArt
Aliens: Ripley's Dream
Short AI Film featuring the likenesses of Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Lance Henricksen, and Carrie Henn
⏳ ICYMI
LinkedIn co-founder interviews himself
LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman created an Ai twin - and it’s amazingly real - and disturbing.
🎨 Inspiration
Soft Pastels
Soft pastels have a rich history in art that spans centuries. They gained prominence during the Renaissance period, with artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo using them for preparatory sketches and studies. However, pastels as we know them today emerged in the 18th century when they became a popular medium for portrait and landscape artists in Europe.
During the 19th century, pastel painting experienced a resurgence, particularly in France, where artists like Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt used pastels extensively in their Impressionist works. The immediacy and versatility of pastels allowed these artists to capture light, color, and movement with remarkable precision and spontaneity.
In the 20th century, pastels continued to be favored by artists across various movements, from the Fauvists to the Expressionists. Artists like Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso explored the expressive potential of pastels, pushing the boundaries of the medium and experimenting with bold colors and dynamic compositions.
Today, pastels remain a popular choice for artists working in various styles and genres. Their vibrant colors, soft texture, and ease of use make them suitable for everything from quick sketches and studies to intricate, finished artworks.
Midjourney Prompt
A [little princess in a red dress with a crown is riding on the back of her dragon], soft pastels and whimsical characters, dreamlike landscape, subconscious theme
/settings: Version 6 and Stylize Med
What Next?
As always, consider this prompt as your starting point. Make it your own!
Missing out
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Subscription is pretty reasonable, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Paid subscribers also get their own copy of my Ai Prompt Pod, pre-filled with fantastic text-to-image prompts. So subscribe today and take your Ai Art and Animation to the next level …
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