February 24th 2024.
Renowned filmmaker Tyler Perry has recently made the decision to put a hold on his plans for an $800 million expansion of his Atlanta studio, and the reason behind this unexpected move is none other than artificial intelligence. Perry was left in awe after witnessing the capabilities of OpenAI's new text-to-video model, Sora, and is now reconsidering the need for 12 additional sound stages on his already massive 330-acre studio.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Perry had the opportunity to test out Sora shortly after its debut on February 15th, and the experience was nothing short of mind-blowing for him. He was impressed by the advanced technology's potential to eliminate the need for traveling to different locations or building expensive sets for his productions.
"Being told that it can do all of these things is one thing, but actually seeing the capabilities, it was mind-blowing," Perry shared. As a business owner, he recognizes the potential benefits of these tech advancements, but as an employer, actor, and filmmaker, he also sees the potential dangers.
"There's got to be some sort of regulations in order to protect us. If not, I just don't see how we survive," he expressed his concerns. Perry has now put his plans to expand his production studio on hold indefinitely due to the power of the new Sora tool. He had been keeping an eye on the emerging OpenAI wave and expected changes in the industry, but the extent of it still caught him off guard.
"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," Perry shared. Sora, the newest product of OpenAI, is an AI model that allows users to create realistic and imaginative scenes simply by typing in instructions. Perry was given an early test run and was amazed by the possibilities it presented.
"If I wanted to be in the snow in Colorado, it's text. If I wanted to write a scene on the moon, it's text, and this AI can generate it like nothing," he explained. He also pointed out how this new technology would help cut production costs, stating that he no longer needs to build elaborate sets on his studio lot. "I can sit in an office and do this with a computer, which is shocking to me," he added.
Perry sees OpenAI as a game-changer in the entertainment industry, but he also acknowledges the potential job loss that could occur as a result. "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," he expressed. In fact, in September, Hollywood writers and actors ended a long strike after reaching a deal that included protections against the growing AI wave.
The new contract states that studios cannot use AI to write or edit scripts without a writer's involvement, and they cannot use AI-generated content as source material for reduced compensation and credit for screenwriters. However, with Perry's recent revelations and hesitation to expand his studio, it could be a forewarning of what's to come in the entire industry.
It's no secret that Tyler Perry has carved out a successful business model in the film industry, particularly for Black cinema. However, with the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, the future of this industry may take a different turn. Only time will tell how this new technology will impact the entertainment world, but for now, Perry's decision to put his studio expansion on hold serves as a reflection of the potential changes that lie ahead.
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