Animation : Using Proceduralism and AI to create this animated short. by Terence Daniels

That is a very interesting approach, I could certainly see this as a time saver for pre viz. I'll have to look into it, I use Unreal a good amount.

Amazing!!

It would be interesting if they gave you the option to make changes: modify (or replace) the script, swap out characters, adjust the acting (to match the lines better), and choose your camera angles.

Mike Boas Yes that is all within the workflow.

This is just the beginning. AI will do to indie animation what the DSLR did to indie live-action. It will be a good and horrible thing all at once.

Advanced and rudimentary at the same time. Very repetitive and almost pedantic on the subject. AI just can't write nuanced dialogue. Feels more of a teaching tool than a narrative. That said, it's pretty wild what it can create off simple prompts. Happy the guilds have developed guidelines for usage right now.

Sam Sokolow I just got a survey questionairre from the Animation Guild for input on how they will approach guidelines for AI usage for the upcoming contract negotiations. This will be interesting to watch, as they have the most to lose, along with the VFX folks. With studios continuing to downsize and lay off animation personnel, will the guild have enough leverage to preserve jobs, and will other guilds support them? I don't see SAG or WGA suggesting that their members would not participate in productions that AI animated. There wasn't that much support back in the day when runway productions occurred.

Devastating. Unnecessary. Soul killing.

PS. Go Vegan!

Haha! What's that...? We're going into production next week.

No but seriously, do you think the order of operations might change with this shift in technology. Usually you'd have to work a while at worst as an inbetweener. Now you have the chance to prove your directing skill without ever putting a line down. Had nepotism been a factor or is that a myth?

Terence Daniels This technology will wipe out most jobs in the industry, not just inbetweening. Not everyone desires to be or is suited to be a director. And even those who did will be competing with seasoned directors and storyboard artists - many of whom are currently unemployed. This technology will devastate most companies' art staff, but will help liberate independent producers and open the door to those interested in animation but didn't want to put the time and effort into learning how to do it. It's a dual-edged sword, and depending on which side of the blade you are on will determine if it is a bad or good thing.

I think AI will wipe out most jobs in the industry too, Bob Harper. Sadly. That's one reason why I won't use AI to help me write my scripts and why I won't use AI to make movies from my scripts.

"Open the door to those interested in animation but didn't want to put the time and effort into learning how to do it." You're right. And that's laziness. In my opinion, if someone doesn't put in the time and effort to learn how to do it, they shouldn't be making art. AI is a bad shortcut, and you know what happens with bad shortcuts. They lead to trouble, pain, destruction, and disaster.

I think the idea of a double edge sword is a good visual for this sort of issue, however AI will always lack the specificity to create exactly what is in the mind of an artist so I think for the creators that aren't creating on a trend but doing something unique it won't be a complete destroyer.

Maurice Vaughan I agree with you, plus like I mentioned before, it will create a glut of content that will be part of the noise that makes it hard for true creatives to be heard and seen.

Daniel Husbands I agree, AI will not destroy creators. CG didn't destroy stop motion, although it crippled traditional animation on the feature level. There will still be creatives who will do things their own way. But as far as studios are concerned, they will go with the faster and cheaper approach anytime they can.

Let's hope the work by true creatives rises above the noise, Bob Harper. I love seeing work that's created by people, and AI looks so weird to me.

With all of the experimenting I've been doing I predict this will be just one tool in the production process of animation as we now know it.

Terence Daniels Unfortunately this tool will replace many artists currently working at studios in a variety of departments from, concept art, storyboarding, character design, animation, modeling, rigging etc., etc., etc.

It's really an opportunity for indie artists to get together and tell the stories they've always wanted to.