AI in Filmmaking Sparks Debate: "The Brutalist" Producer Defends Its Use, Academy Considers Guidelines

The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into filmmaking is generating both excitement and apprehension within the industry. This tension was palpable at the recent Academy Awards, where the Oscar-winning film "The Brutalist" found itself at the center of a debate regarding the ethical and practical implications of AI’s role in creative production.

D.J. Gugenheim, a producer on "The Brutalist," addressed the controversy surrounding the film’s use of AI during an interview with Deadline on Oscars night. Gugenheim positioned AI as simply another tool in the filmmaker’s arsenal, akin to lighting or sound design, all of which rely on numerical functions. He emphasized that the core of filmmaking remains the talent and creativity of actors and other professionals. According to Gugenheim, the crucial factor is whether the AI is used to enhance the creative process and improve the final product without displacing human jobs. He added, "The problem, I think, with AI is when we take away a job."

The specific AI applications in "The Brutalist" that triggered the discussion were primarily related to the Hungarian dialogue spoken by actors Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones. Dávid Jancsó, the film’s editor, revealed to Red Shark News that AI tools from Respeecher, a Ukrainian software company, were employed to refine the actors’ pronunciation.

Jancsó, a native Hungarian speaker, explained that Hungarian is notoriously difficult for non-native speakers to master. While Brody and Jones underwent extensive coaching, the production team sought to further perfect their pronunciation to the point where even native speakers would be unable to detect any imperfections. To achieve this, Brody and Jones recorded their voices into the AI software, which was then used to fine-tune specific vowels and sounds. Jancsó also utilized his own voice for certain dialectal elements.

Furthermore, generative AI was used to create a series of architectural drawings and building designs in the style of Brody’s character, an architect, for the film’s final sequence. These designs were intended to reflect the character’s artistic vision and provide a visual representation of his architectural style.

The revelation of these AI applications ignited a wave of controversy, prompting calls for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to establish clear guidelines and disclosure requirements regarding the use of AI in films. Concerns were raised about the potential for AI to replace human actors, writers, and other creative professionals, as well as the ethical implications of manipulating performances and generating art through algorithms.

Responding to the controversy, director Brady Corbet issued a statement to Variety, defending the film’s use of AI. He stressed that Brody and Jones’ performances were entirely their own, resulting from months of intensive work with dialect coach Tanera Marshall. Corbet clarified that the Respeecher technology was only used in post-production for the Hungarian dialogue, specifically to refine certain vowels and letters for accuracy. He emphasized that no English language was altered and that the process was a manual one, carried out by the sound team and Respeecher with the goal of preserving the authenticity of the actors’ performances, not replacing them.

Corbet also addressed concerns about the use of AI in the film’s visual elements, stating that production designer Judy Becker and her team did not employ AI to create or render any of the buildings. He clarified that all images were hand-drawn by artists. He further explained that the images in the memorial video featured in the background of a shot were intentionally designed to resemble poor digital renderings from the 1980s.

The debate surrounding AI in "The Brutalist" reflects a broader discussion taking place within the entertainment industry and beyond. The use of AI in filmmaking raises fundamental questions about the nature of creativity, the role of human artistry, and the potential for technology to both enhance and disrupt traditional artistic practices.

Other recent films have also incorporated AI in various ways, highlighting the diverse applications of the technology in filmmaking. "Emilia Perez" used AI to increase the vocal range of its star, Karla Sofia Gascon, while "Dune: Part Two" employed AI to create the distinct glowing blue eyes of the Fremen characters. Even the Bob Dylan biopic, "A Complete Unknown," utilized AI, albeit minimally, for brief wide shots on a motorcycle.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is actively considering the issue of AI in filmmaking and is likely to establish guidelines and disclosure requirements in the near future. The challenge will be to strike a balance between embracing the potential benefits of AI as a tool for enhancing creativity and protecting the interests of human artists and creative professionals.

Ariana Grande recently expressed her concerns regarding AI after fan-edited posters caused controversy for the star, calling the use of AI "troublesome."

As AI technology continues to evolve and become more sophisticated, the debate surrounding its use in filmmaking is likely to intensify. The industry must grapple with the ethical, legal, and creative implications of AI to ensure that it is used responsibly and in a way that enhances, rather than diminishes, the art of filmmaking.