Brad Pitt Backs AI Filmmaking “As A Tool”

Brad Pitt in Babylon out in the UK and Ireland from Paramount Pictures on 20th January 2023)

Brad Pitt plays Jack Conrad in Babylon from Paramount Pictures.

Blockbuster star Brad Pitt has stirred controversy recently with his pro-AI comments when it comes to filmmaking, arguing that content generated using the new technology systems is simply the future of filmmaking when it comes to certain budgets.

โ€œThereโ€™s a lot of pushback against AI,โ€ he stated to Esquire mag, โ€œbut AI is going to be the very thing that, if used as a tool, is going to help these mid-budget films, $40 to $90 million-budgeted films, get made.โ€

Of course, the actor was further pressed on the issue of AI-generated actors, such as Tilly Norwood, designed and unleashed into the film world by Eline van der Velden’s production studio, Particle6, as this would mean he would be out of work as digitally created faces take over as movie stars.

โ€œWell, it depends on whoโ€™s creating it, you know? Whoโ€™s behind it, whoโ€™s telling the story,โ€ the film star replied. โ€œWhoโ€™s saying, โ€˜I want to see this emotion from him,โ€™ and then being able to mine through whatever AI provides and going, โ€˜More in this direction,โ€™ and tailoring it in that way.”

So they could, but the final product might not be my choices and what I found and discovered in the thing,” Pitt concluded.

The star also added he recently “heard an AI song the other day that was pretty damn good,” showcasing an appreciation for Artificial Intelligence embedding itself into all art forms. However, he did acknowledge the downside that content made that way holds “a repetitive nature to it.”

Itโ€™s not going to be the same as hearing her voiceโ€”a womanโ€™s voice, a personโ€™s voice,” Pitt added.

Read more about AI in filmmaking here

The film community on social media platforms, such as X, weren’t unified on Pitt’s opinions, with one user stating, “Hilarious that $90 million would be considered ‘mid-budget’ these days. Hollywood has destroyed itself. You could make 10 good movies for that amount with just a little talent and creativity.”

He’s not lying, but people don’t want to see AI slop,” another user considered. “If it’s done tastefully and someone could find a way to create more jobs using the same technology within the industry while also helping smaller film creators, then it could be a win-win.”

AI used in filmmaking, whether that be script ideas, writing, organising research, visual sequences or promotional work, has been a hot topic, landing advocates for the technology in hot water with film fans. Horror creator Eli Roth recently faced controversy after admitting his latest, Ice Cream Man, used AI material for a key sequence, as well as Warner Bros facing backlash for using AI podcast animation for its promotional work for The End of Oak Street.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s upcoming film, a thriller, will also reportedly use AI.

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About the Author

Ros Tibbs

Editor

Ros is a film and lit graduate writing news and reviews at The People's Magazine. She also writes long-form film theory, film history, analytical or curated recommendations pieces on other platforms.

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