Paul Schrader has consistently expressed support for AI – or at least as a 79-year-old director who is uncommonly interested in exploring technological advancements.
Nevertheless, his keynote address on Thursday at AI on the Lot outlined a vision for the future of cinema that resonated with an audience already supportive of the cause, yet is expected to provoke controversy elsewhere in the industry.
I don't believe the true commercial future of AI lies in all this flashy, over-the-top stuff—those are just exaggerated special effects on steroids," he said. "The real breakthrough comes when we can develop an AI main character, not a mix-and-match version, and that film generates revenue. Imagine creating a new Clint Eastwood movie, but instead of mentioning 'Clint Eastwood' to the AI, you simply describe him, and he appears as Clint Eastwood.
Schrader pointed out the response those actions are expected to provoke. "Clint will say, 'Wait, you're stealing my image' and you'll reply, 'No, I just described someone who is so tall and of this weight. There are many people who look like you, Clint.' And then the movie is released, and we carbon-based beings end up spending our money feeling empathy and concern for silicon-based characters."
In outlining his vision, which "I may be around to witness," Schrader mentioned that it was different from the perspective of Albert Cheng, head of AI studios at Amazon MGM Studios, whotalked on Wednesday at the conference. Citing worries about intellectual property, Cheng stated he anticipates films to maintain a significant human element, with Schrader comparing this method to how Sam Worthington and other performers act as foundational elements in James Cameron’s work.Avatar films.
Schrader gained recognition through his initial work with Martin Scorsese, writing the screenplays forTaxi Driver and The Final Temptation of Christ. As a director, he has recently released a series of highly praised films, including the "man in a room" trilogy ofFirst Reformed, The Card Counter and Master Gardener.
Throughout his journey, the filmmaker has also emerged as an unexpected advocate for technology, frequently discussing it on Facebook. (One recent post about his breakup with an AI girlfriend garnered significant attention.) Schrader informed the audience on Thursday that his social media announcement regarding his keynote at the conference triggered a "tsunami" of responses (approximately 500 in total), mostly negative, questioning why he would do such a thing. He mentioned his long-standing intention to create a fully AI-driven film, a concept he pointed out is currently being explored by movies likeDreams of Violets, which is scheduled to debut at next month's Tribeca Festival.
Schrader captivated the Lot audience with the AI, earning laughter and cheers as he shared excerpts from an eight-page treatment for "a Paul Schrader script idea," pausing frequently to flip through the printed document. The treatment was created in minutes (much quicker than the usual four to six months), and he mentioned it incorporated "everything I have ever written." It presented a narrative about a former Catholic who fights against pornography and works as a debt collector before entering online sex communities in search of a younger woman. "AI doesn't create," Schrader noted. "It combines."
Businesses should consider utilizing AI to produce new episodes of television classics such asI Love Lucy, My Three Sons or The Love Boat, Schrader said. "Revisit those classic franchises, that's a guaranteed success," he stated.
Human extra actors are also targeted by Schrader. "I was on the plane watchingWicked," he said. "Why are we paying additional $180 per day when they appear so artificial? Not only do we compensate them, but we also need to provide them with clothing and food. Why don't we just"makeThem? We can and we will.
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