OpenAI is reported to have engaged with film studios and directors, aiming to attract Hollywood’s attention during meetings.
In late February, OpenAI arranged initial discussions in Hollywood, spearheaded by COO Brad Lightcap.
OpenAI aims to enter the film industry.
The AI startup has arranged meetings in Los Angeles for the coming week with Hollywood studios, media executives, and talent agencies. The objective is to establish collaborations within the entertainment sector and promote the integration of its latest AI video generator into filmmakers’ projects, as per sources familiar with the situation.
According to sources who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information, the upcoming meetings represent the latest efforts by OpenAI to engage with industry stakeholders. In late February, the company organized initial discussions in Hollywood led by Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap. During these meetings, Lightcap and a few colleagues showcased the capabilities of Sora, a forthcoming service designed to create lifelike videos based on user-provided text prompts, each lasting approximately one minute. Subsequently, OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman attended events in Los Angeles over the Academy Awards weekend.
In mid-February, the creator of ChatGPT introduced Sora with a collection of high-definition clips that immediately drew interest from both Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Although Sora is not yet accessible to the general public, OpenAI has already provided access to several prominent actors and directors.
“OpenAI follows a deliberate strategy of collaborating with industry by gradually deploying AI advancements in stages to ensure safe implementation and provide insights into upcoming developments,” stated a spokesperson for OpenAI. “We anticipate continuing our dialogue with artists and creatives.”
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a topic that sparks debate within Hollywood. While several filmmakers and studios currently utilize AI during pre-production and post-production, acknowledging the potential of emerging AI tools, the emergence of generative AI services has also prompted worries about disrupting various professions, from illustrators to voice actors.
Last year, screenwriters and actors staged a strike partly to advocate for safeguards regarding the utilization of technology. Subsequently, both unions managed to establish certain protections regarding the application of AI in the entertainment sector. Additionally, media companies are cautious about permitting OpenAI to train its models using their content without proper compensation. According to reports by Bloomberg, outlets such as CNN, Fox Corp., and Time Magazine have engaged in talks regarding licensing their content to OpenAI.
OpenAI is actively seeking Hollywood’s attention as it endeavors to keep pace with competitors. Previously, tech giants like Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google have introduced research projects focused on text-to-video capabilities. Additionally, an increasing number of well-funded AI startups, such as Runway AI Inc., Pika, and Stability AI, are also developing similar technology.
Runway, a prominent player in the industry, has informed Bloomberg that its Gen-2 text-to-video service is currently utilized by millions, including industry professionals at production and animation studios who depend on it for previsualization and storyboarding. Runway also stated that film editors are leveraging its platform to generate videos and integrate them with existing footage to create B-roll or visual effects.
OpenAI stated that Sora is currently in the research preview phase, and no pricing has been determined yet.
