Guillermo del Toro: 'I'd rather die' than use generative AI
npr.orgHollywood has gone through this before with streaming and it lost. When Netflix first started, Hollywood studios were willing to license their content. But as soon as they realized Netflix was threatening their future, they tried to resist by withholding their licenses. Netflix won by investing heavily in original productions and creating its own content.
Now it’s happening again with AI. A similar pattern is emerging. AI companies will start producing their own content and bypass Hollywood altogether. From what I hear, there are always screenplays available for purchase, so AI companies can simply buy what they need. These firms will learn new ways to create movies and ultimately come out ahead. Hollywood has no choice they better embrace AI now or wait until they are falling behind when they will have do it anyways.
It sucks but I think embracing AI is what all industries have to do. There is no choice.
Netflix's original productions are kinda crap though. I miss the days when you could just search for almost anything and it'd be on Netflix.
True, but people continue to signup and watch their shows. I think the AI stuff will probably be even worse but the content will be so inexpensive that it will make a profit even with less viewers. Profit is what matters so it will be considered a win.
The next YouTube competitor will be a service of purely AI content where creators will be compensated for their views no matter the size of their videos. People will figure out how to make their videos pay.
Watch the movie Big Night, to the end. Primo's short monologue on the beach after fighting with his brother Segundo.
Of course Guillermo del Toro would rather die.
I can’t respect anyone who won’t try something at least once. Granted if he tried it, he’d realize his instincts were correct, but still.
If someone understands their craft enough to know what works and doesn’t, then it’s their prerogative not to use an AI tool. Art is different, there’s no right way to do things.
Experience is not always the best teacher.
Reading, observation, etc. can be better for avoiding bad outcomes without needing to experience them firsthand.