Picture this: In a future not too far away, HBO is mulling whether to greenlight a new Game of Thrones spinoff but is on the fence about the project. So instead of dumping tens of millions of dollars to shoot a pilot it might wind up passing on, it uses a generative artificial intelligence system trained on its library of shows to create a rough cut in the style of the original. It ultimately decides not to move forward with the title. That process sans AI cost HBO troves of cash and time when it was mulling a potential successor to Thrones in 2018. A cast headed by Naomi Watts was assembled and massive new sets were built. All in all, HBO spent roughly $35 million to shoot a pilot that never saw the light of day. The cost of doing it with AI? A fraction of that figure.
The role of...
The role of...
- 2/22/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Last year, Hollywood took stock of the potential — and dangers — of generative artificial intelligence. As use of the human-mimicking chatbots evolved into a sticking point in the strikes, creators took to the courts, accusing AI firms of mass-scale copyright infringement after their works were allegedly used as training materials. In the backdrop of these legal volleys, a question stands out: Why haven’t any major studios sued to protect their intellectual property like other rights holders?
One answer involves the possibility that they’re still negotiating with AI companies, with the aim of striking a licensing deal. A grimmer scenario involves the potential that they want to harness the tools for themselves to cut labor costs. Another involves the possibility that they’re biding their time to compile evidence and keep an eye on how the other cases are progressing.
Studios could now have some of the proof they need to get off the sidelines,...
One answer involves the possibility that they’re still negotiating with AI companies, with the aim of striking a licensing deal. A grimmer scenario involves the potential that they want to harness the tools for themselves to cut labor costs. Another involves the possibility that they’re biding their time to compile evidence and keep an eye on how the other cases are progressing.
Studios could now have some of the proof they need to get off the sidelines,...
- 1/11/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New York, June 5 (Ians) There is a 50 per chance that artificial intelligence (AI) will wipe out humanity, according to Max Tegmark, a physicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Tegmark said that humans, known as Earth’s smartest species, are responsible for the extinction of ‘lesser’ species such as the dodo. Likewise, when AI will become smarter than humans, we could meet a similar fate, he said, DailyMail reported.
“About half of all other species on earth have already been exterminated by us humans,” the AI expert was quoted as saying.
“Because we were smarter, they had no control.
“What we are warning about now is that if we humans lose control over our society to machines that are much smarter than us, then things can go just as bad for us,” he noted.
Tegmark is among a growing number of industry experts who are warning of the dangers of AI.
Tegmark said that humans, known as Earth’s smartest species, are responsible for the extinction of ‘lesser’ species such as the dodo. Likewise, when AI will become smarter than humans, we could meet a similar fate, he said, DailyMail reported.
“About half of all other species on earth have already been exterminated by us humans,” the AI expert was quoted as saying.
“Because we were smarter, they had no control.
“What we are warning about now is that if we humans lose control over our society to machines that are much smarter than us, then things can go just as bad for us,” he noted.
Tegmark is among a growing number of industry experts who are warning of the dangers of AI.
- 6/5/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Until recently, the Artificial Intelligence revolution seemed like a distant reality — a topic for stoned "Joe Rogan Experience" guests to discuss between the coming singularity and the fact they finally found the horn. But in just the last year, AI has seemingly become ubiquitous and the nightmare scenario of a world running off the collective hum of intelligent machines has edged alarmingly closer.
To be clear, we obviously haven't hit Skynet levels yet, but so-called "narrow" AI (AI capable of handling a specific task such as playing chess) — that's proliferating as I write, which presents enough of its own problems. Last year I found myself scrolling Instagram and liking several posts that appeared to be original paintings, only to discover after reading some captions that these were, in fact, all created by machines. And that's just the start.
In the last few weeks there's been just as significant a controversy...
To be clear, we obviously haven't hit Skynet levels yet, but so-called "narrow" AI (AI capable of handling a specific task such as playing chess) — that's proliferating as I write, which presents enough of its own problems. Last year I found myself scrolling Instagram and liking several posts that appeared to be original paintings, only to discover after reading some captions that these were, in fact, all created by machines. And that's just the start.
In the last few weeks there's been just as significant a controversy...
- 5/2/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Drama wins feature, screenplay and audience prizes. Manchester by the Sea’s Casey Affleck is best actor and Elle’s Isabelle Huppert best actress.
Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight (pictured) won a record four awards at the Independent Filmmaker Project Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York on Monday.
The acclaimed drama, which last week got six Film Independent Spirit Award nominations, won the Gotham Award for best feature and its script, with a story by Tarell Alvin McCraney and a screenplay by Jenkins, won in the screenplay category.
The film also won the Gotham Audience Award and cast members Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Alex Hibbert, André Holland, Jharrel Jerome, Janelle Monáe, Jaden Piner, Trevante Rhodes and Ashton Sanders were presented with the previously announced Special Jury for Ensemble Performance.
In other Gotham Award categories, Casey Affleck was named best actor for his performance in Manchester by the Sea, another leading awards contender, and [link=nm...
Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight (pictured) won a record four awards at the Independent Filmmaker Project Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York on Monday.
The acclaimed drama, which last week got six Film Independent Spirit Award nominations, won the Gotham Award for best feature and its script, with a story by Tarell Alvin McCraney and a screenplay by Jenkins, won in the screenplay category.
The film also won the Gotham Audience Award and cast members Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Alex Hibbert, André Holland, Jharrel Jerome, Janelle Monáe, Jaden Piner, Trevante Rhodes and Ashton Sanders were presented with the previously announced Special Jury for Ensemble Performance.
In other Gotham Award categories, Casey Affleck was named best actor for his performance in Manchester by the Sea, another leading awards contender, and [link=nm...
- 11/29/2016
- ScreenDaily
Kicking off the onslaught of awards this year, as always, is the Gotham Independent Film Awards, which celebrates its 26th anniversary. Usually a strong slate highlighting some of the year’s best films, 2016 is no different as Manchester by the Sea leads the pack with four nominations. Close behind is Moonlight (which will also pick up a special ensemble award) and Paterson with three each overall.
Rounding out the Best Feature line-up, along with the three aforementioned films, is Certain Women and Everybody Wants Some!!. As for the Best Documentary line-up, Cameraperson, I Am Not Your Negro, O.J.: Made in America, Tower, and Weiner all made the cut. With Krisha, The Witch, The Fits, Elle, Morris From America, Jackie, and more also getting nods, the list makes for the ideal what-to-watch-before-the-year-is-over rundown.
Check out the full list of nominations below.
Best Feature
Certain Women
Kelly Reichardt, director; Neil Kopp, Vincent Savino,...
Rounding out the Best Feature line-up, along with the three aforementioned films, is Certain Women and Everybody Wants Some!!. As for the Best Documentary line-up, Cameraperson, I Am Not Your Negro, O.J.: Made in America, Tower, and Weiner all made the cut. With Krisha, The Witch, The Fits, Elle, Morris From America, Jackie, and more also getting nods, the list makes for the ideal what-to-watch-before-the-year-is-over rundown.
Check out the full list of nominations below.
Best Feature
Certain Women
Kelly Reichardt, director; Neil Kopp, Vincent Savino,...
- 10/20/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Sundance 2016 is fast approaching. Last week we posted the movie lineup of Midnight and Competition film selections. We now have the complete lineup for the premieres in both the feature film and documentary categories. We also have their selections for the Spotlight and Kid films. I've also included a list of special events.
There are a lot of great films on this list that I'm excited about seeing because of the incredible talent involved. Viggo Mortensen and Frank Langella star in Captain Fantastic; Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams star in Certain Women; Rachel Weisz, Michael Shannon, Kathy Bates and Danny Glover star in Complete Unknown; Paul Rudd and Selena Gomez star in The Fundamentals of Caring; John Krasinski directed a film called The Hollars which he stars in with Anna Kendrick, Margo Martindale, Richard Jenkins, Sharlto Copley, and Charlie Day; Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi has made a new...
There are a lot of great films on this list that I'm excited about seeing because of the incredible talent involved. Viggo Mortensen and Frank Langella star in Captain Fantastic; Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams star in Certain Women; Rachel Weisz, Michael Shannon, Kathy Bates and Danny Glover star in Complete Unknown; Paul Rudd and Selena Gomez star in The Fundamentals of Caring; John Krasinski directed a film called The Hollars which he stars in with Anna Kendrick, Margo Martindale, Richard Jenkins, Sharlto Copley, and Charlie Day; Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi has made a new...
- 12/13/2015
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Ayogo wants to design video games to make you a better a person.
If anything qualifies as Twitter bait, it would be my latest feature on neuroeconomist Dr. Paul Zak in the July issue of Fast Company. By ginning up a special experiment for me, Zak learned that social networking (like what you do on Twitter) triggers the release of a generosity-trust chemical in our brains called oxytocin (A.K.A. "the cuddle hormone"). After the story's publication, I wondered if any companies were purposely designing products to modify users behavior and heard about Ayogo, a Vancouver-based games maker. As Ayogo's founder, Michael Fergusson, put it, the company "develops casual social games that are deployed on the web (in various locations) and on smartphones. We build games that are purely for entertainment, working with some of the biggest and most successful gaming companies in the world, and build what you...
If anything qualifies as Twitter bait, it would be my latest feature on neuroeconomist Dr. Paul Zak in the July issue of Fast Company. By ginning up a special experiment for me, Zak learned that social networking (like what you do on Twitter) triggers the release of a generosity-trust chemical in our brains called oxytocin (A.K.A. "the cuddle hormone"). After the story's publication, I wondered if any companies were purposely designing products to modify users behavior and heard about Ayogo, a Vancouver-based games maker. As Ayogo's founder, Michael Fergusson, put it, the company "develops casual social games that are deployed on the web (in various locations) and on smartphones. We build games that are purely for entertainment, working with some of the biggest and most successful gaming companies in the world, and build what you...
- 7/14/2010
- by Adam Penenberg
- Fast Company
This review was written for the festival screening of "The Grand".Tribeca Film Festival
NEW YORK -- For his second directorial effort, screenwriter Zak Penn ("X-Men: The Last Stand") uses an improvisational approach similar to his feature debut, "Incident at Loch Ness", with much more successful results. This ensemble comedy about a group of eccentric players competing in a multimillion-dollar poker match will inevitably be compared to the works of Christopher Guest, but what "The Grand" lacks in originality it more than makes up for with its high percentage of funny moments.
Penn, who co-wrote the script with Matt Bierman, has assembled a top-notch cast of comedic performers who seem to be having one hell of a time. Their enjoyment is infectious, and while some of the gags invariably go on for too long, for the most part the film is crisply paced and consistently uproarious.
The central character is "One Eyed" Jack Faro (Woody Harrelson), who's lost the casino his grandfather left him because of his various addictions, not the least of which is to marriage. In order to gain it back from an addled real estate developer (Michael McKean), he enters a poker competition called "The Grand", the prize being $10 million.
To win, he must compete against a gallery of bizarre players, including Larry Schwartzman (David Cross), whose distraction techniques include wearing a burka; his sister, Lainie (Cheryl Hines), a profane Long Island housewife; LBJ "Deuce" Fairbanks (Dennis Farina), who longs for the good old days of breaking legs; Andy Andrews (Richard Kind), who garnered his spot at the table after winning an online game; Harold Melvin (Chris Parnell), a semi-autistic who lives with his elderly mother; "The German" (Werner Herzog), who needs to kill at least one animal a day; and others.
Also on hand are such characters as Lainie's husband (Ray Romano), a "lightning survivor"; her father (sitcom star Gabe Kaplan, now a real-life player); and other competitors played in cameos by such figures as Hank Azaria, Jason Alexander and director Brett Ratner, among many others.
Penn and Bierman have clearly allowed their performers to let loose, with mostly hilarious results. Their attempt to provide some emotional depth to the proceedings, with a subplot involving the dysfunctional Schwartzman family dynamics, is less successful, though it does little harm.
THE GRAND
Eleven Eleven Films, Insomnia Media Group
Credits:
Director: Zak Penn
Screenwriters: Zak Penn, Matt Bierman
Producers: Bret Saxon, Jeff Bowler, Zak Penn, Gary Marcus, Bobby Schwartz, Ross M. Dinerstein
Executive producers: Ari Palitz, Matt Bierman
Co-producer: Lance Stockton
Director of photography: Anthony Hardwick
Production designer: Shepherd Frankel
Music: Stephen Endelman
Costume designer: Valerie Laven-Cooper
Editor: Abby Schwarzwalder
Cast:
"One-Eyed" Jack Faro: Woody Harrelson
Larry Schwartzman: David Cross
LBJ "Deuce" Fairbanks: Dennis Farina
Lainie Schwartzman: Cheryl Hines
Andy Andrews: Richard Kind
Harold Melvin: Chris Parnell
The German: Werner Herzog
Dr. Yakov Achmed: Jason Alexander
Fred Marsh: Ray Romano
Reggie Marshall: Mike Epps
Running time -- 95 minutes
No MPAA rating...
NEW YORK -- For his second directorial effort, screenwriter Zak Penn ("X-Men: The Last Stand") uses an improvisational approach similar to his feature debut, "Incident at Loch Ness", with much more successful results. This ensemble comedy about a group of eccentric players competing in a multimillion-dollar poker match will inevitably be compared to the works of Christopher Guest, but what "The Grand" lacks in originality it more than makes up for with its high percentage of funny moments.
Penn, who co-wrote the script with Matt Bierman, has assembled a top-notch cast of comedic performers who seem to be having one hell of a time. Their enjoyment is infectious, and while some of the gags invariably go on for too long, for the most part the film is crisply paced and consistently uproarious.
The central character is "One Eyed" Jack Faro (Woody Harrelson), who's lost the casino his grandfather left him because of his various addictions, not the least of which is to marriage. In order to gain it back from an addled real estate developer (Michael McKean), he enters a poker competition called "The Grand", the prize being $10 million.
To win, he must compete against a gallery of bizarre players, including Larry Schwartzman (David Cross), whose distraction techniques include wearing a burka; his sister, Lainie (Cheryl Hines), a profane Long Island housewife; LBJ "Deuce" Fairbanks (Dennis Farina), who longs for the good old days of breaking legs; Andy Andrews (Richard Kind), who garnered his spot at the table after winning an online game; Harold Melvin (Chris Parnell), a semi-autistic who lives with his elderly mother; "The German" (Werner Herzog), who needs to kill at least one animal a day; and others.
Also on hand are such characters as Lainie's husband (Ray Romano), a "lightning survivor"; her father (sitcom star Gabe Kaplan, now a real-life player); and other competitors played in cameos by such figures as Hank Azaria, Jason Alexander and director Brett Ratner, among many others.
Penn and Bierman have clearly allowed their performers to let loose, with mostly hilarious results. Their attempt to provide some emotional depth to the proceedings, with a subplot involving the dysfunctional Schwartzman family dynamics, is less successful, though it does little harm.
THE GRAND
Eleven Eleven Films, Insomnia Media Group
Credits:
Director: Zak Penn
Screenwriters: Zak Penn, Matt Bierman
Producers: Bret Saxon, Jeff Bowler, Zak Penn, Gary Marcus, Bobby Schwartz, Ross M. Dinerstein
Executive producers: Ari Palitz, Matt Bierman
Co-producer: Lance Stockton
Director of photography: Anthony Hardwick
Production designer: Shepherd Frankel
Music: Stephen Endelman
Costume designer: Valerie Laven-Cooper
Editor: Abby Schwarzwalder
Cast:
"One-Eyed" Jack Faro: Woody Harrelson
Larry Schwartzman: David Cross
LBJ "Deuce" Fairbanks: Dennis Farina
Lainie Schwartzman: Cheryl Hines
Andy Andrews: Richard Kind
Harold Melvin: Chris Parnell
The German: Werner Herzog
Dr. Yakov Achmed: Jason Alexander
Fred Marsh: Ray Romano
Reggie Marshall: Mike Epps
Running time -- 95 minutes
No MPAA rating...
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