We’re starting to get used to seeing AI in clinical, classroom and customer service settings. But what about in Hollywood?
In documentary and narrative filmmaker Quinn Halleck’s latest short film, Sigma_001, an engineer at a major tech company and a journalist find themselves with just minutes to speak with what the engineer believes to be the first sentient AI.
The film’s concept is attention-getting on its own, but Halleck didn’t stop there. His latest work not only portrays AI in film, it was made by AI. Halleck intentionally integrated AI into every aspect of the filmmaking workflow, meaning Sigma_001 could well be called the first fully AI film.
Admittedly, AI in film raises more questions than answers. So attendees of this Saturday’s screening in Sebastopol get a bonus: an onstage discussion afterward between Halleck and John Cooper, the former director of the Sundance Film Festival.
The film’s release comes at a time when AI usage in film is hotly debated — just last summer, Hollywood actors went on strike for four months while SAG-AFTRA negotiated for more control over the use of AI.
While it remains unclear what exact long-term impact AI will have on Hollywood, this event offers a glimpse into the future.
The Sebastopol Film Society Presents ‘Does Film Survive AI?’ on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts in Sebastopol. Details here.
