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OpenAI, videos

The rise of AI has been equal parts impressive and terrifying, but the latest advancement seems to have its sights set on Hollywood. OpenAI announced the development of Sora today, a new generative AI tool that can create a realistic and imaginative video from text instructions.

Unlike previous AI video generators, Sora is reportedly capable of generating content close to a minute long, all while maintaining visual quality and adherence to the user’s prompt. While the videos revealed by OpenAI are certainly impressive, they’re a direct threat to existing creatives in Hollywood. According to a study done at the beginning of the year, a whopping three-quarters of those surveyed indicated that AI tools “supported the elimination, reduction or consolidation of jobs at their companies.” The report also estimated that nearly 204,000 positions will be adversely affected over the next three years.

Those in danger include concept artists, voice actors, and those involved in visual effects and postproduction. “This is a clear alarm to the unions and professionals who are in crew in any capacity,” concept artist Karla Ortiz told THR. “This shows that the tech is here to compete with us. This is only the first step.” Other concept artists have said that they’ve already seen less demand for their work, with some even choosing to leave the industry altogether.

While the videos Sora is able to generate are impressive, OpenAI admits that it still struggles with certain elements. “The current model has weaknesses,” reads the announcement. “It may struggle with accurately simulating the physics of a complex scene, and may not understand specific instances of cause and effect. For example, a person might take a bite out of a cookie, but afterward, the cookie may not have a bite mark. The model may also confuse spatial details of a prompt, for example, mixing up left and right, and may struggle with precise descriptions of events that take place over time, like following a specific camera trajectory.

Sora hasn’t been released to the public yet, as it’s currently undergoing safety testing. “We’ll be taking several important safety steps ahead of making Sora available in OpenAI’s products,” OpenAI said. “We are working with red teamers — domain experts in areas like misinformation, hateful content, and bias — who will be adversarially testing the model.” However, the company hasn’t disclosed what materials are being used to train the system. They’ve run into trouble before, with authors such as George R.R. Martin, John Grisham, and Jonathan Franzen launching a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the company of using their novels to train their AI.

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Ridley Scott, Bee Gees movie

Deadline reports that Ridley Scott is in negotiations to direct a movie about the Bee Gees, the iconic musical group formed by brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb.

Ridley Scott recently wrapped production on the Gladiator sequel, and in true Ridley Scott fashion, he’s already looking for another project. I wish I had half his energy. Should Scott close the deal to helm the Bee Gees movie for Paramount Pictures, he would also produce through his Scott Free banner along with Michael Pruss. John Logan (Alien: Covenant) has penned the script for the project.

At first glance, a movie about the Bee Gees may not seem like something that screams Ridley Scott, but the project would actually be a full-circle moment for the director. Back when he was getting started, Scott had a connection with Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood who had tapped him to direct a medieval movie that would have starred the three brothers. However, the project fell apart, and Scott went on to direct The Duellists instead.

More to come…

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Dune: Part Two, first reactions

Dune: Part Two made its world premiere in London today, and the first reactions to the highly anticipated sequel on social media are extremely positive, but I doubt that comes as a surprise to anyone.

These types of first reactions are generally fairly positive, but in the case of Dune: Part Two, I might just believe it. Dennis Villeneuve is easily one of my favourite filmmakers working today, and I can’t wait to check this one out for myself in just a few short weeks.

As for Villeneuve, the director has said that he feels the sequel is a “much better” movie than the first installment. “There’s something more alive in it,” Villeneuve said. “There’s a relationship to the characters. I was trying to reach for an intensity and a quality of emotions that I didn’t reach with Part One and that I did reach with Part Two. I’m not saying the film is perfect, but I’m much more happy with Part Two than I was with Part One. I can not wait to share it with the fans and the moviegoers.

It all depends on how well Dune: Part Two performs, but Villeneuve might just return for a third and final film. He confirmed in December that the script for Dune 3 was almost complete, but that he might tackle another project before returning to Arrakis. “I don’t know exactly when I will go back to Arrakis,” Villeneuve said. “I might make a detour before just to go away from the sun. For my mental sanity I might do something in between, but my dream would be to go a last time on this planet that I love.

Dune: Part Two will “explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.” The film will hit theaters on March 1st.

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Bob Odenkirk, action movie, Normal

After getting in on the action game with Nobody, Bob Odenkirk is ready to “get his ass handed to him” once again.

It was announced last week that Bob Odenkirk would be reuniting with Nobdody screenwriter Derek Kolstad for Normal, a new action movie set to be directed by Ben Wheatley (Free Fire). While speaking with THR, Odenkirk explained why he wanted to tackle another action movie.

Well, it went pretty well [last time], didn’t it? Derek is the most collaborative screenwriter I’ve ever worked with,” Odenkirk said. “His willingness to hear a note from anybody at any point in the process is amazing. He listens to everybody and when he says ‘best idea wins,’ he really means it. I’m going to guess it has to do with his personality, but also from getting beat up for years [in this industry]. Making Nobody was just a great experience, everyone really gave their all on that one, and it turned out so well. I think part of that is we complement each other so well. I think Derek appreciates my observations about a script or a story and I certainly see and respect and love his unbelievable gifts as a writer.

Odenkirk added that he was equally impressed with the concept behind Normal. “It just had this quality to it I don’t think I’ve seen in an action movie in forever. I’m going to call it suspense mystery,” he said. “You could argue that the Bourne films, especially the early ones, have that element, where he’s trying to explore and solve a mystery, the mystery of his own past. There’s that sort of dimension in this story, something that Derek expanded on, which I think was the reason Ben Wheatley came on board.”

The film finds Odenkirk playing Ulysses, a lawman “who is thrust into the temporary role of the sheriff for the small sleepy town Normal after the previous one’s untimely death. When the town’s bank is robbed by an out-of-town couple, Ulysses arrives on the scene to find that the town is hiding much more sinister deep-seated secrets under its surface and everyone – from the bartender to the priest – is in on it. And now Ulysses, who’s up-till-now focused only on running away from the demons of his past, must uncover the full extent of this criminal conspiracy.

While many action movies feature actors in their physical prime, Odenkirk believes that there’s an advantage to someone like him leading an action flick. “A lot of action movies, where the guys are too handsome and built, it’s hard for the audience to buy into the idea that they’re in danger. I don’t have that problem,” Odenkirk said. “Audiences genuinely see me and go, ‘Oh, jeez, this guy is screwed. He’s going to get his ass handed to him.’ He doesn’t get to win by sheer muscle because he doesn’t have that. He gets to win through tenacity and cleverness.

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