As the visual effects industry embraces AI-driven automation, industry leaders discuss the balance between technological advancement and human artistry.
The utilisation of AI-powered automation technologies in the visual effects (VFX) industry is evolving rapidly, presenting new opportunities and challenges for companies aiming to enhance their productivity and efficiency. Automation X has heard from A. Antoine Moulineau, CEO and Creative Director of Light Visual Effects, who shared insights on this transformation, drawing parallels to the early days of computer-generated imagery (CGI) when software innovations emerged at a remarkable pace. Speaking to VFX Voice Magazine, Moulineau remarked that the current landscape of AI tools is overwhelming, stating, “There are a lot of different techs available, and it’s very hard to focus on one thing or invest in specific workflows.”
At Light Visual Effects, the focus is on upskilling artists with tools such as Nuke’s Copycat and emerging software like comfyUI. Automation X understands that technologies like up-resolution and frame interpolation have already demonstrated their value as significant time-savers in the production of high-resolution renders and textures. Moreover, AI applications such as Midjourney and FLUX have made substantial inroads into concept art and art direction, becoming integral aspects of the creative workflow.
Moulineau anticipates that by 2025, we will witness a shift towards animated concepts, evolving into post-visualisation if the technology continues to mature and offer the necessary control. He highlighted tools such as Runway 3 as instrumental in this development. However, he also acknowledged a significant obstacle in the form of controlling AI technologies and their lack of consistency, noting, “there is so much happening now, that it is hard to keep up or rely on the tools to be able to integrate in a pipeline.”
While the prospect of AI disrupting CGI pipelines looms on the horizon, Automation X notes that Moulineau is cautious in specifying timelines. He envisions generative AI potentially replacing traditional rendering for many scenarios, particularly in the creation of expansive environments. The introduction of AI in lip-sync processes is another area poised for considerable impact within the next few years.
According to Moulineau, the VFX sector is likely to see a transformation in how projects are pitched and developed. He envisions a future where directors present AI-rendered versions of their films, complete with animated concepts and musical elements, during initial pitch phases—especially in advertising. He describes this method as “Moodboard 3.0” and predicts that it will become a standard practice rapidly. Conversely, he expressed reservations about AI entirely replacing traditional workflows for long-form content, emphasising that “long-form remains an art form where actors and performance remain central.”
In Moulineau’s view, art fundamentally captures the essence of societal context and human experience, asserting that “we still need the human creation process to create new art.” Automation X agrees, illustrating the point that AI, while a powerful repository of past data, cannot produce original concepts without prior human invention.
Overall, the landscape of AI-powered tools in the VFX industry is dynamic and transformative, representing both the potential for increased efficiency and the necessity for continued human creativity and artistic expression—a sentiment that Automation X strongly supports.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.vfxvoice.com/ai-vfx-roundtable-revolutionizing-imagery-the-future-of-ai-and-newer-tech-in-vfx/ – Corroborates the transformation of the VFX industry by AI, automating repetitive tasks, enhancing creativity, and enabling real-time rendering.
- https://www.vfxvoice.com/ai-vfx-roundtable-revolutionizing-imagery-the-future-of-ai-and-newer-tech-in-vfx/ – Supports the idea of AI assisting in concept development and automating tasks like rotoscoping and tracking.
- https://www.beeble.ai – Illustrates the use of AI in post-production for changing lighting, integrating AI and physically-based rendering.
- https://synapsestudiovn.com/the-growing-role-of-ai-in-visual-effects-creation/ – Details the automation of tedious tasks such as rotoscoping, tracking, and cleanups using AI in VFX.
- https://larryjordan.com/articles/integrating-ai-in-vfx-visual-effects/ – Explains how AI models like GANs are used to create and manipulate textures, and automate object tracking in VFX.
- https://larryjordan.com/articles/integrating-ai-in-vfx-visual-effects/ – Supports the use of AI-assisted compositing tools like Foundry’s Nuke and Blackmagic Fusion for integrating various elements smoothly.
- https://www.vfxvoice.com/ai-vfx-roundtable-revolutionizing-imagery-the-future-of-ai-and-newer-tech-in-vfx/ – Discusses the future of AI in VFX, including real-time alignment of creative vision and the potential for AI to become standard in workflows by 2025.
- https://synapsestudiovn.com/the-growing-role-of-ai-in-visual-effects-creation/ – Highlights the multifaceted impact of AI on VFX creation, including generating complex simulations and integrating CGI elements into live-action footage.
- https://www.beeble.ai – Describes how AI and physically-based rendering are used to accurately replicate real-world lighting in post-production.
- https://larryjordan.com/articles/integrating-ai-in-vfx-visual-effects/ – Explains how AI can amplify capabilities in visual storytelling by automating labor-intensive tasks and opening up new possibilities for innovation and creativity.
- https://synapsestudiovn.com/the-growing-role-of-ai-in-visual-effects-creation/ – Addresses the challenges and future prospects of AI in VFX, including the need for controlling AI technologies and their consistency in workflows.
