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We're pumped about OpenAI's Sora model, but so far we've only seen a few demos. That's about to change, as a new batch of short films drops at the Tribeca Film Festival this week.

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Here are all the details from Nyasha on Sora AI video at Tribeca...

The Tribeca Festival is about to make history by showcasing AI-generated short films for the first time, created using OpenAI's Sora model. These films, premiering on June 15, will highlight the potential of AI in filmmaking. This will have a huge impact on the integration of AI technology in creative industries. This initiative is a collaboration between Tribeca Festival and OpenAI, offering a glimpse into the future of storytelling through artificial intelligence. The program has generated excitement and curiosity, with many eager to see how AI can push the boundaries of traditional filmmaking.

OpenAI's Sora model is an AI tool that converts textual descriptions into video clips, significantly reducing the time required to create visual content compared to traditional methods. It allows filmmakers to input text and receive video outputs, streamlining the creative process and opening new possibilities for storytelling. Sora's capabilities extend beyond what other text-to-video models have achieved. It can generate videos up to 60 seconds in length, featuring distinct camera movements, background characters, and interactive subjects. Selected filmmakers were given early access to Sora and tasked with producing short films that adhere to the guidelines set by the Directors Guild of America (DGA), Writers Guild of America (WGA), and Screen Actors Guild (SAG). This technology has generated both excitement and controversy, and is still not available to the public.

A bonus of this project is their commitment to diversity. The filmmakers involved in this project come from varied backgrounds and bring unique perspectives to their AI-assisted creations. Discepolo, known for her genre films and acting roles in "Fire Country" and "Shazam: Fury of the Gods," focuses on stories about women’s bodily autonomy and environmental issues. Foumbi, an award-winning Cameroonian-American filmmaker, has earned accolades for her debut feature "Our Father, the Devil." Jusu, a professor and director of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning horror film "Nanny," continues to push the boundaries of genre storytelling. Safai, an Iranian-American filmmaker, has produced and starred in notable films like "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night." And finally, Ternasky-Holland, an Emmy Award-winning director, uses immersive technology to create socially impactful stories.

Sora is already doing a few things that are beneficial for the film industry as well as things that are near and dear to my heart. Their point of elevating more diverse voices in Hollywood is the biggest to me. This has been an issue for years for actors as well as other workers. Additionally, Sora is allowing media to be made quicker. Waiting for shows or sequels to movies can take years, but Sora could make a whole franchise in a fraction of that time. This all sounds great, but there are several disadvantages to using this technology. One major drawback is Sora’s lack of audio for dialogue. The technology is not at a point where dialogue can be created, and maybe in some respects, that is a good thing. This restricts the ability to create fully immersive and expressive narratives. Also, Sora enforces strict content restrictions, disallowing any depictions of sex or violence. This limitation is so restrictive, filmmakers have been having issues trying to convince Sora that what it was seeing was ketchup, not blood. There are also, as always, the ethical concerns of using AI to make film, over human beings. There has been worry about the potential for AI to replace human jobs in the film industry, from actors to screenwriters, leading to a loss of creative roles.

The Tribeca Festival's showcase of AI-generated films with OpenAI's Sora may change filmmaking and recognition permanently. This collaboration highlights the potential of AI to transform storytelling, offering faster production times and pioneering visual content. Despite its current limitations, like the lack of dialogue and content restrictions, Sora's ability to streamline the creative process is promising. The involvement of diverse filmmakers also emphasizes the push for broader representation in the industry. As AI continues to advance, its integration into film could open new doors for creativity and storytelling.

Until next time,

– Rob, Nyasha and the IWAI Team

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