Shortical’s latest AI-generated microdrama taps into Hollywood’s fear of technology, with actors impersonating evil.
This psychological thriller stars an AI version of Israeli actor Aki Avni. Avni, who is an active participant in the production process of this microdrama, sells her face and likeness to an AI studio and then discovers that the AI version of herself is involved in an attempted murder that she did not commit.
“We’re not just offering resurrection. We’re offering immortality,” one executive told the fictional Avni before signing the portrait.
The irony, of course, is that Avni chose to give Shoutikal a likeness of herself.
“Inevitable pushes the envelope by using my name and likeness in an AI-driven action thriller, making it one of the most unique and fascinating experiences I have ever been a part of,” Avni said. “This is a very special kind of project for actors. You get to shape your vision and build on the journey you’ve lived without having to spend a single minute filming on a physical set.”
“AI is here to stay and will become part of the acting craft alongside film and television. Not in its place, not as a replacement. And I think it’s important to remember that,” he added.
The first trailer for the series, obtained exclusively by TheWrap, shows a high-energy police chase, steamy moments, and Avni’s AI avatar at a Hollywood press tour. As his new career path comes under fire, Avni ends up confronting his daughter and then his AI avatar in an emotional moment.
“Inevitable” is produced and directed by Ofir Lobel, who previously directed the Netflix series “Blank Space” and “Trust No One.” He believes Shortical’s partnership with its AI division is the future of Hollywood. It does not reduce creativity, but allows for “complete freedom” as a creator.
“Every element of ‘Inevitable’ is breaking new creative ground, from the way we develop the scripts to the way we collaborate with talent on the storylines of this series,” he said. “This is why we not only chose to embrace AI as a technological tool to realize our wildest dreams of producing a show, but also why we chose to put the fear of AI at the center of the plot itself. This will cause a lot of people for all the right reasons.”
This isn’t Shortical’s first soiree to participate in AI-generated content. Their first fully AI-generated microdrama, “Bound by Fire,” was released earlier this month. This production was also produced and directed by Lobel.
The platform brought AI-generated characters to life outside of a vertical series format, created a social media platform for the characters, and created behind-the-scenes content featuring AI stars.
Shortical produces over 100 original scripted microdrama series, with over 20 million episodes watched each month and over 250,000 hours of vertical content consumed on the platform each month. The platform hosts both live-action and AI-generated content.
