Actor Natasha Lyonne may not come from the tech world, but her production company has emerged as a pioneer in bringing AI content to the big screen, and she reflects on the growing influence of technology.
Best known for his roles on Netflix's “Russian Doll” and “Orange is the New Black,” Lyonne is also a writer, director, and co-founder of Asteria Film Co., an artist-led animation and film studio. The company aims to provide high-quality, copyright-friendly generative AI for key content.
Other AI video generation models, such as OpenAI's Sora 2 and Google's Veo 3, have been embroiled in controversy for scraping the web and, in some cases, violating copyright rules. Asteria, which Lyon co-founded in 2022, takes a different approach.
Asteria partnered with Moonvalley AI, which develops AI tools for filmmakers, to create Marey, named after cinematographer Etienne Jules Marey. This tool helps generate AI videos that can be used in film and television, but only utilizes openly licensed content or materials that you have explicit permission to use.
Lyonne said in his talk that it's important to be careful about the inputs for Asteria's AI video generation. luck Brainstorming AI conference held in San Francisco last week. As the use of AI increases, both technology and Hollywood need to respect the work of not only the cast, but also the behind-the-scenes staff and writers.
“I don't think that free robbery with acceleration and Chinese support is a very kosher concerted act,” she said.
Although it hasn't yet used AI in the production of a TV show or movie, Lyon said Asteria is using it in other small ways to develop renderings and other details.
“It's a pretty revolutionary act that we actually have that model and that we know the fundamentals of everything we're working on,” Lyon said.
Marey is generally available with credit-based subscriptions starting at $14.99 per month.
While her production company aims to lead the field in AI in Hollywood, Lyon said it's important to not forget the human side of technology. She pointed out that there are countless possibilities for the use of AI, so it can at least be used to make human life better, rather than purely for “cost savings.”
“AI needs humans to avoid being driven by tools,” she says.
