Netflix is partnering with Ben Affleck to leverage the goodwill it has gained from his views on AI to bring even more AI tools into filmmaking.
The streaming giant announced today that it has acquired Affleck’s film production technology company, Interpositive. Interpositive is a company Affleck secretly founded in 2022 to develop AI-powered tools for filmmakers.
Netflix did not disclose the terms of the acquisition. However, Variety reported that InterPositive’s 16-person team will join Netflix, with Affleck serving as a senior advisor. The company reportedly plans to make InterPositive’s tools available to creative partners, rather than selling commercial access to them.
In a press release, Affleck explained his motivations for founding Interpositive. He writes that after observing the early rise of AI in film production over time, many models fell short. So he decided to take matters into his own hands.
“Together with a small team of engineers, researchers, and creators, we began filming our own dataset in a controlled soundstage, just as we would a complete production,” Affleck said. “We wanted to build a workflow that captured what was happening on set, using a vocabulary that matched the language the cinematographers and directors were already speaking, and with the consistency and control they expected. ”
Affleck said the model was specifically trained to understand “visual logic and editorial consistency.”
In a video accompanying the announcement, Affleck emphasized that the tool “doesn’t prompt you with text or generate something out of thin air.”
Instead, filmmakers can use film footage to build their own models and use them in post-production to make changes such as removing stunt wires, creating missing shots, and adjusting backgrounds, colors, and lighting.
The news came as a bit of a surprise after Affleck’s past comments in which he expressed more skepticism about AI went viral. In particular, he questioned AI’s ability to write, stating that “by its very nature, AI tends toward the average.”
Affleck spoke about AI-generated actors on the Joe Rogan Podcast in January, saying of AI: “I think it’s very unlikely that we’ll ever write something meaningful, and I especially don’t think we’ll end up making a full-on movie like Tilly Norwood. That’s bullshit.” “Really, what is it? It becomes a tool similar to visual effects.”
So it’s no surprise that Netflix would hire Affleck to help get filmmakers on board with the AI bandwagon.
The company announced last year that it plans to expand its use of AI. In a letter to shareholders in October, Netflix wrote that it aims to focus on “providing a wide range of GenAI tools to help creators achieve their visions.”
The company also showed off some early examples of the technology in the wild. Netflix touted its use of anti-aging AI. happy gilmore 2said the producers. billionaire banker We created concept art using AI tools.
Even before that, Netflix announced an Argentinian sci-fi series in July. El Eternauta The company has featured what it calls “the first final GenAI footage to hit screens” in a Netflix show or movie.
With this new partnership, it’s safe to assume we’ll see even more AI in Netflix’s productions. Hopefully Affleck will help keep it from becoming overly offensive.
