Several copyright owners have filed lawsuits against tech companies, including Meta, claiming improper use of protected works to train AI models. Meta contends that its AI training practices fall under fair use laws.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced an exciting collaboration with Blumhouse Productions, the studio behind popular films like ‘The Purge’ and ‘Get Out’. This partnership aims to explore the capabilities of Meta’s latest generative AI video model, called Movie Gen, which creates realistic video and audio clips based on user prompts.
Earlier this month, Meta introduced Movie Gen, positioning it as a competitor to offerings from AI leaders like OpenAI and ElevenLabs. The collaboration with Blumhouse indicates Meta’s commitment to working with the entertainment industry, despite ongoing tensions regarding the use of generative AI technologies.
Blumhouse has brought in several prominent filmmakers to investigate the potential of Movie Gen. Aneesh Chaganty, known for his work on ‘Searching’, will release a film demonstrating Meta’s AI technology on the Movie Gen website. Additionally, upcoming projects from actor and filmmaker Casey Affleck and The Spurlock Sisters are also in development.
Jason Blum, CEO of Blumhouse, highlighted the importance of involving filmmakers early in the development of tools like Movie Gen. He stated that technology should enhance, rather than replace, artistic storytelling. Blum welcomed the opportunity for directors to experiment with the AI, providing feedback on its strengths and limitations.
This partnership comes amid growing resistance in the creative industry towards generative AI, which raises concerns over copyright and consent. As previously mentioned, several copyright owners have filed lawsuits against tech companies, including Meta, for allegedly misusing protected works to train AI models. However, Meta asserts that its AI training practices are covered under fair use laws.
In spite of these legal challenges, Meta and other tech giants are actively collaborating with the creative sector. Last month, Meta secured deals with actors like Judi Dench, Kristen Bell, and John Cena, allowing their voices to be used for its Meta AI chatbot. This suggests a willingness to compensate for certain types of content to navigate legal and ethical complexities.
Meta is not alone in exploring the intersection of AI and entertainment. Microsoft-backed OpenAI has been in talks with Hollywood executives about possible partnerships involving its video generation tool, Sora. Although no agreements have been finalized, Lionsgate recently established a deal with Runway, another AI startup, reflecting the industry’s growing openness to AI-generated content.
Meta’s partnership with Blumhouse illustrates how AI-generated video could become a significant asset for filmmakers, even as the entertainment sector confronts the implications of such technology. As Movie Gen continues to develop, this collaboration may serve as a model for balancing creativity, technology, and copyright issues.
