VFX Automation
Current: AI handles rotoscoping, resolution upscaling, and crowd fill-ins (film 100 extras, AI replicates to 1000).
AI in Hollywood: Helper or Threat?
The term "AI" in Hollywood covers a gamut of uses, from machine-learning algorithms that de-age actors to generative AI that could potentially write screenplay drafts.
Current Uses (Already Embedded)
- Visual Effects: AI-driven rotoscoping, upscaling, crowd replication
- Audio Post: AI cleaning dialogue tracks, enhancing audio
- Editing: AI cataloging footage, making rough assemblies
- Marketing: A/B testing thumbnails, personalized recommendations
These are productivity boosters that don't replace jobs wholesale but change skillsets — an assistant editor might need to know AI tagging systems now.
The Hollywood AI Stance
"Proceed, but with extreme caution and respect for creators' rights."
No major film or series in late 2024 is known for being "AI-made." It's mostly under the hood.
AI Applications: Current vs. Emerging
Voice Cloning
Emerging: AI can generate new dialogue in an actor's voice. James Earl Jones licensed his Darth Vader voice for future AI use.
Script Generation
Emerging but limited: AI-generated scripts tend to be derivative. No studio has openly shot an AI-written script from scratch.
Digital Doubles
Emerging: CGI replicas of actors for stunts or dangerous situations. Deepfake tech can make a double resemble a star.
Analytics & Prediction
Current: Algorithms predicting box office, testing trailer performance, personalizing streaming recommendations.
Pre-Visualization
Emerging: Tools generating rough storyboards or pre-vis from scripts, speeding up pre-production.
The Contract Guardrails
The 2023 union contracts established the first formal restrictions on AI use in Hollywood production.
WGA Provisions
- AI cannot write or rewrite literary material
- AI-generated text isn't considered "source material"
- Studios cannot require writers to use AI
- Studios must disclose if material was AI-generated
SAG-AFTRA Provisions
- "Clear and conspicuous" consent required for digital replicas
- If digital double replaces actor, actor must be paid
- Background actors whose scans are reused get upgraded pay
- Material digital alterations of performance require consent
The Concern
The creative community worries AI could be used to cut out human labor — generating cheap scripts or using digital extras instead of paying people.
The contracts disincentivize this by requiring pay and consent, but vigilance continues through labor-management committees.
Virtual Production: The New Standard
Virtual production refers to techniques using real-time rendering of digital environments on set — most notably LED volumes.
These are huge high-resolution LED walls and ceilings that display 3D backgrounds (powered by game engines like Unreal) that move perspective with the camera, looking seamless on screen.
The Mandalorian (2019) was the breakthrough. Since then, dozens of productions have adopted this for at least some sequences.
Advantages
- Reduces need for location shooting (keeps work local)
- Directors see final look immediately (no waiting for compositing)
- "Golden hour" lighting available all day on demand
- Actors see real environments, improving performances
- Pandemic-friendly — controlled environments
Adoption Rate
By 2024, virtually every tentpole film is using some virtual production, at least for complex sequences. Mid-budget shows use smaller LED backdrops for driving scenes or exotic backdrops.
Impact on LA
Virtual production could ironically help LA keep projects. A show set in New York could film in an LA volume with NYC skyline backgrounds rather than traveling.
LA has lots of VFX and virtual production talent — schools like USC now train for these roles. New job categories are emerging: virtual art department artists, game engine technicians, LED engineers.
"LED Volume screens have become mainstream for big-budget filmmaking... one of the biggest plot twists of 2024."
— MovieMaker MagazineThe Skill Shift
Emerging Roles
- Virtual Art Department artists (building 3D backgrounds)
- Game engine technicians (running real-time Unreal environments)
- LED engineers and color scientists
- AI workflow supervisors in VFX
- Unreal Engine operators (high demand)
Adapting Roles
- Cinematographers learning to light LED walls
- Editors learning AI-assisted cataloging
- Writers potentially using AI for research
- Assistant editors mastering AI tagging systems
Potentially Diminishing
- Some location scouts (if more is done virtually)
- Some on-set scenic painting
- Junior writing tasks (if AI assists with generic scenes)
- Entry-level VFX rotoscoping work
The expectation is that virtual production will become just "production" — a normal option for filmmakers — and AI will become a background assistant, much like editing software, rather than an auteur.
The analogy to Photoshop is apt: initially there were fears digital editing would kill jobs, but instead it became a standard tool artists use.
What's Next
Hollywood's tech frontier in 2025 features a mix of cutting-edge virtual production and a watchful stance on AI — innovation tempered by labor safeguards.
The next 1-2 years will likely bring:
- AI tools integrated into workflows (script drafting assistance under writer supervision)
- AI-enhanced motion-capture for CG characters
- Possible "100% human-made" certification movements
- Fully synthetic characters blending with live actors on volumes
- Cloud collaboration expanding (editors working remotely on global footage)
The Bottom Line
Technology is transforming Hollywood, but not in a monolithic sweep — it's integration happening piece by piece.
The story of Hollywood has always been one of adopting new tech (sound, CGI, streaming) and surviving — albeit with some dislocation. The current wave is no different.