Hollywood’s stunt performers are facing an uncertain future as artificial intelligence (AI) threatens to take over their jobs. While actors have expressed concerns about AI’s impact on their industry, stunt performers are already experiencing the consequences. With the advent of AI, studios are exploring cheaper and more powerful techniques to create elaborate action sequences without relying on human performers.
One of the primary methods studios employ is using computer-generated background figures to reduce the number of actors needed for battle scenes. This not only cuts costs but also allows for greater control over the visuals. However, advancements in AI technology go even further, as studios now require stunt and background performers to participate in high-tech 3D body scans on set. The purpose of these scans is often undisclosed, leaving performers uncertain about how and when their digital replicas will be used.
The rise of AI means that these digital replicas could be used to create highly realistic computer-generated stunt performers capable of executing any action or delivering any dialogue desired by the creators. The fear among stunt performers is that these virtual avatars could replace them, posing a threat to their livelihoods. Stunt coordinators express concerns that studios could opt to use AI-generated characters instead of hiring stunt performers to play nondescript roles such as pedestrians in car chase scenes. This potential shift could lead to job losses for many in the stunt industry.
However, the impact of AI goes beyond simply replacing stunt performers with digital replicas. Director Neill Blomkamp believes that AI could reach a point within the next six to 12 months where it can generate photo-realistic footage based solely on a director’s instructions. This would render traditional filmmaking techniques obsolete, eliminating the need for computer graphics, visual effects, cameras, and even physical stunts. Blomkamp’s vision of the future presents a starkly different landscape for the film industry.
The ongoing strike by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-Aftra) and Hollywood’s writers sheds light on the lack of guarantees surrounding the use of AI. SAG-Aftra warns that studios intend to create digital replicas of performers for perpetual use in any project without adequate compensation. The studios dispute these claims and argue that they have offered rules including informed consent and fair payment. Nevertheless, the strike underscores the uncertainty and concern surrounding the future of AI in the entertainment industry.
While AI technology continues to improve, there are still challenges in creating computer-generated VFX that are indistinguishable from reality. The audience can often perceive the difference, giving human performers an edge. While AI has incredible potential, there are still limitations and areas where its results remain slightly unpredictable. Despite this, Blomkamp believes that AI will fundamentally change society and the film industry as we know it. The future of stunt work and filmmaking will likely involve a combination of human performers, AI, and VFX, with a focus on executing sequences that would be too dangerous or logistically challenging using traditional methods alone.
The uncertain future faced by stunt performers has left many concerned and nervous. Stunt work has long been a respected profession within the film industry, attracting individuals with a particular set of skills and a desire to push boundaries. However, as AI continues to advance, the job market for stunt performers may dwindle. While the role may evolve rather than disappear entirely, the undeniable reality is that the industry is changing, and stunt performers must adapt to survive in this new landscape.
As the film industry grapples with AI’s implications, it is paramount to strike a balance between embracing technological advancements and preserving the unique contributions of human performers. The world of entertainment will undoubtedly be transformed, but the question remains: how will AI reshape Hollywood’s approach to storytelling, special effects, and the role of stunt performers? Only time will tell.
