Digital Domain, a leading visual effects production company, is setting its sights on the digital human market, leveraging AI technology to expand its business horizons. The CEO of Digital Domain, Daniel Seah, emphasizes that visual effects encompass every aspect of filmmaking, from pre-production to post-production. This includes creating storyboards, film previews, and animatics before filming even begins.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, Digital Domain has worked on several Marvel productions, showcasing their expertise in visual effects. Seah notes that visual effects budgets have grown significantly in the industry, with some productions allocating over half of their total budget to visual effects.
Despite the growing capabilities of Asian filmmakers, Seah acknowledges that limited budgets often hinder their ability to compete with Western counterparts. He highlights the importance of budget allocation and casting choices in driving visual effects quality.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the film visual effects market, allowing for the instant generation of digital humans. This technology has been crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling film productions to continue amidst restrictions.
While the use of AI in creating virtual humans raises ethical concerns, Seah believes it presents innovative business opportunities. The combination of virtual humans and AI could lead to interactive experiences with customized appearances, reshaping the entertainment industry.
Overall, Digital Domain’s focus on the digital human market and advancements in AI technology signal a new era for visual effects production, offering unique opportunities for growth and creativity in the film industry.
