Key Points
- Meta has partnered with Blumhouse Productions to test its new generative AI video tool, Movie Gen.
- Movie Gen can create realistic video and audio clips in response to user prompts and aims to rival tools from OpenAI and ElevenLabs.
- Filmmakers Aneesh Chaganty, The Spurlock Sisters, and Casey Affleck are involved in creating short films using Movie Gen.
- Meta has also struck deals with actors for its AI chatbot, and other tech companies like OpenAI are exploring partnerships with Hollywood.
Facebook parent company Meta has announced a partnership with Blumhouse Productions, the Hollywood studio known for producing popular horror films such as The Purge and Get Out, to test its new generative AI video model, Movie Gen. This collaboration marks a significant step in Meta’s efforts to integrate its AI technology with the creative film industry.
Meta unveiled Movie Gen earlier this month, showcasing the tool’s ability to generate realistic video and audio clips based on user prompts. Meta claims the model could rival leading media generation tools from companies like OpenAI and ElevenLabs. By partnering with Blumhouse, Meta aims to demonstrate its generative AI’s potential in filmmaking.
The partnership includes filmmakers Aneesh Chaganty, The Spurlock Sisters, and actor-director Casey Affleck, who have been invited to use Movie Gen to create clips for their short films. According to Meta, Chaganty’s film will be featured on the official Movie Gen website, while the films from Affleck and The Spurlock Sisters are expected to be released soon.
Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating that artists remain at the heart of the industry and that innovative technologies like Movie Gen can enhance their storytelling. “We welcomed the chance for some of them to test this cutting-edge technology and give their notes on its pros and cons while it’s still in development,” said Blum. He also emphasized the importance of involving creatives in shaping such tools to ensure they meet the needs of filmmakers.
Meta’s collaboration with Blumhouse signals its intent to engage with the creative industries, which have been cautious about the rise of generative AI due to concerns over copyright and consent. Numerous copyright owners have filed lawsuits against major tech companies, including Meta, alleging their works were used without permission to train AI systems. Meta, however, has maintained that its AI training falls under the doctrine of fair use.
In addition to the Movie Gen initiative, Meta has also struck deals with actors like Judi Dench, Kristen Bell, and John Cena, who have lent their voices to Meta AI chatbots. This shows that Meta is willing to pay for certain types of content to support its AI projects.
Other tech companies are also exploring partnerships in Hollywood. Microsoft-backed OpenAI has talked with entertainment executives about its video generation tool, Sora, although no formal deals have been made public. Meanwhile, Lions Gate Entertainment recently signed a deal with AI startup Runway for similar initiatives.
