Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a giant in the tech industry, transforming the workforce in all kinds of ways. From transportation manufacturers to home appliance companies, machine learning is being used to streamline everyday activities. One industry that is less publicized but is making significant strides with AI is the movie theater industry.

AI: A Game Changer in Filmmaking

AI, a field of computer science dedicated to creating systems that mimic human intelligence, has found its way into the heart of the film industry. From enhancing visual content to streamlining production processes, AI is revolutionizing the way films are produced and experienced. This extends to the cinema theatre experience as well, with cinemas using AI and similar technology like machine learning to their advantage.

The Positive Impact on Cinema Theatres

AI has significantly enhanced the visual quality of films. It has enabled filmmakers to create complex worlds and visuals that were once thought impossible. This means that as cinema theatre operators, we can now offer our audiences an unprecedented level of visual quality, enhancing their overall cinema experience.

Moreover, AI has led to increased efficiency in filmmaking. Traditional filmmaking methods often require a lot of time and money as they involve multiple takes and manual editing. AI, on the other hand, can streamline processes like post-production, helping to save time while enabling producers to keep costs low. This efficiency can translate into more films being available for screening and potentially lower costs for cinema operators.

The Challenges for Cinema Theatres

Despite its many benefits, AI also presents certain challenges. One of the main concerns is the potential loss of the human touch in storytelling. While AI offers many benefits in terms of visual effects, it lacks the human touch needed for more creative endeavors such as writing entire scripts or developing characters. This could potentially impact the emotional connection that audiences form with the films they watch in our theatres.

Moreover, the introduction of AI into filmmaking can potentially lead to job losses as fewer manual tasks require human labor. This could have a detrimental effect on people previously employed in related roles, such as post-production technicians, editors, VFX artists, actors, and other creatives. As cinema operators, we must be mindful of these potential impacts and consider how we can support our industry colleagues during this transition.

AI in Film: An Exciting Future

As we move into 2023 and beyond, we must appreciate the way AI has revolutionized our experiences inside a theater or movie streaming service. It's sure to be an incredible ride ahead!

Let's embrace this change and leverage the power of AI to create an enhanced cinema experience for our audiences. After all, the future of cinema is here, and it's powered by AI.

Ethical Considerations

As the use of AI in film continues to advance rapidly, so do the ethical dilemmas accompanying it. One of the most pressing concerns is the potential for AI-generated content to be plagiarized. With the ability to analyze vast amounts of existing material and create new content based on it, there is a risk of inadvertently or even intentionally copying someone else’s work. This is especially important for written work, such as the movie’s screenplay. As creators continue to explore the possibilities of AI in their work, it is important to remember the importance of giving credit where credit is due and using AI-generated content ethically to avoid any accusations of plagiarism.

Personalized Advertisement

A large appeal for the use of AI in movie marketing is personalization. AI really shines in analytics and compiling data about customer decisions and trends, so it’s natural that a giant industry like the film industry would utilize it to understand and communicate with their customers. The change from previous forms of movie marketing, however, is how exactly they reach those individuals.

This concept begins with personalized advertisements. The movie advertisements you get on streaming services are being sent to you personally because AI has determined you will enjoy the movie in question. Furthermore, AI will be directing ads with price incentives for movies or concessions at customers based on how likely they are to see a certain film.

Customer Service

AI help desks and virtual assistants are being used in several industries that depend on customer care for their income and revenue. But these same bots are also beginning to allow people to order concessions before they even get to the cinema. Imagine how this might change the movie-going experience.

For instance, think about all the times you have waited in line for popcorn or drinks, and how the person ahead of you may not have known what they wanted. If you’ve ever been late to a movie due to prior responsibilities, this is particularly frustrating. But imagine if you could order that food with your ticket. You could just walk up, grab your order, and head into the movie without waiting for people to make up their minds. This makes the movie-going experience much more efficient, with less waiting and better delivery.

The advent of AI in the film industry presents both opportunities and challenges for cinema theatre operators. While it offers the potential for enhanced visual experiences and increased efficiency, it also raises concerns about the loss of the human touch in storytelling and potential job losses. As we navigate this new landscape, it's crucial that we embrace the opportunities, address the challenges, and consider the ethical implications of using AI. The future of cinema is here, and it's powered by AI.

Hollywood's Double Strike: SAG-AFTRA Joins WGA Amid Rising AI Concerns and Profit Disputes

The Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has joined the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in a strike, marking Hollywood's first double strike in 63 years. After weeks of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the WGA, representing roughly 11,500 people, announced that its members would cease work from May 2. This decision follows the AMPTP's responses to the WGA's proposals, which the latter deemed insufficient considering the challenges writers face in the industry. 

The WGA's contract with the AMPTP expired on May 1. A strike has substantial economic impacts, with the last writers strike in 2007-2008 resulting in a $2.1 billion loss to California's economy. The WGA argues that their proposals would yield an additional $429 million per year for writers, while the AMPTP proposes an $86 million increase. The WGA also noted significant industry profit growth, from $5 billion in 2000 to between $28-$30 billion from 2017-2021. Writers strikes are often linked to the industry grappling with large technological advances.