Netflix aquired Ben Affleck’s AI film startup InterPositive for up to $600 million (based on certain milestones). Affleck’s AI tool augments existing filmmaking workflows: ▫️directors can train a small model from their own dailies ▫️improves the post-production editorial process ▫️more quickly mix, color and finish films (use their trained model to change shots, add props, enhance backgrounds or remove visuals while keeping consistency) Seems similar to work James Cameron is doing with AI and VFX. Cameron says his interest in GenAI is to reduce post-production costs by making the “cadence faster, so your throughput cycle is faster and artists get to move on and do other cool things.” If AI can reduce VFX costs by 1/2, Cameron thinks that means more blockbusters (including original IP or up-and-coming directors that wouldn’t otherwise get greenlit). Affleck mentions “getting more episodes” of your favourite TV shows with his tech. If Affleck hits the full $600 million cash deal, this looks to be Netflix’s largest tech acquisition ever. Whether or not the tech is worth that much, Netflix is getting the Affleck halo of a well-known (but still skeptical) AI practitioner. He has been Hollywood’s go-to takesman (eg. Rogan) on how AI can or can not change Hollywood (he doesn’t think it has creative chops for scriptwriting and thinks unions will protect a lot of acting/writing jobs for foreseeable future). If Netflix wants to ramp its use of AI, Affleck’s narrow view of the technology’s use makes it less threatening and helps with creative talent (David Fincher already using it for Brad Pitt film, probably the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood sequel). “It’s not about text prompting or building something from nothing,” Affleck says. “You’re building a model from your own material.” *** Lucas Shaw at Bloomberg on deal structure: ...