Cinematographer Matthew Libatique says director Darren Aronofsky plans to use artificial intelligence in the making of their next film together. Libatique made the announcement to Variety at the Evolution Mallorca film festival, where he received an award for his contribution to cinematography.
According to Libatique, he and Aronofsky will soon begin testing. "We have discussed it. I believe the more data you give the system, the more precise the result will be. He wants to see what effect can be achieved with minimal effort," the cinematographer said. He added that they both want to better understand the technology's capabilities.
Darren Aronofsky has long been interested in the use of neural networks in film. Last year, in partnership with Google DeepMind, an artificial intelligence laboratory, he opened his own studio, Primordial Soup. Libatique, however, assured that their future film will not be generated entirely from a text prompt. "We will shoot it as a film. We will be on set. Darren will get down on his knees and move everything with his fingers... I don't think this will replace what he does, but he's interested in it," he explained.
Libatique believes that artificial intelligence will not replace cinema but may affect the production of high-budget films. In his view, major studios such as Marvel could use neural networks to reduce visual effects costs, but not to replace actors.
Do you really think you can create a character with AI who could do what Robert Pattinson does?
— Matthew Libatique
Matthew Libatique is Darren Aronofsky's longtime cinematographer; the two have worked together since 1993. He shot nearly all of his films, including Pi, Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan and The Whale. Libatique has been nominated for the Oscar three times: for Black Swan, A Star Is Born and Maestro. Which film will be their next collaboration has not yet been announced.
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