Mike Sokol’s Post

Excerpt from a discussion on the Cinematography list and the possible future of GAI in film production. There are skeptics, cautious optimists and dreamers. GAI At The Movies GAI is writing the script and generating the footage along with the sound, and edits it. Then GAI makes the pitch deck to sell it to the studio which receives a bot response. Shortly after, it schedules the screenings, it buys the tickets in select theaters, generates the POV proof iPhone footage that GAI was at the theater and writes glowing reviews of film on social media platforms, which then gets more GAI inspired to make the next film. After a few iterations, eventually GAI will make a movie about AI going to the movies. It will be grand.   We won’t need to do anything. We can enjoy our Martini in the Bahamas all while this is going on and read the GAI generated coverage in the news. Some hyped up investors have dreams for the ultimate streaming wars (GAI Western League against GAI Eastern League). Maybe even a reality show spin-off.   Then comes the phone call from the people that actually put the money up, saying "What the heck were you doing?". Those people looked at the power bill and realized all they got for it was pixels in the cloud. Fade to black…. GAI is an interesting proof of concept. It will have some useful functions now and in the future. But it's also a giant hyped up bubble, just like EVs, crypto, mortgages, and others like tulips before. Some smaller version of each of them lives on while everyone is chasing the next big thing. I use AI tools, I find them useful in certain contexts. It can solve real-world problems on large data sets that benefit humanity. But the current AI circus is exhausting, short sighted, partially dangerous, and it's time to ease up and remember gravity. Some stories better stay in fantasy land. The environmental (AI is very power hungry), human (bias and displacement), reductive (based on past and limited visibility) cost of GAI should not be ignored, or we will all regret. Otherwise GAI will make its next movie about the species that was called humans, which were a fascinating bunch, but then just drove straight over the cliff, which still puzzles everyone.

iPhone Filmmaking: Your Thoughts on "Unsane"? I recently watched the trailer for Steven Soderbergh's feature film "Unsane" and found it incredibly intriguing. The film, shot entirely on an #iPhone, seems to explore themes of mental health, perception, and reality, creating a tense and immersive experience. Since the film isn't available in my location, I'm reaching out to those of you who have seen it. What were your thoughts on "Unsane"? Did the film live up to the intensity and promise of the trailer? How did the unique cinematography impact your viewing experience? Additionally, do you think the technical aspects of "Unsane" would qualify it for streaming on major OTT platforms in 2024? Are the top OTT platforms focused on innovative content like this, or is there a risk of them losing quality due to lack of unique offerings? I would love to hear your insights and experiences with this psychological thriller. #FilmDiscussion #Unsane #StevenSoderbergh #MentalHealth #Cinematography #PsychologicalThriller #OTTPlatforms

Vivid World-Building: The story's expansive universe, which bridges the gap between tradition and futuristic elements, offers a visually captivating backdrop that could be brought to life with the right cinematography and visual effects. Dynamic Characters: The diverse range of characters, each with their own backstories, motives, and arcs, could attract top-tier actors and provide a multifaceted narrative that keeps viewers engaged. Multi-Genre Appeal: The blend of sci-fi mystery with historical undertones can cater to a broad audience, appealing to fans of various genres. Deep Themes: The underlying themes of tradition vs. modernity, history vs. future, and the unknown vs. the familiar can resonate with audiences on a deeper level, making the movie not just an entertaining watch but also a thought-provoking one.

Vivid World-Building: The story's expansive universe, which bridges the gap between tradition and futuristic elements, offers a visually captivating backdrop that could be brought to life with the right cinematography and visual effects. Dynamic Characters: The diverse range of characters, each with their own backstories, motives, and arcs, could attract top-tier actors and provide a multifaceted narrative that keeps viewers engaged. Multi-Genre Appeal: The blend of sci-fi mystery with historical undertones can cater to a broad audience, appealing to fans of various genres. Deep Themes: The underlying themes of tradition vs. modernity, history vs. future, and the unknown vs. the familiar can resonate with audiences on a deeper level, making the movie not just an entertaining watch but also a thought-provoking one.

Ready to discover how mirrors unlock cinematic magic? 🎥🪞 Join us as we explore the fascinating role of mirrors in filmmaking and how they enhance visual storytelling. Learn about the creative techniques directors and cinematographers use to incorporate mirrors in their scenes, from symbolizing duality and introspection to creating stunning visual effects. Discover iconic movie moments where mirrors played a crucial role and understand the deeper meanings they convey. Whether you're a film buff, a budding filmmaker, or someone curious about movie magic, this guide will provide valuable insights into the artistic use of mirrors in cinema. Let's reflect on the enchanting power of mirrors in the film industry. #CinematicMagic #FilmTechniques 🎥🪞 https://lnkd.in/dhXvwcfa

Interesting article, examples of what cinema would be like without special effects and motion capture.  Basically very boring....What do you think? #Motioncapture #ComputerAnimation #CreativeTech #MotionArt #CGIArt #ProfessionalAnimation #VisualArt #MoCap https://lnkd.in/dAcvn_Gi

Check out this great article on virtual production! It highlights 10 things to know about virtual production and its impact on the film industry. The article also raises an interesting question: where do you think xR stages will take us in the next few years? And how accessible will they be for independent film? Let's start a conversation in the comments! #virtualproduction #filmindustry #xRstages https://lnkd.in/eSBmprur

Measuring Digital Cinema Screen Luminance isn't just about the technicalities; it's about delivering the immersive and captivating cinematic viewing experience exactly as intended by the creative minds behind the scenes — directors, cinematographers, and the entire filmmaking team. The film industry follows standards set by organizations like SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) to ensure consistent screen luminance and accurate luminance measurement is a cornerstone of meeting these benchmarks. Interested to find out more about how digital cinema screen luminance measurement is done? Check out this whitepaper, where we dive deeper into standardized practice for screen luminance measurement, including the professional instrument commonly used. https://lnkd.in/gn7KtHCc #screenluminancemeasurement #screenbrightnessmeasurement #luminancemeasurement #luminancemeters #lightanddisplaymeasurement #cinemascreenluminance

Does this effect all industries even outside of Hollywood? AI technology is improving so fast that studios are threatening filmmakers that soon every industry job can be replaced. AI may be able to generate an entire feature-film in a second. In a recent interview with MSNBC, actor and writer Joseph Gordon-Levit suggests that the human laborers who trained AI generated content should receive residuals for their work. AI may be able to produce screenplays in a second, but only after it has consumed the years of hard labor of actual artists. Listen for more of what he had to say. #SpaceDreamProductions #FilmmakingActually #JGL #JosephGordonLevitt #RegularJoe #hitRECord #RiskIndependence #IndependentFilm #IndieFilmmaker #TipsAndTricks #TheMoreYouKnow #WomenInFilm #KnowledgeIsPower #IndependentFilm #Cinema #SupportIndieFilm #Cinematography #Actor #Movie #Filmmakers#IndieFilm #Film #Filmmaking #Filmmaker #ShortFilm #FilmFestival #Director #RiskIndependence #IndependentFilm #IndieFilmmaker #TipsAndTricks #TheMoreYouKnow #WomenInFilm #KnowledgeIsPower

Godzilla Minus One - Review "Godzilla Minus One" elevates beyond a typical monster movie, melding sharp social commentary with human stories. It symbolizes nuclear war through Godzilla, delving into the human cost of war, highlighted by Koichi, a kamikaze pilot burdened by his failed mission. This theme critiques the absurdity of wartime honor. The film's portrayal of an angry Godzilla is remarkable. His awe-inspiring introduction leaves a lasting impression. Then, once evolved by the H-bomb exposure, the Big G’s size and terrifying presence are convincingly portrayed, with deliberately stiff and awkward movements adding realism. The blend of miniatures and CGI is very effective. In theaters, "Godzilla Minus One" is a must-see, boasting exceptional cinematography, effects, acting, and storytelling. It represents a significant leap for Toho, introducing Godzilla to American audiences in a compelling, heart-wrenching way. It might even be the best Godzilla movie ever, perfectly balancing spectacle and depth. Or as my friend Totowa Tom said, “its not just a good Godzilla movie, it's a great movie. See it on the biggest screen possible. See on the highest screen possible. - Chuck M