World’s First Entirely AI-Made Film Releases Trailer, Keeps Recasting Leads

Video screenshot via TCLtvplus

AI lights, AI camera, AI action! The movie-making industry has been flirting with artificial intelligence for a while now, with the technology being used to create trailers and even short films. However, Next Stop Paris sets a new precedent—it marks the first time an entire film, from script to imagery, has been generated using AI.

TCLtv+, a fresh face in production under the umbrella of TCL—a partially state-owned Chinese giant in the consumer electronics sector—has embraced modern-day tools to sculpt the visual landscape of Next Stop Paris. While AI takes the artistic reins, professional (human) voice actors lend their voices to bring the characters to life.

This “AI-powered love story” follows Claire, a heartbroken woman who embarks on her solo honeymoon to Paris after her fiancé ditches her at the altar. A chance encounter on the train sparks a new romance, and Next Stop Paris unfolds their love story against the backdrop of iconic Parisian landmarks.  Cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, and the Eiffel Tower bathed in the golden glow of sunset are all dreamed up by AI.

The film, scheduled for a summer premiere, is the collaborative effort of artists across the US, Canada, the UK, and Poland, who have animated this special feature.

Video screenshot via TCLtvplus

Creators used Stable Diffusion to develop custom AI models specifically tailored for this movie, as reported by Light Reading. The visuals are decidedly choppy and artificial-looking, and one can only hope that’s deliberate to drive home the overarching role of machines. But it’s hard to follow a story closely when the faces of the lead characters change every time.

Is that you, Claire?

Video screenshot via TCLtvplus

Almost didn’t recognize you there, Claire.

Video screenshot via TCLtvplus

“Story will be at the heart of everything we do,” shares Chris Regina, chief content officer at TCL. “We are empowering creators and storytellers to use this new technology so the human experience is enriched, and we believe that Creatives with limitless imagination will drive endless innovation. We view Next Stop Paris as an early experiment and we’re excited to see how it’s received in the town square.”

[via Tom’s Hardware, Kotaku, PetaPixel, video and screenshots via TCLtvplus]