Ted Sarandos, the CEO of Netflix, addressed questions during the first quarter earnings call in 2025 regarding the use of AI in film and series production. Sarandos referenced an interview with James Cameron, stating that AI can reduce production costs by 50%. He believes that AI not only reduces costs but also enhances the quality of films by 10%. Currently, Netflix’s team integrates AI into various processes such as set referencing and preparation of visual effects, improving the efficiency of filmmaking.
Previously, only high-budget films could access advanced effects like de-aging. However, with the advancement of AI tools, even low-budget films can now utilize such effects. An example is Rodrigo Prieto, the cinematographer of “The Irishman” (2019), who used de-aging at a high cost five years ago. Now, Prieto’s latest work, “Pedro Páramo” (2024), employs de-aging at a significantly lower cost, marking an exciting development in the film industry.
Source: Netflix (PDF), Deadline
TLDR: Ted Sarandos of Netflix discussed the use of AI in filmmaking during a recent earnings call, highlighting the cost-saving and quality-enhancing benefits of AI-driven processes. The integration of AI in film production opens up opportunities for both high and low-budget films to achieve advanced visual effects.
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