Traditional creative workflows are always changing, sometimes in subtle ways, and sometimes in large ways as with computers. As the lines blur between AI and traditional workflows what separates good from the mediocre?
There was a tweet I came across recently which showed a re-imagination of Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke trailer done completely with AI Tools. The creator PJ Ace also posted a workflow on Reddit as well as a youtube tutorial. The tweet and youtube video have subsequently been taken down due to backlash against the use of AI Tools in this way. I’ll post the reddit post and the subsequent responses over the take down below.
It got me thinking though about art and creativity and what makes something good. There were obvious shortcomings with the AI version, such as the facial expressions, lack of action, and more. Another obvious critique of the trailer is that it isn’t original. It’s aiming to copy something that was already masterfully created and loved. Much like Disney’s remakes of their classic animated films in live action it begs the question, why? The answer often being the obvious, money, attention, or because they could.
There’s also the artist’s angle where folks like Miyazaki himself has come out disparaging AI. Saying, “I am utterly disgusted” when asked about it. It should be noted he also dislikes CGI, saying, “I Believe the Tool of an Animator Is the Pencil.” His attitudes and preference for painstaking detail culminate in the beautiful scenes and moments captured in his work. Perhaps his work could not have been captured any other way.
The backlash seems to be due to a combination of the quality of the results as well as it’s use in a way that relies more on the process here than on making something of meaning and beauty. The fact is AI will and can be seamlessly integrated into traditional workflows as well, perhaps in less obvious ways. What if an animator draws keyframes and then uses AI to create the between frames of them? At what point do you draw the line that the use of a tool or workflow soils the whole work.
One thing that stands out to me of anything of quality is the craftsmanship. The level of care, knowledge and understanding that goes into making something that someone pours a large chunk of their lives and selves into. This can be done with any number of tools but the essence is the same. CGI tools despite Miyazaki’s distaste for them have been used by great craftsmen to tell amazing stories and create real pieces of art.
There will continue to be art created with and without AI, but as the technology improves the lines will blur in ways it will be harder to distinguish.
Here is the video comparing the original and AI version for posterity.