Animated Features Like ‘Transformers One’ and ’Wild Robot’ and More Rely on Artists for the Magic as Machine Learning or AI Works in Support
variety.comKaren Idelson As technological advances make even more astonishing imagery possible for many of the leading contenders in the animated feature Oscar race, they’re still leaning toward the skilled hands of the artisans who’ve mastered their craft and away from AI or machine learning.
While some may use machine learning — a type of AI — in the early stages of motion capture or to iterate ideas, the knowledge of experienced VFX artists and the performance capabilities of animators are central to creating the unique imagery sought by the filmmakers behind these movies.
Some films, like “Lord of the Rings: The Lord of the Rohirrim,” are more focused on traditional low-tech tools to create their look. “Transformers One,” an origin story helmed by Josh Cooley, was designed with heavy research on both previous Transformers storytelling and the types of metals that could be used to create the impact the filmmakers wanted.
Cooley’s team consisted of many artists who grew up on Transformers and had strong opinions of how they should look and move.
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