Virtual cameras, Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, Houdini, Flux, ChatGPT — Filmmaker and Professor John Brennan uses them all. John is a second member of the AI vanguard teaching at USC (after last week’s guest, Scott Easley), who discusses his journey in interactive media and motion capture, and examines, often profoundly, the evolution of technology in the creative process. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and the role of AI in enhancing creativity while also addressing the challenges artists face when using AI tools. The discussion also hits on the balance between individual creativity and collaboration, the impact of AI on artistic expression, and the harrowing – yes, harrowing! – experience of training AI models to reflect personal artistic styles. Over this hour, we discuss so many fascinating topics I can’t even list them all in a quick intro: the intricacies of machine learning and AI in the context of art and creativity, explore the technical aspects of diffusion models, the ethical implications of AI-generated art, and the evolving relationship between artists and technology, the balance between utilizing AI as a creative tool and maintaining artistic control, and the future of AI in the creative process. We even go on at length about Aristotle.

ONE NOTE: the audio is really rough at the outset, but then gets better, but is never 100% – but I HAD to release this episode, because we go to such interesting places. Please bear with it and trust me, the concepts and conversation are worth it.

*****

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to John Brennan and His Background
02:16 The Evolution of Motion Capture and Interactive Media
06:35 AI’s Role in Creative Processes and Virtual Production
11:00 The Balance of Collaboration and Individual Creativity
17:54 Exploring AI Tools and Their Impact on Art
21:58 The Harrowing Process of Training AI Models
26:42 Exploring the Depths of Machine Learning
30:55 The Legal and Ethical Landscape of AI Art
33:59 The Creative Sandbox: Merging Concepts and Ideas
38:46 Navigating Aesthetics: The Quest for Imperfection
47:41 The Future of AI in Creative Processes

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Takeaways

* John Brennan is a pioneer in interactive media and motion capture.
* The evolution of motion capture has opened new creative possibilities.
* AI is becoming integral to creative processes in film and gaming.
* Collaboration is essential in creative projects, even with advanced technology.
* Artists face self-doubt when training AI on their own work.
* The balance between individual creativity and collaboration is crucial.
* AI tools can enhance artistic expression but also present challenges.
* Training AI models can be a harrowing experience for artists.
* The importance of iteration and serendipity in creative work.
* Understanding AI tools requires nuanced engagement from artists. John expresses a deep interest in understanding the technical workings of AI tools.
* The conversation touches on the legal implications of using AI-generated art.
* AI models like stable diffusion raise questions about originality and artistic ownership.
* The ability to remix and combine concepts is a key feature of AI art tools.
* There is a tension between the perfection of AI-generated images and the desire for human imperfection.
* The role of the artist is evolving in the age of AI, requiring new forms of collaboration.
* John emphasizes the importance of maintaining control over the creative process.
* The discussion reflects on the philosophical implications of AI in art creation.
* AI tools can serve as a source of inspiration but should not replace the artist’s intuition.
* The future of AI in art will require a nuanced understanding of its capabilities and limitations.

*****

Sound Bites

“I’m interested when things are especially unsettled.”
“What do we need to do on a mocap stage?”
“AI being the next step of that process.”
“Finding those places for iteration and serendipity.”
“Do we lose something in the access to serendipity?”
“I started trying to make my footprint less and less.”
“This is a machine drawing and a machine rendering.”
“It’s a meaning or a symbolic sandbox.”
“I’m swimming in a sea of beautiful mediocrity.”
“It’s about when do I have control.”
“We will be using it as a form of outsourcing.”