A long time ago in a galaxy, far, far, away. Actually, scratch that, sorry: right now in a galaxy, we are currently in, in, in.
AIis literally everywhere. It’s impossible to escape. Every day, new advancements are being made, and companies are launchingnew initiativesto take advantage of the technology. Now it seemsDisney, known for its theme parks and massive catalog of popular characters, movies, and blockbuster franchises likeStar Wars, is preparing to launch a new AI initiative. Not even the mouse can escape AI
According toThe Wrap, The Walt Disney Company is set to announce a massive new AI initiative that could completely change how Disney’s creative output works.The report says"individuals with knowledge" of the changes say that the new AI initiative involves hundreds of people at the company, and the focus of it is post-production and visual effects.
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What does this new AI initiative mean for Disney?
Its effects are unclear, but concerns about job losses are
With the new AI initiative focusing on post-production and visual effects, it’s presumed AI will be used to augment and streamline post-production efforts on Disney’s biggest movie projects, which there is no shortage of.The Wrap notesthat the company is uniquely positioned to integrate AI like no other company, thanks to it having one of the most diversified data operations in the world, thanks to its theme parks and Disney+.
An AI announcement could get a push-back by those in the creative community who work in post-production and visual effects. In the spring of 2023, Disney eliminated more than4,000staff members (commonly referred to as cast members). By the end of 2023, Disney had laid off about7,000staff members. There could be legitimate concerns that any major AI initiative from Disney could result in the further loss of jobs at the company.
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Speaking at theCanva Create showcasein May, Disney’s CEO Bob Iger addressed concerns about generative AI’s impact on the creative community. “Don’t fixate on its ability to be disruptive – fixate on [tech’s] ability to make us better and tell better stories. Not only better stories, but to reach more people,” Igersaid at the showcase.
AI has already been used in some Disney productions, most notably inThe Mandalorian, when a young Luke Skywalker appears at the end of its second season.
It’s uncertain when Disney will officially announce its new AI initiative, but concern about it is likely to grow fast.
Disney is releasing its first VHS in 17 years and I have questions
Sometimes, a retro format release makes sense. Being able to purchase Star-Lord’s Awesome Mix on an actual cassette tape was undeniably cool in 2017. But sometimes it doesn’t. Case in point: The VHS release of this past summer’s Alien: Romulus.
20th Century Studios has announced that it will be releasing the film on limited edition VHS on December 3, complete with full screen 4x3 aspect ratio. For reference, the last VHS release by parent company Disney was Cars in 2007, nearly 20 years ago.
With VHS players almost impossible to find outside of eBay and repairs for existing units becoming harder and harder to comission, we have to wonder, who, exactly is this VHS release for. It is doubtful that these novelty items will ever be played on an actual VHS tape player, and its not like the VHS format plays significantly into the history of the Alien franchise. So why do it?
How do you feel about this strange physical release? Would you like to see more VHS releases? Or are you just as
