OpenAI’s DALL-E created images and art for background settings and characters that were used in short employing animation, facial performance capture, music, and sound mixing – all for a science documentary gone awry.
Yes, you knew it was coming… One year after the launch of OpenAI’s DALL-E, writer/director Chad Nelson and Native Foreign’s Nik Kleverov, in collaboration with OpenAI, released the new animated short film, Critterz. The film, the first to have its imagery entirely generated with DALL-E - while simultaneously employing more standard filmmaking techniques, including animation, facial performance capture, music, and sound mixing, is available to watch at critterz.tv – or check it out below!
An animated science documentary turned comedy, Critterz introduces viewers to an unexplored forest inhabited by mysterious little Critterz. In the film, the narrator - David Attenborough’s neighbor Dennis - leads an investigative journey into the isolated forest filled with the “never-before-seen” Critterz, who, along with their unexpected personalities, suddenly appear. The Critterz, including Blu the Red Spider, the lovable gruff Frank, and others, are determined to set the record straight.
“Filmmaking has been a passion of mine, and DALL-E helped realize my creative vision,” said Nelson. “With DALL-E, now anyone can be a creator telling a new or reimagined story. Critterz is just one example of what’s possible, and I hope that this inspires other storytellers and creators to do the same.”
OpenAI’s DALL-E creates realistic images and art from a description in natural language. DALL-E generated all the background settings and characters for the short, allowing the creators to produce hundreds of visuals daily, quickly visualizing their ideas. Once created, animators and designers transformed the 2D environments into a 3D world.
“It’s been magical to watch Chad’s creativity flow from his brain, through DALL-E and onto the screen with so much heart,” said Natalie Summers, Communications and Artist Relations at OpenAI. “Critterz is a vibrant example of how artists can use AI tools to unlock ideas that were once out of reach because of budget, time, or resources.”
“The production process is always evolving,” said Nik Kleverov, who received an Emmy nomination for his work on Netflix’s Narcos opening sequence. “Critterz is the first film to showcase how Generative AI can enhance Hollywood’s creative process, improve decision-making and ultimately help creators bring their ideas to the big screen.”
Watch Critterz:
Additional information is available here.
Source: OpenAI
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
