“Lord of the Rings” actor defends use of AI: “Can create beautiful things”

British actor Andy Serkis, known for being the Gollum of “Lord of the Rings”, has long joined technology and art. After all, he is a pioneer of the technique of capturing movement in the cinema, where his movements are reproduced in an animation, including his expression.

But, after all, what does he think about artificial intelligence, which was a big theme of the strikers’ strike and Hollywood actors in 2023?

THE CNN Serkis said the genius has already left the lamp, so the alternative is to know how to deal with Ia and use it to the best possible way.

“That is, not to cut costs, but as a form of positive artistic expression,” he says. “It’s not cheating. It must still be created by a human being, but it can be used incrediblely.”

The actor also told how was the experience of this time acting on a video game. In Clair Obscu: Expedition 33, now available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S and PC, he plays the character Renoir.

The game’s plot takes place in a fantasy universe inspired by French Belle Époque, where humanity is tormented by a mystical creature called Paintress. Every year she paints a cursed number and all people of that age disappear, which threatens humanity of extinction.

It is definitely a different experience of acting in the cinema, including the preparation to embody the character.

“It’s a little different in a game, because the script of a video game has about 800 pages, you know? So you don’t study the script the same way,” he explains. “What you do is talk to the director, argue with the screenwriter, understand a little about the character’s journey, to know what the arch of history is through a summary.”

Today Serkis looks at the game market as a new opportunities for actors, which goes beyond cinema, TV and theater.

“When I talk to young actors leaving the theater school, they do not see the capture of movement as something strange or distant. They see value in being involved in video games and other forms of immersive narrative,” he says. “The games have reached a point of maturity where they are works of art by their own right.”

The actor also gave more details of the experience of making “Clair Obscu: Expedition 33”, check it out:

What caught your attention on Clair’s script Obscu: Expedition 33? Was it more the general story or your character?

Andy Serkis: It was a combination of three things, actually. The script was really powerful, and I felt it was a very emotional story. When I saw conceptual art, it impressed me a lot, because I thought the world construction in which these characters exist was exceptional and wonderful. And the character I interpret also interested me a lot. Without giving many spoilers, of course, because I don’t want to ruin the surprise. Much of it is quite mysterious, and as you play, you find out more about what motivates Renoir, the character I interpret. But I found the themes of the story and the emotional strength of the character really interesting.

You spoke of the look. While doing the voice, did you see the images or it was in the dark?

Andy Serkis: It’s interesting, because usually, if you’re making an animated movie, there are often some storyboards, but the animation is done based on your voice. In this case, however, for this game, the motion capture had already been performed. So I was able to see a low quality version of the character moving. So I was not only making decisions about the character’s interpretation, but also adapting to the physicality of a movement capture that already existed. This was something I had never done before, because it is usually either directed by my own performance capture or, as I said, in an animated movie, which is a little different. So that was one first time.

When you are preparing for this character, is it different from, say, an animation you have already made or other movies? How do you prepare to interpret it?

Andy Serkis: It’s a little different in a game, because the script for a video game has about 800 pages, you know? So you don’t study the script the same way. But what you do is talk to the director, argue with the screenwriter, understand a little about the character’s journey, to know what the story of the story is in a summary. But in the end, it is about making decisions as an actor: who is this person? How does it express itself physically? How does she express herself emotionally? And the voice comes from it. And, as I said, the only difference this time was that physicality had already been created. So it was helpful to see that.

How do you see the role of technology, especially AI, in audiovisual productions today?

Andy Serkis: Look, the reality is that AI genius has already left the lamp and is here. We all have to deal with it and use it in the best way possible, in creative and powerful ways. That is, not to cut costs, but as a form of positive artistic expression. It’s not cheating. It should still be created by a human being, but can be used incredible.

Like any technological invention, it can be used to create beautiful things or for horrible purposes, such as deceiving, lying, manipulating, as we know. But it is up to us, artists, whether writers, musicians, actors, finally, creative areas. We need to find a way to use it respecting other artists without cheating.

For example, if I were a child who wanted to express myself, but I couldn’t draw, and used AI to see an idea, I see no problem with it. I think it’s about teaching the IA to be respectful of what we want, because she’s like a child: if you teach her well, she treats us well. If you teach you badly, it will turn against us.

Do you think video games are becoming a new border for actors who want to explore different characters full of nuances?

Andy Serkis: 100%. When I talk to young actors leaving the theater school, they do not see the capture of movement as something strange or distant. They see value in being involved in video games and other forms of immersive narrative. The games have reached a maturity point where they are works of art by their own right. The stories that tell exist independently.

It’s like reading books. Today, people hear more Audiobooks than read physical books. Some may say it’s “cheating,” but it’s actually another way to consume art. I don’t have time to read “War and Peace,” but I can hear. And the art behind the creation of an AudioBook is as valid as that of an actor who comes into the motion capture because he wants to be in a game, not necessarily in a movie, piece or series. So, I think it’s a very interesting time for the mix of different art forms.

Check out the video interview:

This content was originally published in an actor of “Lord of the Rings” advocates use of AI: “You can create beautiful things” on the CNN Brazil website.

Source: CNN Brasil