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Netflix Buys AI Firm, Promises Production Cost Cuts
1 Apr
Summary
- Netflix acquired Ben Affleck's AI firm, InterPositive.
- AI technology could cut visual effects costs by 50%.
- Savings could reach 10-20% on total production costs.
Netflix has acquired Ben Affleck's AI startup, InterPositive, in a move that could significantly impact film and TV production costs. The company's technology, detailed in a patent application filed under Affleck's legal name, Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt, aims to deliver substantial savings. Projections suggest reductions of 10% to 20% on total production costs, with visual effects potentially seeing a 50% decrease and background actor expenses dropping by 70%.
The patent application highlights specific departmental savings, including 40% for additional production units outside main locations and 30% for the art department. This development arrives amid industry-wide anxiety regarding job security and ongoing union contract negotiations. Affleck stated his goal was to preserve the human element of storytelling and protect creative professionals.
Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria indicated the focus is on enhancing production quality, not just reducing expenses. The company emphasizes a responsible AI approach, aiming to empower storytellers rather than replace them. Affleck previously predicted AI would streamline laborious, costly aspects of filmmaking, potentially lowering entry barriers for new voices.
