For countless prominent directors and producers, their journey into the industry began with tasks that are on the brink of being automated by AI technology. Screenwriter Van Robichaux shares his own narrative, discussing how an assistant- turned producer on the Oscar-nominated ‘The Brutalist’, catapulted his career by taking notice of his script and thrusting it into the right hands. This assistant gained his initial industry insight, much like other Hollywood moguls, by analyzing scripts and presenting them to the gatekeepers of the industry. However, as AI infiltrates the film industry, positions such as script readers are becoming obsolete.
Robichaux questions the future of Hollywood creatively, pondering what would have happened to the assistant, the film ‘The Brutalist’, and even his own career without the need for manual script reading. This query, sprung from the mind of a writer known for ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and currently scribing the sequel of ‘Wedding Crashers’, is rooted in reality. With AI poised to take over the brunt of lower level work, the fallout may mean the elimination of starting positions that nurture new talent and cultivate understanding of the intricate cinematic business.
The incalculable value of these start-up jobs is in the potential they provide for fresh talent and unversed individuals, educating them and offering a foundation for their industry learning. Knowledge that seems commonplace within the industry becomes priceless in an ecosystem as complex and contentious as the entertainment business. The potential void left by AI may result in the loss of a crucial platform that serves as an incubator for the future decision-makers in the industry.
Robichaux identifies a potential predicament, ‘[AI] does create a pipeline problem,’ he says, unfolding a stark reality where every notable Hollywood producer’s origin, linked to a minor industry role, is on the brink of extinction.
The repercussions of AI are not limited to the Hollywood industry. Populated by young ambitious individuals aiming to work for the commercial goods powerhouse, Unilever, thousands of dreams are born in India. Fresh hires in the company are given an early understanding of their products’ pricing dynamics and consumer behavior. They are sent to rural areas to sell small items like soap, an exercise that gives them a firsthand experience of the commercial world.
Not unlike the on-set skills, techniques, and movie shorthand developed in Hollywood, Unilever provides employees with insights gained from hands-on experience. This in-depth understanding of the industry at its grassroots level may be at risk with the onset of AI interference.
Chandrasekaran identifies an ominous fallout: ‘We would lose some of that lower-level tacit knowledge, which is important for higher-level decisions.’ This observation may unnerve many as talent agencies often kickstart their trainees’ experience in humble settings like the mailroom. Promotion leads to assistant roles dealing with administrative work and eventually opens doors to becoming an agent.
Similarly, people in the roles of script readers or assistants are exposed to the minute intricacies of the entertainment business, picking up must-have cues on audience preferences which help birth the producers and writers of tomorrow. The potential loss of these positions could mean closing off an accessible and practical path into the entertainment industry.
When it comes to harnessing AI, Hollywood has traditionally maintained a conservative stance. Tech-driven layoffs have already soared past the 100,000 mark this year alone. Will conventional entry-level roles witness an overhaul with the advent of AI?
The future could see novices skipping the menial tasks, enabling them to launch their journey at more advanced levels of creativity. However, alongside the benefits, a perilous risk tag hangs. Valuable reserve knowledge, which often comes from firsthand industry experience, is under the threat of being lost.
‘The risk is we become so dependent on AI, when we have a catastrophic element that AI doesn’t foresee, we can’t make decisions,’ warns Chandrasekaran. The unpredictable nature of Hollywood, with its many twists and turns, perhaps even catastrophes, calls for human intervention that AI may not be equipped to deal with.
The post AI Disruption: Are Entry-Level Hollywood Jobs at Risk? appeared first on Real News Now.
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