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From 'The Brutalist' AI Controversy to CES 2025: Addy and Joey Break It Down
In a recent episode of the Denoised podcast, host Joey Daoud sat down with industry veteran Addy Ghani for an in-person discussion covering recent developments in media technology and filmmaking.
The conversation revealed important perspectives on how these events are shaping the future of content creation and virtual production.
Natural Disasters Meet Digital Misinformation
The discussion opened with both hosts sharing their experiences during recent Los Angeles wildfires, highlighting the unique challenges faced by the entertainment industry during natural disasters. While their homes were spared, the conversation quickly turned to a troubling development: the spread of AI-generated imagery during the crisis.
Digital Manipulation in Crisis Coverage
The wildfires exposed a new frontier in misinformation, with AI-generated images being mixed with real disaster footage on social media. Particularly concerning was how these fabricated images were sometimes shared by respected AI experts who failed to recognize them as synthetic.
Hollywood has been making films for hundreds of years and for the most part of that, LA has been the setting for a lot of these films... I think the cultural fabric of the world, the cinematic cultural fabric of the world has an image of Hollywood in LA being destroyed and they played into that.
The Brutalist Controversy: AI in Film Production
A significant portion of the discussion centered on the recent controversy surrounding the film "The Brutalist," a three-and-a-half-hour epic starring Adrien Brody. The film garnered attention for its use of AI voice technology Respeecher to enhance Hungarian dialogue pronunciation.
Technical Innovation vs Public Perception
The hosts discussed how the controversy overshadowed the film's impressive technical achievements, including its use of VistaVision cameras and ambitious scope on a $10 million budget. The film's editor employed Respeecher specifically for a two-minute scene to perfect Hungarian pronunciation, demonstrating a precise and intentional use of AI technology.
It is controversial in the industry to talk about AI, but it shouldn't be, but we should be having a very open discussion about what tools AI can provide us with. There's nothing in the film using AI that hasn't been done before. It just makes the process a lot faster.
CES 2025: Evolution of Trade Shows
Key Technology Developments
The conversation shifted to observations from CES 2025, where several significant developments in virtual production technology were unveiled:
PXO AKIRA's vehicle simulator for virtual production
Disguise's mobile virtual production kit
NVIDIA's new digital computer for AI model training
Virtual Production Innovations
The PXO AKIRA system emerged as a standout development, offering new possibilities for vehicle-based shooting in virtual production environments. The system allows for full-size vehicle mounting, wheel spinning simulation, and integration with techno cranes for dynamic camera movements.
Surprising VP tech reveal at CES from Sony & PIXOMONDO: The PXO AKIRA
Future of Industry Events
The hosts reflected on the evolving nature of trade shows, comparing CES to NAB and discussing their continued relevance in a post-pandemic world. While the format of these events has changed, with some companies like Blackmagic Design shifting to digital announcements, the value of in-person networking and hands-on product experiences remains significant.
Industry Infrastructure
The conversation concluded with a discussion about Los Angeles's enduring role as an entertainment industry hub, despite challenges from competing production locations. Ghani emphasized the city's unique ecosystem of technical and creative talent, suggesting that while production may move elsewhere, LA's infrastructure remains crucial to the industry's future.
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