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Netflix and AI: 10% Better vs 50% Cheaper

Netflix and AI: 10% Better vs 50% Cheaper

GSplats in Unreal, Face Melting with Today's Tech

April 22, 2025

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More NAB videos still coming off the press.

A few to check out:

XGRIDS LiDAR Scanner - Creates Instant Gaussian Splats
Vu One Mini - $100,000 Portable VP Wall on Wheels
Volinga Brings ACES Color to GSplats
EVO: Cinema Robot Under $20,000

And of course, our speed run through the entire show floor, showing our favorite products.

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Thank you! Now let’s see what Netflix is saying about AI.

Joey

Sarandos: AI Makes Films 10% Better

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos believes AI's greatest potential lies in making films 10% better rather than just 50% cheaper, while also expressing openness to video podcasts and creator-led content as the streaming giant expands its content strategy.

Some highlights from the latest Q1 earnings call:

AI for filmmaking quality: While acknowledging Jim Cameron's comments about AI making movies 50% cheaper, Sarandos emphasized the greater opportunity in quality improvement. Netflix creators are already using AI tools for set references, visual effects preparation, and shot planning to enhance production processes.
Democratizing high-end VFX: Sarandos highlighted how AI is making advanced visual effects accessible to smaller budget productions. He cited Rodrigo Prieto's directorial debut Pedro Paramo, which achieved de-aging effects for a fraction of what similar technology cost on The Irishman just five years earlier.
Video podcasts expansion: When asked about video podcasts, Sarandos noted the blurring lines between podcasts and talk shows, suggesting that as video podcasts grow in popularity, "you'll see some of them find their way to Netflix." The company already produces podcasts as part of its publicity efforts.
Creator economy strategy: Netflix is actively seeking "the next generation of great creators" beyond traditional sources, with Sarandos stating they offer "the best monetization model on the planet for premium storytelling." Recent creator-led successes include Ms. Rachel, Kill Tony, and collaborations with Sidemen.

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3D Gaussian Splat Tech Comes to Unreal Engine

Preferred Networks Inc. has unveiled a new Unreal Engine 5 plugin featuring 3D Gaussian Splatting technology.

The plugin supports advanced lighting features, scene manipulation capabilities, and seamless integration with existing UE5 assets.

Key details about the new plugin:

The technology leverages PFN's proprietary 3D reconstruction techniques to convert real-world spaces into high-definition 3D models using multi-angle photography
Featured capabilities include directional and point relighting, adjustable depth of field, object manipulation, and accurate shadow casting
The plugin will support drag-and-drop importing of 3DGS scenes and combination with traditional polygon meshes in Unreal Engine 5.2 and 5.3
While PFN offers a commercial solution, alternatives exist including XVerse's open-source 3DGS UE Plugin under the Apache 2.0 license
The technology has potential applications across film production, game development, and location-based visualization for tourism and real estate

The Corridor Crew recreated the iconic Indiana Jones face melt scene using both classic and modern VFX.

Stories, projects, and links that caught our attention from around the web:

🐳 Halon Entertainment leveraged LiDAR scanning to digitally preserve and recreate Ms. Blue, a treasured cultural landmark. Now, an interactive film and app are out, allowing the preserved whale scan to reach more people.

🎬 Ryan Coogler's Sinners deal, in which he gets the copyright to the film after 25 years, is making studios wonder if this is the new normal (probably not)

📺 Vimeo is enabling creators to launch their own subscription streaming services, effectively giving them the tools to build personalized Netflix-style platforms

👩🏻‍💻 Meta Horizon Worlds now offers Gen AI tools in its desktop editor, allowing creators in the US, UK, and Canada to generate assets and scripts more efficiently

🧠 Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis discussed on 60 Minutes how DeepMind’s AI advances like AlphaFold and Gemini are shaping practical applications in healthcare and beyond while emphasizing AI safety and ethical challenges

🏟 Cosm is launching its fourth immersive sports and entertainment venue in downtown Detroit, featuring an 85-foot LED dome designed to blend virtual and physical live event experiences