In this episode of Denoised, hosts Joey Daoud and Addy Ghani explore a diverse range of topics affecting the entertainment industry, from the resurgence of film projection and theatrical experiences to the integration of AI in both visual effects and streaming platforms. The discussion provides valuable insights into how both traditional and cutting-edge technologies are shaping the future of media production and consumption.

The Return of Film and the Future of Theater Experience

The episode kicks off with an in-depth discussion about Ryan Coogler's upcoming film Sinners and the notable revival of interest in traditional film formats. Coogler recently appeared in a Kodak video explaining the unique technical aspects of how the film was shot, combining two different 70mm formats - IMAX and Panavision's Ultra Panavision 70.

"It's exciting that he shot it this way. It's exciting that he is explaining it. Also, it's exciting that the video has been doing so well," Joey notes, pointing to the positive reception of this technical film discussion on social media platforms.

The hosts explore why this renewed interest in film formats is emerging now:

• The film was shot on both Panavision 70mm and IMAX 70mm formats simultaneously - a first in cinema history

• There are only 10 theaters worldwide where audiences can see the film as intended in its full IMAX 70mm presentation

• This format creates a unique viewing experience that cannot be replicated at home on streaming services

Addy offers a thoughtful perspective on this resurgence: "I think it's a philosophical debate. What is film, what is cinema? The reason why we're getting a lot of traction is that there is so much content out there... What is truly authentically cinema? What was it 50 years ago? 100 years ago? What is the origin story?"

The hosts also discuss how films like Minecraft are drawing younger audiences back to theaters, challenging the narrative that Gen Z isn't interested in theatrical experiences. The conversation extends to the ongoing rally to save LA's iconic Cinerama Dome, which has been dormant since the pandemic forced ArcLight Cinemas to close.

Key takeaways:

• Film formats are experiencing a resurgence as filmmakers and audiences seek authentic, differentiated viewing experiences

• Theatrical releases are finding success when they offer something that can't be replicated at home

• The "mid-budget" film ($15-20 million range) is making a modest comeback, with films like Warfare showing potential for profitability

James Cameron on AI and Visual Effects

The second major topic revolves around James Cameron's recent comments about AI integration in visual effects workflows during his appearance on the Boz from the Future podcast with Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth.

Cameron's vision for AI in VFX centers on efficiency rather than replacement:

"We gotta figure out how to cut the cost of [visual effects] in half," Cameron stated. "That's not about laying off half the staff at a VFX company, that's about doubling their speed to completion on a given shot."

The hosts analyze how this perspective aligns with their previous discussions about the VFX industry's challenges following major layoffs at companies like Technicolor:

• AI tools could eliminate tedious tasks like rotoscoping and manual correction of motion capture data

• Technologies similar to those in DaVinci Resolve 20's Magic Matte or Adobe Photoshop's selection tools demonstrate how AI can streamline workflows

• The goal is to allow VFX artists to focus on creative aspects rather than repetitive technical work

Addy predicts a significant transformation in VFX budgets: "I would even go as far as to say that it's perhaps a near-term, 50% reduction in budget and a longer term... maybe 70% or 80% reduction in budget with the same level of expectation."

The discussion also covers Cameron's perspective on AI and copyright, with the director suggesting that the focus should be on outputs rather than inputs:

"I think the whole thing needs to be managed from a legal perspective as what's the output, not what's the input," Cameron said, comparing AI learning to how human creatives absorb influences while still needing to create original work.

Key takeaways:

• AI in VFX is focused on improving efficiency rather than replacing artists

• Specific tasks like rotoscoping, relighting, and motion capture cleanup are prime candidates for AI assistance

• The ethical questions around AI-generated content should focus on the final output and its originality

Netflix Tests OpenAI for Search Enhancement

The final segment examines Netflix's testing of OpenAI technology to improve its search functionality for TV shows and movies.

The hosts express skepticism about whether search is actually the problem Netflix needs to solve:

"For me, I feel like the issue with Netflix and a lot of the streaming is not necessarily search... It's the recommendations," Joey explains, noting that he often discovers Netflix content through external platforms rather than Netflix's own recommendation engine.

Addy elaborates on the complexity of recommendation systems compared to search: "Recommendations is such a harder problem to solve than search... With the recommendation engine, you're building a really accurate, multifaceted, multidimensional profile of each individual user."

The discussion expands to compare recommendation engines across platforms:

• Netflix has already been using machine learning for recommendations before the current AI boom

• YouTube potentially has the most advanced recommendation system due to its vast and diverse creator base

• Apple TV could leverage its position as a central hub for multiple streaming services to provide cross-platform recommendations

Key takeaways:

• Netflix is testing OpenAI integration for search, but recommendation systems present a more complex challenge

• Effective recommendations must account for varied tastes and changing moods

• Platforms that can analyze viewing habits across multiple services may have an advantage in recommendation quality

Conclusion

This episode of Denoised offers a comprehensive look at how traditional filmmaking techniques are finding new relevance alongside cutting-edge AI technologies. From the theatrical experience of 70mm film projection to the integration of AI in visual effects workflows and streaming platforms, the media landscape continues to evolve in ways that blend the best of both worlds.

The common thread through these discussions is how technology can enhance rather than replace the human elements that make cinematic experiences meaningful. Whether it's the authentic film experience that Ryan Coogler is creating with Sinners, the efficiency improvements James Cameron envisions for VFX, or the personalized recommendations we seek from our streaming services, the goal remains connecting audiences with content in the most impactful way possible.