Human Artistry in an AI-Driven Film Industry: Evaluating the Role of Creativity in Hollywood VFX

Abstract

In films, Visual Effects (VFX) are meticulously crafted by skilled artists who painstakingly create and manipulate computer-generated imagery (CGI) to enhance a film’s storytelling and visual aesthetics. However, with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), the landscape of VFX is transforming. Consequently, the widespread implementation of AI has sparked concerns within the film industry about the potential replacement of human contributions, akin to trends observed in other sectors previously dominated by humans. This raises concerns about the value of human artistry, provoking anxiety regarding machine substitution. This study elucidates this issue by strategically analyzing two highly successful augmented reality films using a two-prong research approach—Discourse Analysis and Realism Analysis—and from theoretical lenses, demonstrating that, despite the ascendance of AI, human artistry continues to hold a significant role in creative expression.