A New Variable in Storytelling
In a recent episode of the New AI Project podcast, Notre Dame Professor of Film Production, Ted Mandell, joined a panel to discuss a seismic shift occurring within his industry. The conversation explored the central theme of how generative artificial intelligence is radically transforming the creative process, ethical considerations, and long-term future of filmmaking. The discussion moves beyond technical speculation to grapple with AI’s role as an emergent force in a field built on human expression, starting with the surprising nature of AI as a creative collaborator.
The Unpredictable Muse: AI as a Creative Collaborator
Professor Mandell recounted his experience using AI tools like Google Flow and VO three, where his initial goal to recreate archival footage was quickly derailed by the AI’s unexpected outputs. When he prompted the AI for a “small Midwest town in 1974,” it returned images populated almost exclusively by white people, with all the women having blonde hair. Rather than a roadblock, this biased output became an inspiration; Mandell wrote self-reflective dialogue for the characters, making the film a commentary on its own AI-driven creation. He compared the experience to “trying to teach my dog how to drive a car,” noting how the AI’s surprising interpretations led him down creative paths he had not anticipated. This journey culminated in a short film he felt the AI, in many ways, had “created” itself. This dynamic stands in stark contrast to traditional software like Adobe Illustrator, which only executes precise user commands. Modern AI engages the creator in a cyclical process of prompting, interpretation, and discovery, raising complex new questions about authorship.
The Authenticity Paradox: Redefining “Real” in Film
The conversation then dissected the nuanced debate around authenticity, framing it around a critical distinction: the context of fiction versus non-fiction. Professor Mandell argued that in fiction filmmaking—where nearly every element is manipulated for narrative impact—singling out AI as uniquely “inauthentic” is a flawed premise. Since the goal is to immerse the audience and make them “lose the reality of it,” AI is simply another tool of artifice. This perspective contrasts with a growing concern that defines authenticity by human effort, captured in the sentiment that “human beings should never be secondary to the human experience.”
This debate becomes paramount, however, in the ethical gray area of documentary and historical representation, where the audience presumes a contract of truth with the creator. Mandell posed a hypothetical scenario of animating a still family photograph to create a “home movie,” questioning where the line between enhancement and deception should be drawn. This philosophical challenge underscores the tangible need for new skills to navigate an increasingly complex media landscape.
The Path Forward: A Call for Critical Media Literacy
The panel reached a consensus that with AI technology, “the genie’s out of the bottle.” Consequently, the most robust defense against the inevitable wave of sophisticated, AI-driven misinformation is not regulation alone, but widespread and robust education. Professor Mandell argued forcefully for prioritizing media literacy, describing it as a fundamental life skill that the education system has historically undervalued. He compared its importance to learning to brush one’s teeth—an essential practice for navigating the world safely. The ultimate takeaway from the discussion is clear: as the line between real and artificial continues to dissolve, the most crucial tool for society will be a well-educated, critical audience capable of thoughtfully evaluating the images that shape their world.
