After The Brutalist had a successful Oscar award-winning night, one of its producers, D.J. Gugenheim, has decided to defend the production’s use of artificial intelligence. In a conversation with Deadline at the Oscars on Sunday night, Gugenheim emphasizes that AI usage serves as just another tool in filmmaking. That said, how will this technology affect the film industry moving forward?
D.J Gugenheim Response to AI Usage
D.J. Gugenheim explained that the various tools, including lighting adjustments and sound editing, are used in post-production, particularly for data and number manipulation. Gugenheim also stressed that trusting actors, creatives, and talent to bring The Brutalist to life is extremely important. Additionally, he believed that AI should only enhance the process without replacing an individual’s job.
According to the director, he wanted to create the best possible version of The Brutalist by making sure no one loses their role in the production. While highlighting the ongoing debate about AI’s controversial role in the entertainment industry, this perspective also balances both innovation and ethical considerations. And yet, for many, the primary concern with this technology arises with potential job loss.
The Brutalist Utilizes AI for Language Correction
Although the team behind The Brutalist confessed to AI usage, its editor, Dávid Jancsó, spoke more on the issue in a Red Shark News interview earlier this year. Jancsó revealed that the AI tools came from a Ukrainian software company, Respeeche, that was used to refine the dialogue spoken by stars Adrien Brody, who won this year’s Oscar Best Actor award, and Felicity Jones.
As a native Hungarian speaker, Jancsó discussed the challenges of mastering the language’s pronunciation, stating it’s one of the hardest languages to learn. Despite Brody and Jones receiving coaching and delivering strong performances, the team aimed for perfection, not wanting even native speakers to detect any discrepancies. Ultimately, the use of AI allows the enhancement of authenticity without overshadowing each actor’s contribution.
Generative AI Usage Designs Character Style
During filming, Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones recorded their voices using AI software to get their pronunciations right. According to Jancsó, he also contributed his own voice to the software to refine specific aspects of the Hungarian dialect. In the final sequence of The Brutalist, generative AI was used to produce a series of architectural drawings and completed buildings. Ultimately, this artwork was designed to reflect the style of an architect, fitting Brody’s character.
This revelation, sparking debate about AI usage in filmmaking, prompted calls for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to implement disclosure rules for future projects. Addressing these concerns, D.J. Gugenheim expressed support for transparency, welcoming the Academy’s interest in understanding the use of this technology in film production.
Director Brady Corbet’s Variety Interview
Following Jancsó’s interview, director Brady Corbet addressed the controversy when speaking to Variety, clarifying the AI usage in The Brutalist. While emphasizing that Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones’ performances were entirely their own, both actors dedicated months perfecting their accents with the help of dialect coach Tanera Marshall. To ensure linguistic accuracy without altering the English-speaking performances, the Respeecher technology was only used to refine certain vowels and letters in the Hungarian language.
Alongside the Respeecher technology, the sound team carried out this meticulous, manual process during post-production. This approach not only preserves the authenticity of the actors’ work but also respects the craft of filmmaking. Additionally, Corbet addressed concerns about the visual elements in The Brutalist, stating that neither production designer Judy Becker nor her team used AI to create or render any buildings as they were hand-drawn by artists. In one example, he explained that the editorial team intentionally designed one scene in the memorial video to resemble 1980s low-quality digital renderings.
The Brutalist Isn’t the Only One Using AI
Notably, The Brutalist wasn’t the only Oscar-nominated film this year to incorporate AI into its production. As revealed by re-recording mixer Cyril Holtz in an interview at Cannes last year, Karla Sofia Gascon had her vocal range expanded for the film Emilia Pérez. Similarly, the technology was used in Dune: Part Two to create the iconic glowing blue eyes of Freman characters.
Moreover, Visual Effects Supervisor Paul Lambert explained that a model-learning model was developed, trained on the film’s footage to identify human eyes and generate precise mattes for different eye components. What’s more, the Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, was used sparingly, specifically for three brief wide shots involving a motorcycle without impacting the film’s performance or creative elements.
Future of AI Use in Film Production
These examples show that AI usage continues to grow in modern filmmaking, serving as a tool to enhance specific aspects of production without overshadowing the actors’ and creators’ artistry. While the industry continues to explore AI’s potential, responsible usage ensures it doesn’t replace the human touch in great storytelling but complements it.
