“AI & Filmmaking: A Sandbox for Generative AI Experimentation in Computer Graphics Education” by Gloor
Conference:
Type(s):
Title:
- AI & Filmmaking: A Sandbox for Generative AI Experimentation in Computer Graphics Education
Session/Category Title:
- Educator's Forum
Presenter(s)/Author(s):
Abstract:
In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, integrating generative AI into graduate-level computer graphics and computer arts curricula presents both opportunities and challenges. This case study examines AI & Filmmaking: A Critical Exploration, taught by Anthony Giacchino in the MFA Computer Arts program at the SVA in Fall 2024. The course is designed as a sandbox environment for experimentation with generative AI tools enabling students and faculty to explore emerging creative methodologies as experiential learning in a supportive environment. In this case study, students collaborated on the production of a silent documentary short film centered on a historical event, employing tools such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Runway alongside traditional animation and filmmaking techniques. Faculty-led research on Joe Petrosino, a notable early 20th-century New York detective and Italian immigrant, provided the factual foundation for the project. The novel approach in using generative AI for the development of a documentary film, a tool for truth-seeking, opened room for discussions around the ethical uses. The course fostered an iterative learning approach, where students tested and refined outputs through creative and technical interventions. It also addresses the evolving role of AI in documentary filmmaking and the challenges posed by the intersection of machine-generated imagery and historical authenticity. The findings contribute to broader discussions on AI’s role in media arts education and its implications for future creative industries. While the framework emphasizes creative and technical development, the future course update will integrate more discussion on the ethical, legal, and societal dimensions of generative AI, such as bias, privacy, copyright, and use of natural resources. These discussions foster critical thinking and prepare students for the responsible integration of AI into their creative practices.
