What you need to know
- TCL is releasing an AI-generated film called Next Stop Paris, a trailer for which was just released on YouTube.
- The short film features an original script and human voice actors, but uses generative artificial intelligence for the animation.
- Next Stop Paris appears on TCLtv+, TCL’s free streaming service, and marks the company’s first foray into the world of original content.
TCL, the company we know for budget Android TVs and budget Android smartphones, is now dedicated to creating original content. The new content will appear on the free streaming service TCLtv+ and there will initially be a short film. However, these are not just any films: the newly founded TCLtv+ Studios will produce animated films using generative artificial intelligence.
Generative AI has been used in a number of common applications, including text generation, image generation, and even custom animations. However, the technology is still mature and AI has not yet been used by any major companies for feature-length video animations. That changes with Next Stop Paris, which TCL describes as an “AI-generated special.” It is a short romance film written by human writers and voice actors and also features contributions from human artists. However, most of the animation is handled by artificial intelligence.
TCL hasn’t made any major breakthroughs in AI generative animation, if the trailer for “Next Stop Paris” is any indication. It looks like the company used an AI image generator to create still images and then add some motion to them. It’s very obvious that the trailer was created using artificial intelligence, as you can see anomalies, especially in the characters’ faces. The voice track also doesn’t seem to perfectly match the moving lips, resulting in a viewing experience that can only be described as awkward.
You can see for yourself what TCL’s animated romance film will look like in the YouTube trailer:
Again, it’s not as bad as previous examples of AI animation – you might remember the viral videos of Will Smith eating spaghetti – but it’s certainly not good either. TCL executives want to push boundaries with this AI-generated film and see if viewers like it. Although not explicitly stated, there are obvious cost benefits to TCL creating original content that leverages AI rather than using human animators or a live-action format.
“Story will be at the heart of everything we do,” said Chris Regina, TCL’s chief content officer. “We empower creators and storytellers to use this new technology to enrich the human experience, and we believe creatives with limitless imaginations will drive endless innovation. We see Next Stop Paris as an early experiment and are excited to see how it is received in the city square.”
According to TCL, Next Stop Paris will be released this summer both online and on the TCLtv+ app.