Film director Jason Zada has spent his career telling stories using technology, focusing on how personalization can connect with viewers. He’s known for projects like putting faces on dancing elves, creating the interactive horror experience "Take This Lollipop," and letting people control tourists in virtual Melbourne. More recently, he explored the dangers of deepfakes with an interactive horror film during the pandemic.
His latest project, however, was a departure: a non-interactive short film. This gritty, 1970s New York City-set blaxploitation flick featured a kung fu warrior seeking revenge, big action scenes, special effects, and even the Wu-Tang Clan. What’s remarkable is that this film, which would traditionally cost millions and take months, was made by a small team in under three weeks, all from home.
The Power of Prompts
Zada started as a traditional filmmaker, but he realised that everything seen on screen is essentially a string of text – a prompt. He explains that even on set, he's constantly prompting department heads, translating his vision into text to communicate it. Generative AI allows him to do the same directly. He inputs his ideas as a series of prompts, defining characters like Mandingo, their virtual wardrobe, and even locations like a Chinatown restaurant, the Jade nightclub, or a rooftop dojo. This process, all text-based, resulted in a 4.5-minute music video that felt like a feature film. The real game-changer? Generative AI lets us build massive story worlds in days, not months or years.
Key Takeaways
AI doesn't replace storytellers; it gives them superpowers.
Generative AI can rapidly create complex story worlds.
The core of any project, even with AI, is a strong story.
Time constraints can force decisive action and creativity.
A Live Film Creation
Zada proposed a challenge to the TED audience: help create a short film in just a few days. The audience enthusiastically chose the genre – sci-fi. Then came the character: a beaver. The location? Underwater. The object to drive the story? A big red button, or perhaps a magic sock. This collaborative, unexpected mix became the foundation for a new film.
The Result: "Submerged"
Three days later, Zada shared the outcome. He admitted to a few sleepless nights, particularly wrestling with how to tell a story about a beaver and a magic sock. He stressed that starting with a good story is key, and even with unusual elements like a sci-fi beaver and a magic sock underwater, a solid narrative foundation makes it work. The audience's input created something Zada himself wouldn't have imagined, forcing improvisation and a focus on storytelling fundamentals. The film, titled "Submerged" (after a brief consideration of "Damned"), proved that even with tight deadlines and unconventional ideas, AI can help bring creative visions to life.