Eyes are all around Hollywood as the controversial shining star, Tilly Norwood, an AI actress rises from the depths of cyberspace. MSNBC describes her as an “innovation that no one has asked for.”
A mockery of the art and depth that comes from filmography, a disgrace to the industry, and a blatant show of disrespect towards the acting community—these are my opinions on the subject.
Eline Van der Velden, the comedian and technologist who developed Norwood, explained at a film festival the attention her ‘actor’ has recently received. Several talent agencies have expressed their interest in Norwood, creating outrage in the public’s eye. Worst of all, Van der Velden presents Norwood as the next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman, which, in my opinion, is incredibly distressing due to the threat Norwood poses to future aspiring actresses. According to Vanity Fair, former child actor turned author Mara Wilson wrote on Instagram, “Shame on these people. They have stolen the faces of hundreds of young women to make this AI ‘actress’. They’re not creators. They’re identity thieves.”
At first, many were skeptical of Norwood; however their interest and curiosity have gotten the better of them. Soon, it will be announced who will be representing Norwood, and all we can do is sit and wait until she is on the big silver screen. Though I hope she never makes it, as so many talented actors never do.
Nonetheless, it is essential to acknowledge the remarkable work that has gone into creating Norwood. Many argue that she is not meant to replace the human-art that comes from movie making, but an embodiment of the creativity of all the people who have worked on her. She is an art-form herself, and thus, should be given a chance to break into our cinemas. However, the real question is, what is the point of an AI actress but to give studios the cheaper option? She mimics our actors, so what’s stopping her from replacing them altogether?
Norwood has no human soul. She is 100% computer generated, and I believe her performance in any movie will be as dreadful as it will be soulless.
“An AI actor has no life experience and no amount of clever prompts can replicate the effect of true humanity and soul,” said Emmy-winning director Reed Morano in Vanity Fair. “Thank you for your hollow & empty gift to feed the greedy and for reminding us there’s no floor to how low desperate people will go for money and headlines. Studios don’t buy into this snake oil, you will lose your audience.” Norwood lacks the humanity and wonder that comes from the art of the film industry, and the human and life experiences that create truly ground-breaking performances.
Whether or not you believe Tilly Norwood is a remarkable innovation or a disposable waste of time, it is imperative to understand that not all inventions are good and not all inventions are bad. With the growing fear of AI recently, it is no surprise of the instant backlash this ‘actor’ has faced. I think it is clear where I stand on the matter, but where do you?
