[echelon]

This is what is wrong with Disney and why they'll struggle with the upcoming creator economy. They double down on their IP, and never stray too far from the familiar.

Yes, it's a successful equation when single films are expensive to make. Increasingly, you can satisfy audiences with less expenditure and a more tailored experience.

One thing going for big franchises is merchandising, but I'm not so sure micro merchandise won't find just as large a market. YouTooz, etc.

[NateEag]

Uhhhh...

Disney owns some of the most successful producers of new content and franchises in recent years - Pixar and Marvel Studios.

And, say what you will about the terrible Star Wars sequels they just cranked out, I've heard rave reviews of The Mandalorian from everyone I know who's watched it. Also Rogue One, which actually did feel like a tragedy set in the classic Star Wars universe.

Suffice to say I think you're wrong here.

[echelon]

In ten years more content will be produced per year than in the past 50 years combined. New methods will make this dead simple for people to create at home. It will achieve the same photo realism that today's high budgeted, high production value projects have.

Clutching onto franchises doesn't work in this new paradigm when kids can make their own Star Wars movies in their basement.

[NateEag]

It takes a whole lot of time and effort to learn to write well enough to be at all worth listening to.

I do see your point that the tech may eventually make writing skills the only crucial element in filmmaking, though.

... actually, I'll put acting / characterization on the crucial list.

I doubt software will ever be able to read a script then infer and depict a character's emotions and motivations as well as a skilled actor can.

[echelon]

> I doubt software will ever be able to read a script then infer and depict a character's emotions and motivations as well as a skilled actor can.

Read? It'll be writing too.

Long bet 10 years?

I'm working on building this.

[NateEag]

I don't gamble, but I am tempted by the long bet suggestion.

I have a hard time seeing how we'd define a shared criteria for what constitutes "skilled actor", as well as "good writing".

I wouldn't be surprised if you could automate things like soap operas pretty convincingly.

I would be shocked if software managed to produce something as compelling as The Expanse without extensive, nuanced human control of it.

Just how automated are you aiming for? What level of literary quality is your goal here?

At heart I'm a musician and minor lit nerd who learned to program instead of following my passions because it was a good career that used creative skills. That means I have Opinions on literature and artwork. I love generative algorithmic stuff like procedural C64 demos and generative compositions but don't see a way to achieve great automated storytelling without cracking general AI, which I see as likely unachievable.

[supertrope]

They won't be making "Star Wars" remixes due to copyright but they can blather on about it on YouTube. Internet mass media will dominate screen time and eventually dollars spent. Netflix's CEO bragged their greatest competition is Fortnite and sleep.

I agree that the explosion of mass media content means there's never been a better time to be a couch potato.