Guillermo del Toro and Ted Sarandos Join Forces to Revitalize Stop-Motion Animation
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In an exciting development for animation enthusiasts, Guillermo del Toro is stepping up to preserve the art of stop-motion animation—teaming up with Netflix to make it a reality. This week, it was revealed that del Toro has partnered with the renowned Parisian art school Gobelins to create a dedicated training facility for aspiring stop-motion animators, igniting hope for the future of this unique art form.
Guillermo del Toro, a passionate advocate for stop-motion, finally made his mark in this arena with the acclaimed 2022 film, Pinocchio. He recognizes that the craft needs ongoing support and rejuvenation. At the recent press conference announcing the initiative, del Toro articulated, "The influential figures in stop-motion are largely over 50… This technique has been teetering on the edge of disappearance for some time. It is only kept alive by a few dedicated individuals who fiercely love it. It truly is a small but devoted community."
However, any discussion involving Ted Sarandos tends to veer into the controversial territory of artificial intelligence. As a vocal supporter of AI technology, Sarandos believes it can not only assist creators but also streamline production costs. In stark contrast, del Toro has been critical of AI's role in the creative process. So, how do these two differing perspectives converge in their shared mission to sustain stop-motion animation?
In del Toro's words, "In an age when AI has the potential to permeate every other animation style, stop-motion stands resilient—it's essentially impervious to AI interference." This assertion might raise eyebrows, especially since the film industry is increasingly revealing that almost nothing is entirely immune to AI influence. Nevertheless, Sarandos has shown a surprising alignment with del Toro’s views, stating in an interview with Variety, "AI should serve as a valuable tool for creators rather than stand alone as a creative force... It’s unlikely that AI will ever surpass human imagination. In fact, it counters the very purpose for which it was designed... I don't lose sleep over it taking away from human creativity."
It's not uncommon to criticize Sarandos on topics like this one, and I've certainly done my share of that in previous articles. Yet the fact that he is actively collaborating with del Toro to ensure the survival of stop-motion animation speaks volumes about their shared commitment. With this partnership comes much-needed financial support, raising hopes for a new generation of stop-motion directors who might once again redefine the landscape of animated storytelling.
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So what do you think? Is AI a helping hand or a hindrance for the future of animation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! Could this partnership between del Toro and Sarandos redefine how we view animation in the digital age?
