Is stop-motion animation on the brink of oblivion? Fear not, because visionary director Guillermo del Toro, in collaboration with Netflix and Ted Sarandos, is stepping in to ensure this beloved art form endures. This partnership aims to establish a dedicated training ground, drawing upon the expertise of the esteemed Paris art school Gobelins, to nurture the next generation of stop-motion enthusiasts.
Del Toro, a lifelong champion of stop-motion, notably brought his passion to life with the 2022 film Pinocchio. He recognizes the urgent need to cultivate fresh talent, as he pointed out, "The key figures in stop-motion are all over 50 years old... It's perpetually on the brink of extinction, yet sustained by a dedicated, if slightly eccentric, group. It's a small, passionate community."
But here's where it gets controversial... Enter Ted Sarandos, known for his perspective on AI. He believes AI can assist creators and reduce expenses. However, del Toro holds strong reservations about AI's role in filmmaking. So, how do these two visionaries find common ground in their mission to revitalize stop-motion?
As del Toro succinctly put it, "In an era where AI can infiltrate other forms of animation, stop-motion is AI-proof." While it's challenging to declare anything in the film world entirely "AI-proof," Sarandos's stance is surprisingly aligned. He shared with Variety that he views AI as "a creator's tool, not a creative tool on its own... I think that the idea that AI will out-imagine things and humans is pretty unlikely. It's quite the antithesis of what it's built to do… I don’t get too nervous about it displacing creativity.”
It's easy to criticize Sarandos on certain matters, but his collaboration with del Toro to safeguard stop-motion animation speaks volumes. With the financial support this partnership provides, let's hope it sparks a wave of new stop-motion directors who will revolutionize animation once more. What are your thoughts on the role of AI in animation, and do you agree that stop-motion offers a unique, AI-resistant form of storytelling?
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