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VISUAL CREATORS
For your artistic side.

🚀 First Major Sora-Powered Video Commercial is Out!

The Story: Toys R Us has made a groundbreaking move in the marketing realm by partnering with Native Foreign in April to produce the first-ever brand film utilizing OpenAI's Sora, a generative AI model. The film premiered during the 2024 Cannes Lions Festival and has sparked discussions about generative AI's evolving role in brand storytelling.

The Details:

• The collaboration marks the first instance of a major brand deploying the Sora model for a video commercial, showcasing its text-to-video capabilities.

• Created in just a few weeks, the film significantly reduced hundreds of planned shots to just a handful, emphasizing efficiency in the creative process.

• It tells the story of a young Charles Lazarus, founder of Toys R Us, envisions a magical toy store experience, highlighting nostalgia and innovation.

• Native Foreign's Chief Creative Officer credits the success to Sora's ability to generate images rapidly, complemented by some traditional CGI and VFX.

• The prompt for the film, which Native Foreign openly shared, gives insight into how the magic was achieved through AI.

Why It Matters: This pioneering project illustrates a shift towards AI-driven creative processes, potentially changing how brands produce content. For creatives, this development signifies the growing intersection of technology and artistry, highlighting the need for adaptability in a rapidly evolving landscape. As brands like Toys R Us embrace AI tools, it raises critical questions about creativity, authorship, and the future of storytelling in the digital age. Embracing these innovations could lead to improved efficiency and novel artistic expressions, enticing creatives to explore AI's potential in their projects.

PRODUCTION MASTERY
The commercial aspects of creativity.

🚫 Procreate's Bold Anti-AI Stance Shakes Industry

The Story: James Cuda, CEO of Procreate, declared that his company will never adopt generative AI in its products, sparking significant responses from both the creative and tech communities. While tech enthusiasts criticized his stance, creatives expressed relief and support, appreciating Procreate's commitment to human creativity.

The Details:

• Cuda's anti-AI stance comes as many competitors embrace AI, marking Procreate as a pioneer in prioritizing artistic integrity over innovation trends.

• His statement centered around the belief that the creative journey is essential, and generative AI undermines the process artists undergo to create meaningful work.

• Procreate has gained immense popularity in the creative sphere, boasting over 30 million users who value its commitment to traditional artistry.

• Although enthusiastic about AI a few years ago, Cuda's team concluded that integrating AI into their tools would detract from the authentic creative experience offered by Procreate.

Why It Matters: Cuda's declaration stands as a crucial moment in the ongoing debate about AI's role in creativity. By rejecting generative AI, Procreate aligns itself with a growing movement among artists who fear the devaluation of their craft. This could inspire other companies to prioritize ethical practices in technology development, potentially redefining industry standards and fostering a community that values human creativity over automated processes.

CREATOR ECONOMY
Navigating the digital creative world.

🚨 Telegram CEO Arrested: What’s Next?

The Story: Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, has been arrested in France due to a preliminary investigation linked to the platform's inadequate content moderation policies. Allegations include that Telegram has facilitated serious crimes such as child abuse, money laundering, and drug trafficking.

The Details:

• Durov was detained on August 24 upon arriving at Le Bourget Airport in France, reportedly under an existing warrant.

• Authorities point to Telegram’s inadequate content moderation as a key factor in the platform being exploited for illegal activities.

• Russian officials have sought clarity on Durov’s arrest but have yet to receive a response from French authorities.

• Despite the turmoil, Telegram reassured users that it complies with EU laws and upholds industry-standard moderation practices.

• Prior to his arrest, Telegram had announced new monetization features for creators, introducing paid subscriptions and a digital currency system.

Why It Matters: Durov’s arrest raises significant implications for the creator economy and content moderation on social media platforms. As creators flock to Telegram for its new monetization options, the timing of this legal issue could deter users and advertisers alike. This situation highlights the ongoing struggle of content moderation and corporate responsibility in online platforms—crucial topics for creators navigating an era that increasingly demands accountability and safety from social media giants.

🔥 Press Worthy

📽️ VISUAL CREATORS

Adobe, OpenAI, and Microsoft are rallying behind California's AB 3211, which mandates clear labeling of AI-generated content across images, videos, and audio. This shift follows initial resistance, highlighting the industry's commitment to transparency and accountability amid rising misinformation concerns.

Be My AI, a collaboration between Be My Eyes and OpenAI, is transforming how visually impaired individuals engage with art. It harnesses ChatGPT-4’s vision model to offer detailed descriptions and discussions about images, enhancing access to visual culture for artists like John Dugdale.

📈 PRODUCTION MASTERY

Strada AI shines at IBC 2024, showcasing its award-winning search and collaboration tools. Winning praise for speedy workflows, it helps creatives save time and enhance control. With private beta testers still welcome, this innovative platform is transforming the industry!

Sony unveils its HXR-NX800 and PXW-Z200, two 4K handheld camcorders packed with AI features for enhanced tracking and framing. With a versatile 20x zoom lens and high-sensitivity CMOS sensors, these devices promise portability and robust functionality for broadcast and education, launching September 2024.

🎭 CREATOR ECONOMY

The University of Texas at San Antonio now offers a bachelor’s in digital media influence, aimed at aspiring content creators. The program trains students in psychology, persuasion, and media skills, preparing them for a booming $250 billion influencer market, projected to hit $480 billion soon.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has acknowledged past mistakes in handling government suppression requests, especially regarding COVID and the Hunter Biden laptop saga. He admitted to regrets over yielding to pressures that led to censorship, asserting the need to uphold content standards regardless of governmental influence.

📚 Learn & Grow

📽️ VISUAL CREATORS

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• The Paintings That Inspired David Lynch's Cinematic Style and Philosophy

📈 PRODUCTION MASTERY

• How to Pitch Creative Services to Large Corporations

• Steve Jobs Foresaw the Collapse of the Camera Market 6 Years Before it Happened

🎭 CREATOR ECONOMY

• We need to talk more about follower retention on social

• Why TikTok is full of teleshopping right now